COVID-19 vaccine

In Australia, most adults are recommended to receive two doses for their primary course of COVID­19 vaccination. Depending on your personal circumstances, additional doses (also known as booster doses) may be recommended for optimal protection against the virus.

For example, adults with medical comorbidities (immunocompromised or have certain health conditions) may require three doses for their primary course, plus booster doses. Other population groups may be recommended to have additional booster doses of a COVID­19 vaccine, such people aged over 50 years, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, or adults who live in a disability, residential, or aged care facility.

Since 1 September 2023, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated advice (external site) recommending that all adults aged 75 years and over should receive an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose if 6 months have passed since their last dose. 

Since February 2023, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) (external site) recommends a booster dose for adults if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer:

• All adults aged 65 years and over; and
• Adults aged 18-64 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.

ATAGI advises the following groups should consider a 2023 booster dose if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, and regardless of the number of prior doses received, based on an individual risk benefit assessment with their immunisation provider:

• All adults aged 18-64 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19; and
• Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs

ATAGI advise that a booster dose is not recommended at this time for children and adolescents aged under the age of 18 who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.

It’s important to speak to your usual medical provider about the number of COVID­19 vaccines that are recommended for you.

Use the Service Finder (external site) to find a participating GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Service near you. While the COVID-19 vaccine is free, some consultation charges may apply. 

You can also text or SMS ‘Hey EVA’ to 0481 611 382, to receive a call back from a National Coronavirus Helpline representative who will help you find a vaccination appointment for yourself, or the person you are booking an appointment for. Hours of operation are 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week.

Once you text ‘Hey EVA,’ you will receive a templated response text message reply asking for you name, language (if required), time and date for a call back, and your preferred contact number. A specially trained call taker from the National Coronavirus Helpline will call you back and book a vaccine appointment that suits your needs.

If you have a disability or require special assistance to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your preferred participating GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Services, or SMS ‘Hey EVA’ to 0481 611 382.

WA’s mandatory vaccination policy no longer applies, however individual employers, workplaces, and certain professions may require their employees and visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19. You may also be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel overseas.

It is advised to check with the organisation, or for overseas travel, Smartraveller (external site), to confirm what proof of vaccination you may be required to provide.

For vaccinations received in Australia, examples of proof could include:

• COVID-19 and influenza (flu) immunisation history (external site), with an acceptable form of ID, shows only your COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Complete immunisation history statement (external site), with an acceptable form of ID, shows your COVID-19 vaccinations and all other vaccinations you have had.
• Written confirmation of vaccination issued by the Department of Health, with an acceptable form of ID.

In addition to the above, the following apps can also be used to show your COVID-19 vaccinations:

• ServiceWA app (external site), the WA Government’s free, convenient, and secure mobile application to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations
• Express Plus Medicare mobile app (external site) using your Medicare online account through MyGov.

If you received an approved COVID-19 vaccine overseas (external site), you can have it recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) when you return to Australia.

You can ask a registered vaccination provider (like a GP or pharmacy) to record your overseas COVID-19 vaccinations on the AIR, even if you’ve received mixed doses of approved vaccines.

You will need to provide documentation in English of your vaccination. A free translating service (external site) is available if you need help to translate your document. If you need an interpreter, please call the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) on 131 450.

Once they’ve been added, you’ll be able to use your COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement as proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations.

Visit the Services Australia How to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccine website (external site) or adding overseas vaccinations (external site) for information. 

Everyone aged 5 years and older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination.

Some young children aged 6 months – 4 years may also be eligible if they have severe immunocompromise, disability, complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase their risk of severe COVID-19. Speak to your child’s usual medical provider to find out if they are eligible. More information is available on the Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site) and these appointments can be booked through the Service Finder (external site).

In Australia, COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended for children under 5 years of age, unless they meet the specified criteria (external site). These children have a very low likelihood of severe illness from COVID-19.

Which vaccine can my child receive?

Children aged:

• 6 months to under 5 years, if eligible: age-appropriate dose of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine
• 5-11 years: age-appropriate dose of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine
• 12 years and over: can receive either the Pfizer (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), or Novavax (Nuvaxovid) COVID-19 vaccines

For booster doses, if eligible, the Pfizer (Comirnaty)  vaccine is the recommended COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-17 years.

Novavax (Nuvaxovid) can be given as a booster dose in adolescents aged 12 years and older if the Pfizer of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are unsuitable.

Note: Booster doses of the vaccine are not recommended for healthy children and adolescents aged under 15 years.

Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines are only recommended for certain eligible children aged 5-15 years, such as those with a disability, significant or complex health needs and/or health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19. Speak to your child’s usual medical provider to find out if they are eligible. More information is available on the ATAGI website (external site). 

When can my child get a COVID-19 vaccination?

This infograph (external site) explains when your child can get a COVID-19 vaccination.

If your child has recently tested positive to COVID-19, it is recommended they wait 3 months after their infection, before receiving their next COVID-19 vaccination. Waiting 3 months is likely to lead to a better immune response and result in longer protection from reinfection with the virus. 

How many doses does my child need?

This Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site) explains how many doses of a COVID-19 vaccination your child may need.

The below information is for children and adolescents aged 6 months – 17 years.

