Do I require a winter COVID booster or second booster dose?

From April 2022, you are eligible for a winter COVID-19 vaccine (second booster /fourth dose) if you are:

• aged 65 years or over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• a resident of an aged care or disability care facility
• aged 16 years and over and severely immunocompromised. For people in this group, the winter vaccine dose will be a fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose (three primary doses, first booster and winter booster).
• aged 16 to 64 years and have complex, chronic or severe conditions, including:
  • Immunocompromising conditions
  • Cancer
  • Specific chronic inflammatory conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and similar
  • Chronic lung disease.
  • Chronic liver disease.
  • Severe chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic neurological disease
  • Diabetes requiring medication
  • Chronic cardiac disease
  • People with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple
    comorbidities
  • Severe obesity
  • Severely underweight

The recommendations for an additional booster (fourth) dose focus on protecting the most vulnerable groups against severe illness.

You can get your winter COVID-19 vaccination 4 months after your first booster dose. If you get COVID-19 before your winter booster dose, wait 3 months after infection to receive it.

The COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given at the same time. Most people who are eligible for an additional winter COVID-19 booster will also be eligible for a free flu vaccine.

Should I get the flu vaccine and is it free?

Free flu vaccinations are now available to all NSW residents over the age of 6 months to boost immunity for the winter season. This is especially important if you are at higher risk of severe illness from the flu.

From 1-30 June 2022, free flu shots will be available at:

• GP’s for everyone aged 6 months and over
• pharmacies for everyone aged 5 years and over.

Get your flu shot as soon as possible to protect yourself and your loved ones.