Damon Mcknight
Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program began in February 2021, with the goal of vaccinating all willing people in the country. Frontline workers and aged care staff and residents were given priority, followed by other high-risk groups. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved four vaccines for use in Australia: Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Moderna. As of February 2023, over 95% of Australians aged 16 and above had received at least two doses, and more than 70% had received three doses. Australia also offers routine immunisations for children and adolescents, such as the HPV vaccine, and other vaccines for adults, like the shingles vaccine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 vaccination program start date | 22 February 2021 |
| Goal | Vaccinate all willing people in Australia |
| Priority groups | Frontline workers, aged care staff and residents, people at high risk of exposure, people at risk of severe disease |
| Vaccines approved | Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna |
| Total doses administered | 62,492,656 |
| Vaccination sites | Metropolitan community clinics, GP respiratory clinics, GP clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services, regional community clinics, drive-through hubs |
| Age groups | Children below 18 offered Pfizer-BioNTech, adults 18-59 offered Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca, adults 60+ offered AstraZeneca |
| Booster recommendations | People aged 16+, older people, residents of disability or aged care facilities, immunocompromised individuals |
| Vaccination status | Displayed on immunisation history statement until 2023 |
| Vaccination coverage (Feb 2023) | 95%+ received 2 doses, 70%+ received 3 doses, 45% received 4 doses |
| HPV vaccination coverage | Declined in 2022 due to pandemic-related disruptions |
| Pneumococcal vaccine coverage (2011) | 54% for people aged 65+ |
| Zoster vaccine coverage (2021-2022) | Increased from 38.7% to 41.3% for adults aged 70+ |
| Exceptions | Immunocompromised individuals, people with allergies to vaccine ingredients |
| Side effects | Injection-site reactions, low-grade fever, pain |
| Severe side effects | Anaphylaxis (rare) |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 vaccination in Australia
Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program began on 22 February 2021, with the goal of vaccinating all willing people in the country before 2022. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved four vaccines for use in 2021: Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Moderna. As of 3 August 2022, Australia had administered over 62 million vaccine doses.
The rollout initially targeted priority groups, including quarantine and border workers, frontline healthcare workers, and aged care and disability staff and residents. It was later extended to other high-risk adults, teenagers, and
In terms of vaccine options, children below 18 years are offered Pfizer-BioNTech, adults aged 18–59 are offered Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca, and adults 60 and over are offered AstraZeneca. The Pfizer vaccine is the preferred option for those under 60 due to a lower risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) compared to AstraZeneca.
COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary for most of the population in Australia, except for certain high-risk groups such as aged-care workers and Paralympic athletes. As of February 2023, over 95% of Australians aged 16 and over had received at least two doses, and more than 70% had received three doses. A fourth dose has been administered to about 45% of the eligible population (aged 30 and over).
Vaccination is recommended even for those who have previously had COVID-19, and it is safe for breastfeeding individuals. While most people can be vaccinated, those with weak immune systems or allergies to vaccine ingredients may not be eligible. Common side effects include injection-site reactions like a sore arm, and serious allergic reactions are rare.
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Vaccination recommendations for different age groups
Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program began on February 22, 2021, with the goal of vaccinating all willing people in the country before 2022. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved four vaccines for Australian use in 2021: Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Moderna. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, also known as COMIRNATY, was approved for patients over 16.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) provides recommendations and clinical guidance on vaccine use after the TGA approves them. The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was the preferred vaccine for people aged 60 and up as of July 29, 2021. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was preferred for those under 60 and those with a history of certain medical conditions, such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
- Ages 6 months to 17 years: COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for children aged 6 months to 17 years who have medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19. Generally healthy children in this age group do not need a COVID-19 vaccine. However, children with immune system issues can have 2 to 3 primary doses, while those with other conditions can have 1 to 2 primary doses.
- Ages 12 to 15: Immunocompromised children in this age group can receive the Pfizer vaccine at mass vaccination centres.
- Ages 16 and above: All individuals aged 16 and above are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. While it is not usually recommended that teenagers under 18 receive the COVID-19 vaccination, 16 and 17-year-olds can receive the Pfizer vaccine, and 18 to 59-year-olds can choose between Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
- Ages 18 and above: COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all Australians aged 18 and older. Every healthy adult should have at least one primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Adults with immune system issues are recommended to have two primary doses and can have a third dose for additional protection.
- Ages 50 and above: Initially, everyone over 50 was encouraged to get the AstraZeneca vaccine. However, due to cases of blood clotting in those under 60, the recommendation was revised to individuals over 60.
- Ages 65 and above: According to a 2011 survey, pneumococcal vaccine coverage among people aged 65 and over was at 54%.
