All adults who have not had a COVID-19 booster or a confirmed case of the virus in the past six months will be able to get another booster.
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Health Minister Mark Butler said the government had accepted advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), with the recommendation taking effect from February 20.
The recommendation for a booster is for people whose most recent COVID-19 vaccine or infection was six months ago or more, irrespective of how many prior doses that person has received.
ATAGI experts have recommended that everyone at risk of severe illness - those aged 65 years and over as well as younger adults who have medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs - have a booster dose this year.
An additional booster will not be provided for under-18s, except where children aged five and older have health conditions that would put them at risk of severe illness.
Omicron-specific mRNA booster vaccines are preferred over other vaccines, with four million doses available now and another 10 million arriving later this month.
Aged-care providers will be encouraged to bring local GPs and pharmacists into their facilities to deliver the booster doses.
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Australian Associated Press
