How many doses of the vaccine will I need?
The number of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine you are recommended to receive will depend on your age and personal circumstances.
This table linked below outlines which vaccines and doses are recommended for each age and population group.
When can I get my COVID-19 Vaccine?
This infographic (external link) explains when you can get your COVID-19 vaccination.
Do I need a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine?
Ages 16 years and older: A booster dose is recommended for everyone aged 16 years and older, which is given 3 months or more after the second dose to maintain optimum protection.
Severely immunocompromised individuals aged 16 and over who have received 3 primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are also recommended to have a booster dose 3 months after their primary course, and an additional winter booster dose 3 months after their first booster.
For more information, see ATAGI recommendations on the use of a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised (external site).
ATAGI have also recommended that some people receive an additional winter booster dose – see below section on winter booster for more information.
Ages 12 - 15 years: ATAGI recommends that a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine may be offered to the following adolescents aged 12-15 years:
- those who are severely immunocompromised
- those who have a disability with significant or complex health needs
- those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19
Currently, Spikevax (Moderna) and Nuvaxovid (Novavax) are not registered for use as a booster dose in this age group, however ATAGI have advised that Novavax can be used as a booster in this age group if no other COVID-19 vaccine brand is suitable for that person.
ATAGI does not recommend that a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine be given to all adolescents aged 12-15 years. There is insufficient evidence of severe disease in otherwise healthy adolescents in this age group who have already received two primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
For more information see ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (external link).
Ages 5 - 11
years: ATAGI recommends that a booster dose of the
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine may be offered to the following children aged 5-11 years, if they have completed a
primary course of COVID-19 vaccination 3 or more months ago:
- those who are severely
immunocompromised (external link)
- those who have a disability with significant or complex health needs
- those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of
severe COVID-19
ATAGI does not recommend
that a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine be given to all children aged 5-11 years. There is
insufficient evidence of severe disease in otherwise healthy children in
this age group who have already received two primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, 8 weeks apart.
A third primary dose from 2 months
after dose 2 is recommended for those who are severely immunocompromised.
ATAGI recommends waiting 3 months
after having a confirmed COVID-19 infection before receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.
For more information see ATAGI
recommendations for a booster dose of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11
years (external link)
Winter booster dose recommendations
A winter
booster dose can be given:
- from 3 months or longer after the person has received their first booster
dose, or
- from 3 months after a confirmed COVID-19 infection, if infection occurred since
the person’s first COVID-19 booster dose.
The following groups are recommended to receive a winter
booster dose:
- all adults aged 50 years and older
- residents of aged care or disability care facilities
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or older
- people who are severely
immunocompromised (external link) (this will be their 5th dose)
- people aged 16 years or older with disability, significant or complex health
needs, or multiple comorbidities which increase the risk of a poor outcome
- people aged 16 years or older with a medical
condition (external link) that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness
Adults aged 30 to 49 years are eligible to receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19
vaccine, if they choose to do so. Individuals are encouraged to discuss their personal circumstances with their
GP or health care provider.
ATAGI does not currently recommend an additional booster dose for healthy people who are
not in one of the above groups.
It
is recommended that if anyone has specific questions about their personal circumstances, they should speak to
their GP or regular medical practitioner.
The
winter booster dose is available free of charge from participating GPs, Aboriginal
Medical Services and pharmacies. People in the specified eligibility groups will need to self-declare their
qualifying condition when presenting for the vaccination. A doctor’s note or formal proof of condition is
not required.
Pfizer (from 16 years) or Moderna (from 18 years) are the preferred vaccines for a
COVID-19 booster dose.
AstraZeneca can be used in people aged 18 years or older when an mRNA vaccine is
contraindicated, or where a person declines vaccination with an mRNA vaccine.
Novavax can be used as a booster dose in people aged 16 years or older if no other COVID-19 vaccine is
considered suitable for that person.
Moderna Bivalent: In addition to the other COVID-19 vaccine brands, people aged 18 years and over are eligible to receive the Moderna Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1 vaccine (also known as the Moderna Bivalent vaccine) for a booster dose.The Moderna Bivalent vaccine is not approved for use for a primary course of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Search the Vaccine Clinic Finder (external site) by COVID-19 vaccination brand and location to find a participating location near you.
Vaccines recommended for boosters
No booster vaccine is recommended for healthy children aged 5-11 years.
ATAGI recommends boosters may be offered to the following children aged 5-11 years, if they have
completed a primary course of COVID-19 vaccination 3 or more months ago:
Comirnaty (Pfizer) is the only recommended vaccine for use as a booster for eligible people aged 5-17 years.
Pfizer (from 5 years if eligible) or Moderna (from 18 years) are the preferred vaccines for a COVID-19 booster dose.
