The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have provided updated recommendations on the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines:
- Individuals aged 18 years and above are recommended to receive a single booster dose of either mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), 3 months after the completion of a primary course of vaccination.
- Individuals aged 16-17 years are recommended to receive a single dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer) as their booster, 3 months following the completion of their primary course. Alternate COVID-19 vaccine brands are not registered for use as a booster dose in this age group.
- Whilst Nuvaxovid (Novavax) is not TGA-registered for use as a booster dose, ATAGI recommends that it may be used as a booster in individuals aged 18 years or older in circumstances where there is a contraindication to mRNA vaccines. There is limited safety and efficacy data to support the use of Nuvaxovid as a booster dose, however there are no theoretical concerns.
- Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) is no longer recommended for use as a booster dose. Individuals who have already received Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) as their booster dose do not need a repeat booster dose of an alternate brand.
For further information regarding the ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, please refer to the links below:
ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine