2023 COVID–19 vaccination update  

Providers are requested to share ATAGI 2023 booster advice announced on 8 February. With community protection having waned, ATAGI, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, recommends an additional COVID-19 booster dose will improve protection against severe COVID-19 before winter. With further COVID-19 waves expected, vaccination will reduce risk of severe illness and protect the healthcare system during a time of high demand. 

Disability workers are encouraged to take up the COVID-19 booster vaccination to increase protection and reduce risks of infection transmission for people with a disability and other immune compromised and at-risk groups. The improved immunity against severe illness for workers, will reduce workforce shortage pressures and community transmission. 

The 2023 COVID-19 vaccination update includes a change in the timing for this booster. The new advice recommends delaying receiving the booster until six or more months have passed from the previous COVID-19 vaccination or a confirmed COVID-19 infection, whichever is the most recent. Anyone who suspects they had a COVID-19 infection that wasn’t tested are advised by ATAGI that there are no safety concerns with receiving the booster.  

Eligibility is not determined by the previous number of COVID-19 vaccinations and for some individuals the booster will become their fifth COVID-19 vaccination.  

The 2023 COVID-19 booster is recommended for: 

• all adults aged 65 years and over 
• adults aged 18 to 64 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs. 

Consideration of a 2023 booster is encouraged for: 

• all adults aged 18 to 64 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19 
• children and adolescents aged five to 17 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs. 

The booster is not recommended at this time for children and adolescents aged under 18 years who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19. 

Vaccination options and booking an appointment  

All currently available COVID-19 vaccines provide benefit as a booster dose. However, bivalent mRNA booster vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna, are preferred over other vaccines. A COVID-19 vaccine can be administered with influenza and other vaccines. 

Vaccination providers can be identified by location on the Victorian Government Coronavirus webpage or checked for availability with local General Practice or pharmacies. 

NDS is currently seeking further details about the delivery of vaccinations to people with disabilities who are unable to leave their homes to attend appointments or require specific support.  

Victorian Department of Health disseminating free RATs and masks for disability providers    

Providers are invited to take up the offer from the COVID-19 Response Team to place an organisation order for free RATs and non-clinical grade N95 masks. Providers are advised to note the N95 masks available can only be used for the same risk management needs as surgical masks due to nonclinical grading.  

The order should include:  

• organisation name  
• delivery address (where possible please identify a central location for your organisation distribution) 
• name and phone number of a contact person working at the delivery address 
• for mask supply, the request can indicate preferred numbers of box size 10 or 50  
• for RATs, please indicate total required. (note that expiry dates range from the middle of this year through to early 2024). 

Orders placed need to consider storage capacity because there is no option to return them.  

Orders to be sent to: healthservicestesting@health.vic.gov.au. 

Or, for further information, please contact Carol Hargreaves, Acting Manager, Disability Programs, Targeted Programs, Vaccinating and Testing: carol.hargreaves@health.vic.gov.au   

Free RATs for all Victorians through local government 

Providers are asked to promote with all workers, people with disability and families, the availability of free RATs through local government sites across Victoria. The specific local government collection addresses are listed on the Coronavirus Victoria webpage.  

People with disabilities and carers are eligible to receive additional supplies from collection sites. The free RATs are available to encourage testing and reporting as we move towards winter and expected COVID-19 waves. Individuals can also collect RATs on behalf of others without proof of need.

Event: COVID-19 and other health risk management network meeting 

Disability providers and managers responsible for COVID-19 and other health risks management are invited to attend the COVID-19 Prevention, Vaccines and Outbreak Management Network  meeting on Thursday 23 February from 3:00pm to 4:00pm AEDT.

This meeting will include an overview of the revised NDS COVID-19 toolkit, focusing on risk management needs for 2023 moving forward. Additional health concerns and risks, including COVID-19, will also be discussed. Any provider issues or concerns you would like to submit in advance can be directed to Heather McMinn: submit enquiry/feedback.