AstraZeneca can be used in people aged 18 years or older when an mRNA vaccine is contraindicated, or where a person declines vaccination with an mRNA vaccine.
Novavax can be used as a booster dose in people from 12 years if eligible if no other COVID-19 vaccine is considered suitable for that person.
Moderna Bivalent: In addition to the other COVID-19 vaccine brands, people aged 18 years and over are eligible to receive the Moderna Spikevax Bivaent Original/Omicron BA.1 vaccine (also known as the Moderna Bivalent vaccine) for a booster dose. The Moderna Bivalent vaccine is not approved for use for a primary course of a COVID-19 vaccine.
What is the timing between the doses?
Recommended intervals between doses are:
- Comirnaty (Pfizer):
- Spikevax (Moderna):
- Eligible young children
aged 6 months to under 5 years: 8 weeks between first and
second dose – can be reduced to a minimum of 4 weeks in special circumstances.
- Aged 6 years and older: 8 weeks between first and second dose – can be reduced
to a minimum of 4 weeks for adults and children at increased risk of severe COVID-19 (external
site)
- Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca): Aged 18 years and older 12 weeks between first and second dose
- Nuvaxovid (Novavax): Aged 12 years and older, ATAGI recommends 8 weeks between first and second dose. This can be reduced to a minimum of 3 weeks upon advice from a medical professional. See ATAGI advice (external site).
- Booster doses: 3 or more months after the second dose
- Winter booster dose: from 3 months or longer after the person has received their first
booster dose.
For severely immunocompromised
people
- Third dose (as part of primary course): from age 5 years and older, 2 months after the second dose of
vaccine.
- Booster dose (4th dose) for people aged 16 and over: 3 or more months after the third
primary dose.
- Booster dose (3rd or 4th dose) for children aged 5-11 years and adolescents aged 12-15 years who are severely immunocompromised, have a
disability with significant or complex health needs, or have complex and/or multiple health conditions
that increase the risk of severe COVID-19: 3 or more months after their primary vaccination course. ATAGI does not recommend that a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine be given to all children and adolescents aged 5-15 years. There is insufficient evidence of severe disease in otherwise healthy children in this age group who have already received two primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, 8 weeks apart.
- Winter booster dose: from 3 months or longer after the person has received their first booster dose.
What happens if the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is given late or missed?
If the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is overdue, it should be given as soon as possible.
A single dose is likely to only provide short-term protection. The second dose will improve protection regardless of how late it is given. Even if the second dose is late, no vaccine doses need to be repeated. A booster dose is recommended for anyone aged 16 years and over who has had their second dose 3 or more months ago.
Can I switch between brands for my first and second dose of COVID-19 vaccine?
It is recommended people have the same vaccine brand for the first and second dose.
However, an alternative vaccine can be offered for the second dose in some circumstances, including:
- Severe side effects after the first dose – there are medical contraindications or precautions to a vaccine
- Overseas vaccines – the original vaccine is not available in Australia
- Lack of access – a person is unable to access a particular vaccine
- Personal preference – where someone is not accepting of a second dose of the same brand
If you have questions about switching brands between your first and second dose of COVID vaccine you should discuss it with your health care provider.
For further information, see COVID-19 vaccination – ATAGI Clinical advice on the use of a different COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose (external site).
I have a health condition which causes me to be severely immunocompromised. Do I need additional doses?
ATAGI has outlined specific criteria on who is considered severely immunocompromised and recommended for additional doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The criteria can be found on ATAGI’s website (external site).
The best approach is to discuss this with your GP or treating specialist who best understands your health history.
I’ve had COVID-19, do I still need to get COVID-19 vaccinations?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends that all people should wait for 3 months after confirmed COVID-19 infection before they receive their next COVID-19 vaccine dose.
The next scheduled dose should then be given as soon as possible after this period.
Waiting for a 3-month period after infection before COVID-19 vaccination is intended to optimise protection as a longer gap between infection and vaccination is likely to lead to a better immune response and result in longer protection from reinfection.
This change in recommendation applies to all people who are recommended to receive COVID-19 vaccination (i.e., from 5 years and above), regardless of how many COVID-19 vaccine doses they have received.
Learn more about vaccination after testing positive for COVID-19 on the additional clinical considerations for COVID-19 vaccination page on the Australian Government Department of Health website (external site).
I’ve been reinfected with COVID-19, when can I get my next COVID-19 vaccination?
A reinfection case of COVID-19 can occur after 4 weeks (28 days).
This updated reinfection advice does not impact the recommended interval between COVID-19 infection and a COVID-19 vaccination.
People who have recovered from COVID-19 should wait 3 months after having a COVID-19 infection before receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.