COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Key points

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has continued to circulate in Australia. The virus evolves over time, leading to new variants and potential changes in COVID-19 epidemiology.
The COVID-19 vaccination program has shifted its focus from establishing broad population-based immunity against a newly emerged virus to maintaining protection against severe disease in those most at risk.
COVID-19 vaccines are recommended each year and available for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:
- adults aged 75 years and over (2 funded doses per year)
- adults aged 65–74 years (one funded dose per year)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–74 years (one funded dose per year)
- adults aged 18–64 years with severe immunocompromise (one funded dose per year).
Those who are not eligible for an NIP-funded COVID-19 vaccine can consider receiving the vaccine based on an individual risk-benefit assessment; however, this dose will need to be purchased privately. .
Pregnant women can consider a dose from 20 weeks gestation in each pregnancy to protect their infant.
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines available in Australia are safe and effective against severe illness and death, with generally mild and short-lived side effects.
COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered with other vaccines, including influenza vaccines, in people aged 5 years and over.

From 1 October 2026, COVID-19 vaccines will be funded through the National Immunisation Program, replacing the stand-alone National COVID-19 Vaccine Program which was established under emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last updated: 17 September 2026

FAQs

Which COVID-19 vaccines are currently being used in Australia?

There are two types of approved COVID-19 vaccines:

messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines
protein-based vaccines.

The monovalent mRNA vaccine Comirnaty LP.8.1 is the current COVID-19 vaccine available for use in Australia.

Vaccines available for use in Australia are based on more recent circulating strains of the virus and are expected to be more effective than older formulations in preventing severe COVID-19.

How do COVID-19 vaccines work?

COVID-19 vaccines work by ‘teaching’ and ‘reminding’ the immune system how to recognise SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

mRNA vaccines such as the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines contain the genetic code for a part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called the spike protein. After getting the vaccine, your body ‘reads’ the genetic code and makes copies of the spike protein. Your immune system then detects these spike proteins and responds. The genetic code is quickly broken down and cleared away by the body.

Protein-based vaccine, such as the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, contain proteins that resemble the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein and trigger a response from your immune system. Like the mRNA vaccines, this vaccine does not contain any live component of the virus.

COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause COVID-19.

Who is recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

Australia has moved to an annual COVID-19 vaccination schedule, focusing on protecting people against severe illness, particularly those at higher risk.

COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for:

all adults aged 65 years and over
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and over
adults aged 18–64 years with severe immunocompromise.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook includes details about who is considered severely immunocompromised and a list of medical conditions that may increase the risk of severe disease from COVID-19.

Who is eligible to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP)?

COVID-19 vaccine is available for free under the NIP for:

adults aged 75 years and over (2 funded doses per year, given approximately 6 months apart)
adults aged 65–74 years (one funded dose per year)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–74 years (one funded dose per year)
adults aged 18–64 years with severe immunocompromise (one funded dose per year).

Those who are not eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine can consider receiving one annual dose based on individual risk-benefit assessment, which would need to be purchased privately.

Why are COVID-19 vaccines funded for certain groups but not others?

The risk of severe COVID-19 varies widely among people based on a range of factors, including age and underlying medical conditions. The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing decides which vaccines to fund under the NIP and for which population groups.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to inform these decisions.

Based on current evidence and changes in COVID-19 epidemiology in the context of widespread hybrid immunity (i.e. immunity from both vaccination and infection) across the population, Australia has moved to an annual COVID-19 vaccination schedule, focusing on protecting people at highest risk from severe illness.

For further information, see National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccine listing process.

What is the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for adults aged 75 years and older?

All adults aged 75 years and over are recommended and funded to receive 2 COVID-19 vaccine doses each year, given approximately 6 months apart.

What are the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for adults aged 18–74 years?

Adults aged 65–74 years with no medical risk conditions are recommended and funded one COVID-19 vaccine dose each year.

One COVID-19 vaccine dose each year is recommended and funded, and a second annual dose can be considered (but is not funded under the NIP) for:

adults aged 65–74 years with medical risk conditions (including severe immunocompromise)
adults aged 18–64 years with severe immunocompromise.

