Winter booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine expanded eligibility

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended that more people from 16 to 64 years old be given a fourth ‘winter’ dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Cancer

  • Chronic inflammatory conditions: Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, …

  • Chronic lung disease: including severe asthma (requiring frequent hospital visits or the use of multiple medications).

  • Chronic liver disease

  • Severe chronic kidney disease (stage 4 or 5)

  • Chronic neurological disease: stroke, dementia, epilepsy, …

  • Diabetes mellitus requiring medication

  • Chronic cardiac disease

  • People with disability with significant or complex health needs

  • Severe obesity with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2

  • Severe underweight with BMI < 16.5 kg/m2