COVID-19 boosters

Are you aged 65 or older? If so, this information about COVID boosters is for you. New recommendations from the Australian Government update the advice for older people about vaccination booster doses and whether to have one.

COVID-19 has not gone away, and age is the biggest factor in the risk of having a severe case. Older people more likely than younger people to become seriously ill, be hospitalised or die from the disease. Vaccination offers the best protection for older Australians.

Updated vaccination booster advice

The December 2023 update advises:

• For people aged 75 and over who have not had a vaccination booster or a confirmed case of COVID in the past 6 months, an additional dose of the booster vaccination is recommended.

• For all people aged 65 and over who have not had a COVID booster at all in the past 12 months, a booster dose is recommended.

• People aged 65 to 74 who have not had a vaccination booster or confirmed case of COVID in the past 6 months should consider getting an additional dose.

• People aged 18 to 64 who are severely immunocompromised should consider getting an additional dose after discussion with their health care provider.

Boosters should be obtained as soon as possible. If you are unsure whether you’ve had COVID-19 in the past 6 months, it’s safe to get a booster anyway.

However, if you’ve had COVID-19 within the last 3 months, a booster dose won’t provide much benefit.

Which vaccine?

All the available vaccines make cases of COVID-19 less severe. However, the Monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines are the preferred option.

The previous numbering system for recording vaccination doses has stopped, and it doesn’t matter now how many doses you’ve had before 2023.

Oral antiviral treatments for older people

Oral antivirals are available to people 70 years and older and others who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The treatments may help stop an infection from becoming serious.

If you are aged 70 or older or have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition, talk to your doctor about whether they are right for you and how you can get them quickly if you need them.

Oral antiviral treatments for older people must be started as soon as possible after COVID-19 symptoms begin – within 5 days, at the most.

For more information about eligibility for oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Where to get more information

• For more information about the vaccination program, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website

• To get a vaccination booster, see your doctor or pharmacist or visit the online Healthdirect Service Finder

• To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist or visit the online Healthdirect Service Finder

• To book an appointment at a vaccine clinic, visit the online Healthdirect Service Finder

• For COVID-19 advice, call the Healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222