COVID-19 vaccination guidance

The government reports that uptake across the general community of COVID-19 vaccinations is low. This includes people with disability. Those in older age groups or with complex and chronic health conditions that affect their immunity are at risk of serious illness.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have released its COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations for 2024.

Providers should share the updated guidance with workers and people with disability, their families and carers. To minimise community transmission, it is important all people understand the protections available to them and the known serious risks of infection from COVID-19.

ATAGI have restated that COVID-19 vaccination remains the best protection because:

• it prevents severe illness, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19
• it protects everyone, especially older people and those with severely compromised immunity, decreasing the risk of severe COVID-19
• COVID-19 protection reduces over time, but regular vaccinations, tailored to age and health, give ongoing protection.

2024 eligibility criteria COVID-19 vaccination

The timing of vaccinations depends on age and whether a person has compromised immunity:

• People 75 years and older are recommended to have a vaccination every six months.
• Those from 65 to 74 years are recommended to vaccinate every 12 months. This age group can also consider a vaccination every six months after discussing it with their health practitioner.
• Between 18 to 64 years:
  • Those with severely compromised immunity are recommended to vaccinate every 12 months. This group can also consider six-monthly vaccinations after discussing it with their health practitioner.
  • Those without severely compromised immunity should consider vaccination every 12 months.
• From five to 17 years:
  • Those with severely compromised immunity should consider vaccination every 12 months.
  • For those without a severely compromised immunity, the vaccination is not recommended.
• For those under five years, the COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended.

As with all vaccinations, people are encouraged to discuss their vaccine options with their health practitioner.

It's safe and efficient to receive your COVID-19 vaccine alongside your flu shot or other routine vaccinations, including those for children and teens.

So that providers can easily communicate the updated COVID-19 vaccination guidance with workers and people with disability, their families and carers, the Australian Government have issued a Disability Provider Alert summarising the latest advice.

For anyone not sure whether they are eligible or should receive a COVID-19 2024 vaccination, the government have developed a COVID-19 booster eligibility checker tool. It’s not intended to replace medical advice and people should still talk to their immunisation provider about their individual circumstances.

Seasonal influenza vaccination

ATAGI states that a seasonal influenza vaccination is the best defence against influenza. They recommend an annual vaccination for everyone over six months of age.

An annual influenza vaccination is free for:

• all children from six months to five years of age
• all adults from 65 years of age
• those from five to 65 years of age who have an increased risk of complications from influenza.

Those at increased risk include all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who have certain medical conditions that have been identified by their health practitioner, and pregnant women.

People with a disability who are at heightened risk of serious illness from influenza can discuss with their health practitioner if they are eligible for a free vaccination.

Finding a vaccination provider

You can check with your local GP or community pharmacy for vaccination appointments; or use Healthdirect to find an option in your local area.

Disability providers needing in-reach vaccination services for people with disability should contact their local Primary Health Networks to identify a provider.

Vaccination is just one strategy to manage the risk of COVID-19. Go to the NDS COVID-19 Hub page for a full range of risk management strategies.

The full ATAGI advice for 2024 can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.