Abstract
  • This guidance summarises ‘up-to-date' vaccination status, as defined by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) in their clinical guidance for the use of COVID-19 vaccines.
  • This ‘up-to-date’ guidance serves as the basis for policies for the public health management of the COVID-19 pandemic in a domestic context. It forms the basis of the due and overdue rules for the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Advice may change as the pandemic evolves.
  • The application of this advice across various settings is a matter for governments and/or private entities as appropriate taking into account factors such as risk, proportionality, as well as local variables and priorities. 
  • All individuals aged 16 years and over are recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose to maintain an “up-to-date” status. This booster dose is now recommended from 3 months after the last primary dose. This is called the ‘due date’.
  • Initial protection is reduced and increased waning is evident following primary COVID-19 vaccination (usually 2 doses) against the Omicron variant. This warrants the inclusion of booster doses in a person’s up-to-date status:
    • Individuals aged 16 years and over have previously been considered up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination after completing an appropriate primary course of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved or recognised vaccine. To optimise protection from the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant, individuals should receive a booster dose 3 months after completion of their primary schedule. A person will be considered ’overdue’ if a booster has not been received within 6 months of completing their primary schedule.
    • Children and adolescents aged 5-15 years are up-to-date after completion of a primary course of vaccination. A booster dose is not currently recommended for this age group.
    • Severely immunocompromised individuals aged 5 years and over require a 3rd primary dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from 2 months (and no later than 6 months) after dose 2 to remain up-to-date. Those who are aged 16 years and over are recommended a booster (4th) dose, 3 months after dose 3 of their primary vaccination course. However, for the purpose of being up-to-date in the AIR (which does not contain any information on medical conditions) only a total of 3 doses will be counted as being up-to-date in this subgroup.
    • Individuals who have had prior COVID-19, including asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, still require completion of the above vaccination schedule, but can defer receipt of the next dose for up to 4 months following their infection. This recommendation has changed from the previous 6-month interval. Some people may choose to be vaccinated prior to 4 months. Refer to ATAGI clinical guidance on people with a past SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • Vaccine schedules using mixed or the same brand of COVID-19 vaccine are acceptable for being considered up-to-date. The TGA is currently considering which vaccines, not already approved for use in Australia as a booster, will be recognised as valid by the Australia Immunisation Register, as a booster dose (e.g., if received overseas).
  • Recommendation
  • Western Pacific
  • Australia
  • COVID-19