What you need to know

Vaccines and boosters

COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against severe COVID-19 infection. It can be confusing to keep up with the news on when to get a vaccine and who is eligible. In summary, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has the following recommendations:

A 2023 booster dose is recommended for adults who are either:

• Aged 65+ years or over, or
• Aged 18-64 years who have medical comorbidities that increase risk of severe COVID-19 infection, or disability.

It is also recommended that all adults aged 75+ years receive an additional 2023 COVID-19 booster dose if 6 months have passed since their last dose.

The following groups should consider a 2023 booster dose:

• All Adults aged 18-64 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19
• Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.

The following groups should consider an additional 2023 COVID-19 booster dose if 6 months have passed since their last dose, after discussion with their healthcare provider:

• All Adults aged 65-74 years, or
• Adults aged 18-64 years with severe immunocompromise.

The following groups should consider an additional 2023 COVID-19 booster dose if 6 months have passed since their last dose, after discussion with their healthcare provider:

• All Adults aged 65-74 years

A booster dose is not recommended at this time for children and adolescents aged under the age of 18 who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.

Booster doses should be received if your last COVID-19 vaccination or confirmed infection was 6 months ago or longer (regardless of the number of boosters received to date). For more information, visit the Department of Health website  here. We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about vaccines, staying well and what to do if you get COVID-19.

Antiviral treatment

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for antiviral treatment if you are:

• 70 years of age or older
• 50-69 years of age and with one additional risk factor
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 30 years or older and with one additional risk factor
• An adult who is moderately to severely immunocompromised
• An adult who has experienced a past COVID-19 infection resulting in hospitalisation

Additional risk factors include living in residential aged care, pre-existing health conditions such as chronic respiratory conditions, or living remotely with reduced access to higher level healthcare. For a full list of risk factors, visit the Department of Health website. Check your eligibility for antivirals here.

If you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, it can help to have a conversation with your GP before contracting COVID-19 about your individual circumstances. Together, you can develop a plan to ensure you can access antiviral treatment quickly if you need it.

It is also recommended that all adults aged 75+ years receive an additional 2023 COVID-19 booster dose if 6 months have passed since their last dose.

Rapid Antigen Tests

If you have tested negative for COVID-19 using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) but have been a close contact with someone who tested positive, you may be wondering whether the negative result is correct. The Therapeutic Goods Association is reviewing all RATs included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

Check whether your RAT has been independently tested and found to be effective here.

Characteristics and impact of long COVID-19 in people with lung disease

In 2022, Lung Foundation Australia commissioned The George Institute for Global Health to complete a scoping literature review to look at the characteristics and impact of long COVID-19 in people with lung disease.

COVID-19: A roadmap for recovery

The latest report COVID-19: A roadmap for recovery report by Lung Foundation Australia discusses the results from our national survey about the experiences of Australians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of ongoing COVID-19 symptoms.

Being prepared

If you or your loved one is living with a lung condition, it is important to be prepared in the event of receiving a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.  A plan may be developed with your treating healthcare team or GP and could include:

• Instruction (action plan) on the actions to take if your usual symptoms change or worsen
• Up-to-date prescriptions for both regular medications and emergency medications (if they are part of your plan)
• When to seek further medical care or call an ambulance.

Click on your state or territory here to see relevant links to health department advice, translated resources and long COVID clinics (where applicable).