This post is not the latest immunisation update and therefore may contain information or advice that is out of date. Please see our most recent update here.
General population adults 50+ are recommended to receive 4 doses (2 primary + 2 booster doses)
General population includes the elderly and aged care facility residents
People aged 30 to 49 years old can receive 4 doses (2 primary + 2 booster doses) if they choose
ATAGI has reviewed its booster dose advice for COVID-19 vaccines in the context of increasing case numbers in Australia and the emergence of the XBB and BQ.1 Omicron subvariants.
ATAGI has made no new recommendations at this time, including no changes to the number of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses recommended.
ATAGI emphasises the importance of remaining up to date with recommended doses of COVID- 19 vaccines, especially for people aged 65 years and older and those at higher risk of severe COVID-19.
Pfizer Bivalent (Grey) 18+ booster – Commences 12 December 2022
ATAGI recommends the Pfizer (Comirnaty) Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1 vaccine for use as a booster dose in people aged 18 years and older. The Pfizer Bivalent (Grey) will commence in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program for boosters in people aged 18 years or older from 12 December 2022.
ATAGI recommendations:
Eligibility: Pfizer bivalent vaccine can be used for any booster dose in people aged 18 years or older, according to the current ATAGI booster dose recommendations.
Timing & intervals: Booster doses should be given at least 3 months after previous COVID-19 infection or last COVID-19 vaccine dose
Co-administration: Pfizer bivalent vaccine can be co-administered with other non-COVID vaccines, as per current ATAGI clinical guidance.
Important – Pfizer bivalent vaccine is:
NOT recommended for primary course of vaccination (first 2 doses in general population, or first 3 doses in severely immunocompromised people).
NOT recommended for anyoneunder 18 years
Onboarding for Pfizer Bivalent 18+ (Grey)
Onboarding: all participating sites will be automatically onboarded for Pfizer Bivalent (grey) – there will be no EOI process
Tranches: sites will be automatically allocated into one of two tranches
Ordering: tranche 1 can commence ordering on Saturday 19 November 2022
Next steps: onboarding letters will be issued to all participating sites shortly
Pfizer (Maroon) 6 months to 4 years– Commences 16 January 2023
ATAGI recommends the Pfizer (Maroon)6 months to 4 years COVID-19 vaccine as a primary course of vaccination for children in certain at-risk population groups. The recommendation is for 3 primary doses, with 8 week interval between each dose. The Pfizer (Maroon) will commence in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program for children aged 6 months to 4 years from 16 January 2023.
There is no preference for either the Moderna 6 months to under 5 years or Pfizer 6 months to 4 years; however, completion of a primary schedule with the same brand of vaccine is recommended.
ATAGI does not recommend vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years who are not in the risk categories for severe COVID-19.
Onboarding for Pfizer (Maroon)6 months to 4 years
Onboarding: all participating Pfizer sites will be automatically onboarded for Pfizer (Maroon) – there will be no EOI process
Tranches: sites will be automatically allocated into one of two tranches
Ordering: tranche 1 can commence ordering on Saturday 3 December 2022
Next steps: onboarding letters will be issued to Pfizer participating sites shortly
CVAS updates
CVAS Delivery Acceptance – CVAS will require sites to submit their delivery acceptance reports before new orders can be placed.
Vaccine Consumables – ensure that any consumables ordered via CVAS are only used for the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.
Vaccine Disposal – dispose of COVID-19 Vaccination Program waste in the provided sharps bins.
Vaccines stimulate your body’s natural defence systems, making your immune system stronger (not weaker)
Your immune system is then better able to recognise serious diseases and defeat them.
Your child needs to receive every vaccine on time, every time, for the best protection.
Expansion of the NSW pharmacist vaccination program
From 14 November 2022, NSW pharmacists can administer a wider range of public health and travel vaccinations including Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis, Typhoid and Zoster (Shingrix only, not Zostavax).
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