All other adults aged 18–64 years without severe immunocompromise can consider one COVID-19 vaccine dose each year. This dose is not funded under the NIP and would need to be purchased privately.

What is the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for infants, children and adolescents aged 6 months to 18 years?

Children aged 6 months to less than 18 years with medical risk conditions (including severe immunocompromise) can consider receiving one COVID-19 vaccine dose each year based on individual risk-benefit assessment. This dose is not funded under the NIP and would need to be purchased privately.

What are the COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–64 years without medical risk conditions are recommended and funded one COVID-19 vaccine dose each year.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–64 years with medical risk conditions, including severe immunocompromise, are recommended and funded one COVID-19 vaccine dose each year. These individuals can consider a second dose based on a risk-benefit assessment. This dose is not funded under the NIP and would need to be purchased privately.

All other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should follow the general age- and risk-based recommendations outlined above.

What are the common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines?

The most common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines include pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever. These symptoms are temporary and usually go away without treatment in 1–2 days. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken to manage these side effects.

How can potential side effects after vaccination be reported?

Both individuals and their healthcare providers can report side effects to the relevant state or territory health authority or directly to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

In some states and territories, it is mandatory for healthcare providers to report side effects after COVID-19 vaccines.

Reporting of side effects supports the TGA in detecting any safety concerns relating to the use of COVID-19 vaccines.

Can COVID-19 vaccines be co-administered with other vaccines (e.g. the influenza vaccine)?

Yes, in people aged 5 years and over, a COVID-19 vaccine can be co-administered with (i.e. given on the same day as) other vaccines, including the influenza vaccine, childhood and adolescent vaccines, and vaccines given later in life.

For children aged 6 months to less than 5 years with medical risk conditions (including severe immunocompromise), whose parents or carers are considering COVID-19 vaccination for the child based on an individual risk-benefit assessment, separating administration from other vaccines by 7–14 days is preferable. This preference is based on the limited evidence available on co-administration in this age group; however, if separating vaccines is not practical, routine vaccinations can be given on the same day as a COVID-19 vaccine.

Are there any specific COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for other groups – such as people with occupational exposure, individuals in detention, carers, or those who live with or visit people at high risk of COVID-19?

There are currently no specific COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for carers, people with occupational exposure or similar groups. However, these individuals may still be eligible for a funded COVID-19 vaccine if they meet the ATAGI age- or medical risk-based recommendations.

What is the recommended interval between having COVID-19 infection and receiving a vaccine dose?

There is no recommended interval between COVID-19 infection and vaccine dose.

COVID-19 testing rates have dropped, and some people may not know if they have had a recent COVID-19 infection. In these circumstances, it is best to go ahead with your next COVID-19 vaccine dose at the recommended time.

There is little benefit from having a COVID-19 vaccine dose very soon after a confirmed infection (i.e. one detected via a positive RAT or PCR test); however, having a vaccine dose soon after a recent COVID-19 infection is not harmful.

COVID-19 vaccines recommended for people who are immunocompromised?

Yes. Severely immunocompromised people are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and are encouraged to keep up to date with annual vaccine dose/s recommended for them.

Individuals receiving an immune system-weakening treatment, including chemotherapy, should discuss the timing of vaccination with their treating healthcare provider.

People who have had haematopoietic stem cell transplant or CAR-T cell therapy may have reduced immune response to vaccination and require 2 priming doses, given 8 weeks apart, when vaccinated or revaccinated for the first time.

ATAGI’s recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination doses for individuals who are severely immunocompromised is available in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

COVID-19 vaccines recommended for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy?

All pregnant women can consider receiving a dose of COVID-19 vaccine from 20 weeks gestation in each pregnancy to protect their newborn. For those with risk factors for severe COVID-19, it is safe to receive the vaccine dose at any time during pregnancy. This dose is not funded under the NIP and would need to be purchased privately.

ATAGI considers the latest variant mRNA vaccine (LP.8.1) equivalent to the other mRNA vaccines in terms of suitability and safety for pregnant women.

Women who are breastfeeding do not need to stop breastfeeding after COVID-19 vaccination.

