ATAGI have recently released updated COVID booster advice for 2023 which has been accepted by the Government and includes availability of new bivalent vaccines. These contain both the original COVID-19 variant and also an updated vaccine against Omicron variant.
Overview:
- ATAGI recommends a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for adults in the following groups, if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, and regardless of the number of prior doses received:
-
- All adults aged 65 years and over.
- Adults aged 18-64 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.
-
- MG would reasonably be considered a medical comorbidity that increases the risk of severe COVID-19, so this applies to essentially all adults with MG.
ATAGI also recommends: bivalent mRNA booster vaccines are preferred over other vaccines.
The bivalent vaccines include: Pfizer Original/Omicron BA.4/5, as well as Pfizer Original/Omicron BA.1 or Moderna Original/Omicron BA.1. Note: Moderna Original/Omicron BA.4/5 is currently under evaluation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.