Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from severe illness or death from COVID-19. With older age continuing to be the biggest risk factor for severe COVID-19.
If it has been six months since receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or a confirmed COVID-19 infection, an additional dose:
- people aged 75 or older – recommended
- people aged 65-74 and people aged 18-64 years with severe immunocompromise – consider following discussion with their health care provider
People aged 65 years and older who have not had a COVID-19 booster in 2023 are recommended to get vaccinated with the latest vaccine.
All COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to provide benefit to eligible people. However, the monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines are preferred over other vaccines for eligible people, as advised by ATAGI.
ATAGI recommendations on use monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines
Book a vaccination
To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you:
- Speak with your GP or pharmacist
- Book an appointment through the healthdirect service finder.
For more information or advice call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website: health.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines.
Oral antiviral treatments
Oral antiviral treatments are safe and effective in reducing the severity of COVID-19 and are available to people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including people 70 years and older.
Be prepared
If you are 70 years or older, or any of the below risk factors, have an early discussion with your GP or nurse practitioner.
- Ask if an oral antiviral suits your health needs
- Develop a COVID-19 plan with your GP. Include how to access antivirals quickly if you test positive to COVID-19.
Start antiviral treatment as soon as possible or within five days of COVID-19 symptoms beginning. Oral antiviral treatments may help stop COVID-19 infection from becoming severe.
Risk factors
- living in residential aged care
- living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty (but not limited to living in supported accommodation)
- neurological conditions like stroke or dementia and demyelinating conditions e.g. multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome
- chronic respiratory conditions including COPD, moderate or severe asthma
- obesity or diabetes (type I or II requiring medication)
- heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies
- kidney failure or cirrhosis
- living remotely with reduced access to higher level healthcare
- past COVID-19 infection episode resulting in hospitalisation
Updated eligibility for oral COVID-19 treatments |Department of Health and Aged Care
Frequently asked questions
I have not had a 2023 booster yet, is it too late for me to have one?
No. Anyone recommended for a COVID-19 vaccine should get one as soon as possible if they haven’t had one yet.
What if I missed one of my COVID-19 vaccine doses?
Australia has moved away from numbering doses and a ‘catch-up’ vaccination is not required.
ATAGI recommends a primary course of COVID-19 vaccinations, including a dose in 2023 and an additional dose if recommended.
It doesn’t matter how many doses a person has had before 2023.
I had COVID last month, but my last dose was more than six months ago. Should I have another dose?
There is not much benefit from having a COVID-19 vaccine soon after infection.
If you are unsure if you have had a COVID-19 infection in the past six months, it is safe to get a dose.
Who can give me a COVID-19 booster?
You can find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic and book an appointment with the healthdirect service finder
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine from your local GP or pharmacist, or a GP or pharmacist visiting your aged care home.
Is there a new vaccine people should be asking for?
All COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to provide benefit to eligible people. However, the monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines are preferred over other vaccines for eligible people.
Where can I find information about COVID-19 and vaccines?
See the Department of Health and Aged Care website: health.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines.
You can also find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic and book an appointment with the healthdirect service finder or call 1800 022 222 if you need COVID-19 advice.
What can older people do if they get COVID-19?
If you get COVID-19 you need to take the oral antiviral treatments as soon as possible or within five days after getting symptoms.
Oral antivirals treatments are safe and effective in reducing the severity of COVID-19 and are available to people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 including people 70 years and older.
Make sure you talk to your GP or nurse practitioner to find out whether the oral antiviral treatments are right for you and how to access antivirals quickly.