Women who are planning pregnancy do not need to delay pregnancy after COVID-19 vaccination.

Is a COVID-19 vaccine recommended before travel?

There is no specific recommendation to get a COVID-19 vaccine prior to travel.

However, individuals aged between 18 and 64 years can discuss with their healthcare provider the potential benefits of receiving a further dose before travelling, since this can reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 for a few months after receiving the vaccine.

Individuals not eligible for a funded dose under the NIP would need to purchase it privately.

What is the recommended interval between COVID-19 vaccine doses?

Individuals can be offered COVID-19 vaccine once or twice a year, depending on their eligibility. For those who receive 2 doses, the doses should be given approximately 6 months apart.

A dose may be given earlier than the recommended 6-month interval in certain circumstances, such as:

before starting immunosuppressant therapy
before overseas travel
if a vaccination appointment cannot be easily rescheduled, such as through an outreach vaccination program.

How effective are COVID-19 vaccines?

Large studies of vaccination programs in countries including Australia, the US and the UK have shown COVID-19 vaccines can provide moderate protection against severe disease.

COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe disease by 60 to 70% in vaccinated individuals compared with those who are not vaccinated. They provide the greatest benefit to people who remain at high risk of severe disease, such as older adults and people with certain medical conditions.

The protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time, and some people may be recommended an annual dose to maintain protection.

How long does protection from a COVID-19 vaccine last?

While protection from COVID-19 vaccines reduces over time, many studies have shown protection against severe disease remains high at least 6 months after vaccination. Annual COVID-19 dose/s are recommended for people at higher risk of serious illness to provide ongoing protection.

What is long COVID?

Long COVID (also known as ‘post-COVID-19 condition’) is a condition in which people with COVID-19 experience persistent symptoms for many months. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and cognitive dysfunction (‘brain fog’). Symptoms can fluctuate or relapse (come back) over time.

Long COVID can affect both children and adults. It is not yet known how long symptoms last.

Treatment for long COVID depends on symptoms. A healthcare professional can outline the options available.

Do COVID-19 vaccines protect against long COVID?

Yes – COVID-19 vaccination may provide additional protection against long COVID after infection with the COVID-19 Omicron strain; however, vaccine effectiveness estimates vary across studies.

There is some evidence that vaccinated people who develop COVID-19 may be less likely to experience long COVID symptoms than unvaccinated people. However, it is unclear whether receiving a vaccine dose will reduce the severity or duration of the condition in individuals experiencing long COVID symptoms.

What are myocarditis and pericarditis, and what is the risk of developing these conditions after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine?

Myocarditis and pericarditis are rare conditions in which the heart muscle (myocarditis) or the lining around the heart (pericarditis) becomes inflamed. These conditions can occur separately or concurrently and have a range of different causes, including COVID-19 itself.

Myocarditis and pericarditis have been associated with COVID-19 vaccines. The risk is very low and has been reported more commonly in males aged 15–40 years after receiving a second dose of an mRNA vaccine (Moderna and Pfizer).

For individuals who have symptoms consistent with myocarditis and/or pericarditis after a COVID-19 vaccine, assessment from a healthcare professional is required.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook gives advice on assessment, management and follow-up.

How is vaccine safety monitored after a COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use?

The TGA assesses the quality of every batch of vaccine before it is distributed in Australia. It also collects, analyses and reports data on vaccine side effects once a vaccine is in use. Individuals and healthcare providers can also report side effects directly to the TGA.

Additionally, programs such as AusVaxSafety collect information from individuals regarding side effects experienced after vaccination. Experts analyse this information to detect any safety issues as soon as possible.

Useful links

ATAGI statement on Transition of COVID-19 Vaccines to the National Immunisation Program – Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Australian Respiratory Surveillance Reports – Australian Centre for Disease Control
COVID-19 chapter – Australian Immunisation Handbook
COVID-19 – Healthdirect Australia
COVID-19 vaccine safety reports – Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
COVID-19 vaccines – Update for immunisation providers – Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
COVID-19 vaccines – AusVaxSafety
COVID-19 vaccines regulatory status – TGA
WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard – World Health Organization