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COVID-19

ATAGI advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals

04 May 2022

ATAGI update following weekly COVID-19 meeting – 27 April 2022 | Australian Government Department of Health

 

The recommended dose interval for thetwo2 doses of the primary course of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines was previously: 

  • three to six weeks for Comirnaty (Pfizer) 
  • four to six weeks for Spikevax (Moderna) 

 

ATAGI now recommends the dose interval between primary doses should be extended to eight weeks.

 

The extended dose interval of eight weeks has been shown to improve the immune response to vaccination and therefore may improve effectiveness. A longer dose interval may also reduce the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis. The longer dose interval is particularly recommended for groups at higher risk of this side effect (those under the age of 40 years). 

The dose interval can be reduced (to a minimum of three weeks for Pfizer or four weeks for Moderna) for people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 (including older adults and people with underlying medical conditions), in an outbreak setting, or prior to international travel. 

If you have further queries regarding this, please contact a member of the SWSPHN COVID-19 Response Team at covid19@swsphm.com.au