Older Australians and anyone eligible for a booster can benefit from getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine before an expected festive season wave.
The new Pfizer JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine is now available. The vaccine targets a more recent variant of the virus than previous ones.
As the virus evolves, vaccine companies update their vaccines to keep them as effective as possible.
Boosters are particularly important for aged care residents, as they are more vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 because of their age and health.
Free COVID-19 vaccines can be accessed through GPs, pharmacists, community health centres or Aboriginal health services.
Residential aged care providers are responsible for facilitating timely access to vaccinations for their residents as soon as they are eligible.
All adults 75 and over are recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster doses every 6 months.
People 65 to 74 are recommended boosters every 12 months. They can consider further doses every 6 months.
Vaccinations are recommended every 6 months for people 65 and older with compromised immunity.
People 18 to 64 without severe immunocompromise can consider booster doses every 12 months.
