A colourful, cartoon-friendly guide to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and dose scheduling in Australia — based on the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Educational only. Based on the Australian Immunisation Handbook (last updated 5 December 2025). COVID-19 vaccination for eligible groups is funded under emergency measures, not the National Immunisation Program. Always follow local policy, state/territory rules and clinical judgement. Vaccination for certain groups is funded; others may access vaccines privately.
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Enter patient details above to highlight the most relevant COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
Recommendations
Who should be vaccinated?
Overview
Eligibility summary
All adults ≥18 years are recommended to receive COVID-19 vaccine (primary course)
Children 6 months–<17 years with medical conditions that increase risk of severe disease
Healthy children <18 years are not routinely recommended — risk-benefit does not support it
COVID-19 vaccines are currently funded under emergency measures, not the standard NIP
Adults 18–64 (healthy)
Standard schedule
No severe immunocompromise
Primary course & booster schedule
Primary course: 1 dose recommended
Further doses: Consider 1 further dose every 12 months based on individual preference & risk-benefit assessment
Risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is low in previously vaccinated healthy adults
6-monthly dosing is not routinely recommended for this group
Vaccine choice
Comirnaty JN.1 ≥12 years formulation (grey cap, pre-filled syringe or multi-dose vial)
Comirnaty LP.8.1 ≥12 years formulation (dark grey pre-filled glass syringe)
Either mRNA vaccine is appropriate — use latest available formulation
Adults 65–74 years
Annual booster
Without severe immunocompromise
Primary course & booster schedule
Primary course: 1 dose recommended
Further doses: Recommended every 12 months
Can consider doses every 6 months based on risk-benefit assessment
6-monthly dosing is most likely to benefit those with medical risk conditions and/or those in residential care
Vaccine choice
Comirnaty JN.1 ≥12 years or Comirnaty LP.8.1 ≥12 years formulation
Use latest available updated formulation where possible
Adults ≥75 years
6-monthly booster
⚠️ Priority group — highest risk
Primary course & booster schedule
Primary course: 1 dose recommended
Further doses: Recommended every 6 months — this applies to ALL adults ≥75, including aged care residents
Risk of severe illness increases significantly with advancing age
With severe immunocompromise: 2 primary doses recommended (consider a 3rd), further doses every 6 months
Aged care residents
All aged care residents fall into the ≥75-year 6-monthly schedule
Residence in a care facility is itself a risk factor for severe illness
Ensure vaccination records are up to date with ACIR
Severe immunocompromise
Extra doses needed
Any age — modified schedule applies
Primary course schedule
Adults ≥18 yrs: 2 primary doses (consider 3rd), at least 8 weeks apart
Children 5–<18 yrs: Consider 1–2 primary doses, at least 8 weeks apart
Children 6 months–<5 yrs: Consider 2–3 primary doses, at least 8 weeks apart
Severe immunocompromise may reduce the immune response to vaccination
Further (booster) doses
Adults 18–74 yrs: Every 12 months; can consider every 6 months
Adults ≥75 yrs: Every 6 months
Children 5–<18 yrs: Consider 1 further dose every 12 months
Children <5 yrs: Further doses not routinely recommended
Example severely immunocompromising conditions
Haematological malignancies (leukaemia, lymphoma) — untreated or within 6 months of therapy
Haematopoietic stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy within 24 months
HIV infection not meeting severe immunocompromise criteria
Pregnancy
Recommended (unvaccinated)
Recommendations for pregnant women
Unvaccinated pregnant women: Primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended — can be given at any time during pregnancy
Previously vaccinated & pregnant: Not routinely recommended for a further dose. However, can consider based on underlying risk conditions and/or personal preference
Dose administered during pregnancy may provide some infant protection via transplacental antibodies — but risk of severe illness in healthy infants is extremely low
Comirnaty JN.1 and LP.8.1-based vaccines are considered suitable and safe for use in pregnancy by ATAGI
mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe in pregnancy — adverse event profile is similar to non-pregnant women
Co-administration with other vaccines in pregnancy
COVID-19 vaccines (mRNA) can be co-administered with influenza vaccine in pregnancy
Discuss timing with maternal pertussis (20–32 weeks) and RSV vaccines (28–36 weeks)
Children with medical risk
6 months–17 years
Not recommended for healthy children <18
Schedule by age group
6 months–<5 years (medical risk, not severe immunocompromise): Consider 2 doses at least 8 weeks apart; further doses not recommended
5–<18 years (medical risk, not severe immunocompromise): Consider 1 primary dose; further doses not recommended
5–<18 years (with severe immunocompromise): Consider 1–2 primary doses; consider 1 further dose every 12 months
Vaccine formulations for children
6 months–<5 years: Comirnaty JN.1 or LP.8.1 yellow cap (3 µg per dose, requires dilution)
5–<12 years: Comirnaty JN.1 or LP.8.1 light blue cap (10 µg per dose, no dilution)
≥12 years: Comirnaty JN.1 or LP.8.1 ≥12 year formulation (30 µg per dose)
Children who turn 5 or 12 between doses: use the formulation appropriate for their age on the day of vaccination
Previously vaccinated
Further doses
When to give the next dose
There is no recommended minimum interval between a COVID-19 vaccine dose and a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection — proceed with next dose as per schedule
A greater interval between infection and next vaccination may enhance hybrid immunity
Prior COVID-19 infection does not replace a recommended dose — continue with the schedule
Serological testing (antibody levels) is not recommended to guide dose decisions — no assay provides a definitive correlate of protection
Interchangeability of brands
Prefer the same brand for the primary course (especially in immunocompromised)
Use a different brand if: contraindication to previous brand; previous brand unavailable; patient cannot access or refuses same brand
Mixed schedule recommended interval: 8–12 weeks between doses, regardless of brands used
Doses do not need to be repeated if the interval is >12 weeks
Contraindications & precautions
Must check
Absolute contraindications
Anaphylaxis after a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from the same class
Anaphylaxis after any component of that COVID-19 vaccine
Anaphylaxis after any mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is a contraindication to all mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
Precautions (seek specialist advice)
Recent myocarditis or pericarditis (within past 3 months) — discuss timing with GP/cardiologist
Acute rheumatic fever or acute rheumatic heart disease with active myocardial inflammation
Acute decompensated heart failure
People who develop myocarditis/pericarditis after a COVID-19 vaccine should defer further doses and discuss with treating doctor
Myocarditis / pericarditis awareness
Very rare but reported after all currently available COVID-19 vaccines
Highest incidence: adolescent males after second dose of mRNA vaccine
No events reported in children aged 6 months–11 years
Counsel all recipients on signs/symptoms and advise to seek medical attention if symptoms develop