The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has removed its previous guideline against vaccinating people with a recent history of infection.
Until now, a COVID-19 infection within the previous 6 months was grounds for refusing a vaccination request, because case-induced immunity meant the vaccine would have minimal benefit.
In its latest changes to advice – included in the Australian Immunisation Handbook – ATAGI has dropped the proscription for the pragmatic reason that “it is challenging for many individuals to know if they have had a recent infection”.
Proximity to infection may still be a legitimate consideration for immunisation providers, however. The Handbook notes:
“Vaccination is likely to enhance the protection induced by infection. A greater interval between infection and vaccination enhances the protection from vaccination by further boosting the immune response generated following infection.”
Having a vaccine dose after a recent COVID-19 infection is not harmful.
View the Australian Immunisation Handbook previous infection new guideline here.
View the full suite of updated COVID-19 vaccination advice here.
