The Australian Government has approved the use of new COVID-19 XBB 1.5 vaccines.
All available COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide strong protection against serious disease.
The new XBB 1.5 vaccines have been found to provide modest improved protection against the COVID-19 strains circulating in the community. The XBB 1.5 vaccines will be available along with the existing bivalent vaccines.
There is no change to current vaccine eligibility recommendations.
The new vaccine is a good reminder for people to get vaccinated if they haven’t had their recommended dose(s) in 2023. For people who have had their 2023 COVID-19 vaccination(s) they do not need to get vaccinated again and remain well protected against severe disease from COVID-19.
Pfizer’s monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine will be available for use in eligible people aged five years and older, while the Moderna monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine can be used for those aged 12 years and older.
Providers can order this new vaccine, with doses being delivered ready to administer from 11 December 2023.
Sites which receive their orders earlier than this date can commence administration as soon as they receive them.