On 12 December 2022, the Australian Government launched the National COVID-19 Health Management Plan. The National Plan recognises that health response measures are still required to protect those most at risk from COVID-19 as the pandemic continues to evolve. In 2023, COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be principally administered in residential aged care by primary care providers such as general practitioners and pharmacists.
On 8 February 2023, The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) updated their recommendations on the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 2023. The Australian Government has accepted this advice and will include the 2023 booster dose for recommended people in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program from 20 February 2023.
ATAGI recommends a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for adults in the following groups, if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, and regardless of the number of prior doses received:
- All adults aged 65 years and over; and
- Adults aged 18-64 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.