Your primary course of vaccination
Your primary course of vaccination is the first time you receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Most people now only need 1 first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as their primary course. You may need 2 doses if you are at high risk of severe illness.
Talk to your usual healthcare provider to decide how many primary course doses you need. Most Australians have already received their primary course of vaccination.
| 6 months to 5 years | 5 years to 18 years | 18 years and older | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Without risk factors | Not eligible | Not eligible | Recommended a single primary dose |
| With risk factors* | Eligible for 2 primary doses and eligible for a third primary dose | Eligible for a single primary dose | Recommended a single primary dose |
| With severe immunocompromise | Recommended 2 primary doses and eligible for a third dose | Recommended 2 primary doses and eligible for a third dose | Recommended 2 primary doses and eligible for a third dose |
|
Advice about regular COVID-19 booster vaccinations
Regular COVID-19 vaccinations (also known as boosters) are the best way to maintain your protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.
They are especially important for anyone aged 65 years or older and people at higher risk of severe COVID-19.
As with all vaccinations, people are encouraged to discuss the vaccine options available to them with their health practitioner. You can also use the booster eligibility tool to determine whether you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccination.
| Less than 5 years | 5 to 17 years | 18 to 64 years | 65 to 74 years | 75 years and older | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Without severe immunocompromise | Not recommended | Not recommended | Eligible for a dose every 12 months | Recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months | Recommended every 6 months |
| With severe immunocompromise | Not recommended | Eligible for a dose every 12 months | Recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months | Recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months | Recommended every 6 months |
Find a vaccine service
The healthdirect Service Finder can help you find a vaccine provider near you. It also identifies clinics that cater to special requirements like ramp access and quiet spaces.
All COVID-19 vaccinations are free to all people in Australia, including those without a Medicare card.
It is safe and efficient to receive your COVID-19 vaccine alongside your flu vaccine or other routine vaccinations, including those for children over 5 years old and teens.
Possible side effects
The most frequently reported side effects include injection-site reactions, such a sore arm. Other reported side effects include:
- headache
- muscle pain
- fever and chills
- fatigue.
These side effects typically last no more than a couple of days, and you will recover without any problems. Visit healthdirect for more information about side effects.
If you’ve had COVID-19
Regular COVID-19 vaccination is recommended even in individuals who have had a past infection.
There are no safety concerns for individuals receiving a COVID-19 vaccine who may have had a recent COVID-19 infection.
Immunisation history
You can obtain proof of your vaccination by accessing your immunisation history statement.
Visit Services Australia for information on how to get immunisation history statements.
More information
If you have any questions about vaccines, talk to your regular healthcare provider.
We encourage you to rely on credible information to make informed choices about the vaccine you receive.
Like your other vaccinations, we encourage you to discuss COVID-19 vaccine options available to you with your healthcare provider. They can help you decide how frequently you have your regular dose with an individual risk–benefit assessment.