The updates to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, dated 1 March 2022 include:
- Nuvaxovid (Novavax) can be used as a booster in an individual aged 18 years and above if no other COVID-19 vaccine is considered suitable for that individual.
- Recommendations concerning the use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose have been updated. AstraZeneca is no longer recommended for use as the booster dose for people who received a primary vaccination course of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, although it can still be used for this purpose if these individuals decline receiving an mRNA vaccine as a booster dose. AstraZeneca is now only recommended when there are medical contraindications to the mRNA vaccines.
- Comirnaty (Pfizer) can be used as a booster in individuals aged 16 years and above.
- Updated evidence of vaccine effectiveness of booster doses against the Omicron variant has been included.
The updated recommendations are available on the Australian Department of Health website.
