To receive the best protection against serious illness or death from COVID-19, you should get all the recommended doses for your age or individual health needs. Boosters are important to maintain this protection.
Booster doses are free for everyone.
Information about booster doses is also available in your language.
Booster doses
All adults can get a booster if it’s been 6 months or longer since their last COVID-19 booster or confirmed infection (whichever is most recent) for additional protection against severe illness from COVID.
This is particularly recommended for people at higher risk of severe illness, including:
- everyone 65 years and over
- everyone 18 years and over with medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs.
Children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 with health conditions that put them at risk of severe illness can also get a booster dose if it’s been 6 months since their last dose or COVID-19 infection, based on an individual risk assessment with their immunisation provider.
Booster doses are not recommended at this time for children and adolescents aged 18 years or under who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.
All vaccines are approved for use in Australia and continue to provide very strong protection against serious illness from COVID-19, however, Omicron-specific bivalent vaccines are preferred for boosters.
The date you had your last COVID-19 vaccine is on your COVID-19 digital certificate.
How to book booster doses
To book a booster dose, use the COVID-19 Clinic Finder or use ‘Hey Eva’ – Easy Vaccine Access.
EVA, is a simple callback service to help people book a COVID-19 vaccine.
If you need help making a COVID-19 vaccine booking, SMS ‘Hey EVA’ to 0481 611 382. A trained call agent from the National Coronavirus Helpline will call you to help book your COVID-19 vaccination.
Booster program for residential aged care
A booster program is taking place in residential aged care facilities. Read more about the COVID-19 booster dose vaccination program in residential aged care.
Booster program for people with disability
A booster program is being rolled out for people with disability who live in shared residential accommodation. Learn more about the COVID-19 booster dose program for people with disability living in shared residential accommodation.
Safety of COVID-19 booster doses
Common, mild side effects following a booster dose look similar to the side effects following the first 2 doses.
See information about COVID-19 vaccine safety and side effects.