- Ages 70 and above: Zoster (shingles) vaccine coverage among adults aged 70 increased from 38.7% in 2021 to 41.3% in 2022. For First Nations adults in this age group, coverage increased from 32.9% in 2021 to 36.5% in 2022.
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Vaccination for immunocompromised people
Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program began on 22 February 2021, with the goal of vaccinating all willing people in the country before 2022. Frontline workers, aged care staff, and residents were among the first priority groups. As of February 2023, over 95% of Australians aged 16 and above had received at least two doses, and more than 70% had received three doses.
Regarding immunocompromised individuals, the approach to vaccination varies based on the severity of their condition. People with immunocompromise are at a higher risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases and may have a reduced response to vaccinations. Live vaccines, for instance, are generally not recommended for those with moderate to severe immunocompromise due to potential safety concerns. However, non-live vaccines, which are made from killed or inactivated viruses or bacteria, can be safely administered to immunocompromised individuals, although they may elicit a lower immune response.
For immunocompromised individuals in Australia, the COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended for those aged 6 months and older, as they are at an increased risk of severe illness or death from the disease. Additionally, annual influenza immunisation is advised for all people with immunosuppression over 6 months of age, as they may be more susceptible to influenza and associated secondary infections.
Before overseas travel, immunocompromised individuals should ensure they are up to date with their routine vaccinations and may require additional vaccinations, such as the seasonal influenza vaccine. The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides detailed guidance on vaccination for immunocompromised individuals, considering various medical conditions and therapies that can impact immune function.
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Vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program began on 22 February 2021, with the goal of vaccinating all willing people in Australia before 2022. Frontline workers and aged care staff and residents were prioritised, followed by other high-risk groups, including First Nations people aged 55 and over.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have higher rates of some vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) than non-Indigenous Australians. This is due to various factors, including access barriers to healthcare, higher rates of chronic medical conditions, and social determinants such as overcrowding and socioeconomic factors. As a result, they are prioritised for additional protection through the funding of further vaccines on the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
There are some extra vaccines that are recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly for diseases where they have a disproportionately higher burden. For example, invasive pneumococcal disease, which affects young children under 5 and adults over 50 years, has rates 6 to 7 times higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Other examples include meningococcal disease and hepatitis A, which was 20 times more prevalent in First Nations children under 5 before the introduction of the NIP-funded vaccination program.
In addition to routine childhood vaccinations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and children can receive catch-up vaccinations for free up until they turn 20 years old (25 years old for the HPV vaccine). Adolescents are also funded to receive the annual influenza vaccine. Adults can receive influenza, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccines, and pregnant women can get the influenza, whooping cough (pertussis), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for free.
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Vaccination side effects
Vaccines are monitored for safety on an ongoing basis, and while there are some commonly reported side effects, reports of serious side effects are extremely rare. COVID-19 vaccines, like all medicines used in Australia, can cause mild side effects, but not everyone experiences them. Most side effects are mild and short-lived, with recovery typically within 3 days. Common side effects include fever, headache, fatigue, and pain at the injection site. Pain relievers such as paracetamol can help alleviate these symptoms.
One rare but serious side effect is Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), which has been associated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. TTS involves the formation of blood clots in abnormal areas such as the brain, abdomen, chest, and legs, disrupting normal blood flow. This leads to a decrease in platelets in the bloodstream, potentially resulting in excessive bleeding. TTS symptoms typically develop 4 to 30 days after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, and early medical treatment can prevent serious complications.
Myocarditis and pericarditis have also been reported as side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia. While the vast majority of side effects are mild and transient, it is important to be aware of and monitor for any potential adverse reactions after vaccination. Regular COVID-19 vaccinations, known as boosters, play a crucial role in maintaining protection against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death from COVID-19. These boosters are recommended for all Australians aged 18 and older, especially those aged 65 and above or with underlying medical conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia began its COVID-19 vaccination program on 22 February 2021, with the goal of vaccinating all willing people in the country before 2022. By February 2023, over 95% of Australians aged 16 and over had received at least 2 doses.
Initially, the COVID-19 vaccines were directed towards priority groups at high risk of exposure, such as quarantine and border workers, frontline health care workers, and aged care staff and residents. The rollout was later extended to other adults and then teenagers. As of 10 June 2021, people aged 30 and above are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Children aged 5-11 became eligible for a smaller dose of the vaccine on 10 January 2022.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved four vaccines for Australian use in 2021: Pfizer–BioNTech, Oxford–AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Moderna. The Pfizer vaccine is the preferred vaccine for people under 60, while AstraZeneca is recommended for those 60 and older.