In Australia, children aged 5 years and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Most children are recommended to receive two doses for their primary course of COVID-19 vaccination.  

Some young children aged 6 months – 4 years may also be eligible for vaccination if they have severe immunocompromise, disability, complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase their risk of severe COVID-19. Speak to your child’s usual medical provider to find out if they are eligible. More information is available on the ATAGI website (external site).

Depending on their personal circumstances and medical history, additional doses of a COVID-19 vaccination may be recommended for optimal protection against the virus. 

It’s important to speak to your usual medical provider about the number of COVID-19 vaccines that are recommended for your child.

Vaccination for children requiring assistance

If your child has a disability or requires special assistance to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your preferred participating GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Services to find out how they might be able to help.

You can also text or SMS ‘Hey EVA’ to 0481 611 382, to receive a call back from a National Coronavirus Helpline representative who will help you find a vaccination appointment for the person you are booking an appointment for. Hours of operation are 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week.

Once you text ‘Hey EVA,’ you will receive a templated response text message reply asking for your name, language (if required), time and date for a call back, and your preferred contact number. A specially trained call taker from the National Coronavirus Helpline will call you back and book a vaccine appointment that suits your needs.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site) explains recommendations for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding should get vaccinated against COVID-19 and are encouraged to discuss vaccination with their health professional. Women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to delay vaccination or avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination.

Pregnant women have a higher risk of severe illness if they are infected with COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant women with COVID-19 of the same age. This includes an increased risk of:

• Hospitalisation
• Admission to an intensive care unit (ICU)
• Invasive ventilation

There is also an increased risk of complications for the baby during pregnancy including a higher risk of stillbirth and being born prematurely.

Vaccination is the best way to reduce these risks.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) (external site) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) (external site) recommended that pregnant women are offered up to three doses of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) or Moderna (Spikevax) COVID-19 vaccines at any stage of pregnancy. The Novavax COVID-19 can also be used in pregnancy. There is limited safety data regarding the use of Novavax in pregnancy. It is recommended you discuss your vaccination requirements with your preferred medical provider.

All available vaccines in Australia undergo rigorous testing and are only made available once they have been proven safe and effective for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (external site).

COVID-19 vaccine side effects

The COVID-19 vaccine side effect checker (external site) can be used if you have had a COVID-19 vaccination and think you may be experiencing side effects. If you are feeling unwell or have concerns, contact your GP or usual medical practitioner.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call triple zero (000).

The most common side effects after COVID-19 vaccination are usually mild and include:

• pain, redness and/or swelling where you received the needle
• headache
• fatigue
• muscle and/or joint ache
• mild fever.

When they occur, these symptoms typically start within 24 hours of vaccination, last one to two days, and resolve without treatment.

These types of reactions are often a sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and helping to teach your body how to fight off COVID-19 if you are later exposed to the virus.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) have also provided Guidance on Myocarditis and Pericarditis after COVID-19 Vaccinations (external site).

Myocarditis and/or pericarditis are rare side effects that have been associated with all brands of COVID-19 vaccine currently used in Australia. The available data suggests the risk is higher after an mRNA vaccine and is greater following Spikevax (Moderna) compared to Comirnaty (Pfizer).

Myocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis refers to inflammation of the thin sac that surrounds the heart. These conditions can occur separately or together (myopericarditis). Myocarditis and pericarditis are seen in the general population from a variety of causes, and not all cases that occur after vaccination are necessarily caused by the vaccine.

Pericarditis and myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccines have been mostly reported in males aged 16-40 years of age, and mostly after the second dose. However, these conditions do occur in both females and males, at any age, and after any dose, including a third or fourth dose.

If you are concerned about your risk of myocarditis please discuss your choice of vaccine with your GP/vaccine provider.

Vaccination remains the best way to protect against COVID-19 and its related complications. Leaving 8 weeks between your doses of mRNA vaccine may reduce your risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.

Most individuals have a higher risk of complications (including myocarditis/pericarditis) from COVID-19 infection than from a vaccination.

For details on the possible side effects of each vaccine, see:

• Comirnaty (Pfizer) (external site)
• Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) (external site)
• Spikevax (Moderna) (external site)
• Nuvaxovid (Novavax) (external site)

When to seek help

Serious reactions, like allergic reactions, are extremely rare. If you have a reaction that is unexpected, or if you are unsure, consult with your GP.

If you believe your reaction is severe or life-threatening you should call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to your closest emergency department.

Contact your doctor or health care professional or go directly to a hospital if you have:

• a reaction that you consider severe or unexpected
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• swelling in your leg
• persistent abdominal (belly) pain
• severe and persistent headaches, blurred vision, or other neurological symptoms
• tiny blood spots under the skin that are not at the site of injection.

Reporting COVID-19 vaccine side effects

Any reactions causing you concern, whether minor or serious, should be reported to the Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system (external site).

Your immunisation provider, GP, or other health professional should report all suspected significant reactions, but you can also do it yourself on the WAVSS reporting website (external site).

Additionally, you may receive a follow-up SMS or email survey (if consented at the time of vaccination) to ask if you have experienced any potential side effects from your COVID-19 vaccination. You are encouraged to reply to the survey and contribute to vaccine safety monitoring in Australia.