For health professionals

• Expanded ATAGI recommendations on winter COVID-19 booster doses for people at increased risk of severe COVID-19

  An additional winter dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people at an increased risk, to be given 4 months after their first booster dose. This applies to people aged 16–64 years who have:

  • a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness (see Table 1 for expanded groups)
  • people with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities which increase risk of a poor outcome from COVID-19.

  
  Related resource: 

  Expanded ATAGI recommendations on winter COVID-19 booster doses for people at increased risk of severe COVID-19

• Updated recommendation on interval between SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination

  People are recommended to defer COVID-19 vaccination for 3 months after a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection to optimise their protection.

  Related resource:

  Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines

• Risks of myocarditis and pericarditis after administration of mRNA vaccines

  There is a link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines – such as Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) – and rare side effects of myocarditis and pericarditis. These side effects are reported to be seen more commonly in males under 30 years of age after the second dose of an mRNA vaccine. There is a dedicated Comirnaty (Pfizer), Spikevax (Moderna) and cardiac inflammation web page that provides information, guidance and detailed resources on these side effects. 

  The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) details Australian cases of myocarditis and pericarditis associated with mRNA vaccines in the COVID-19 weekly safety report. 

  Related resources:

  • Clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers
  • Guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

• AusVaxSafety (as at 30 May 2022)

  AusVaxSafety is conducting comprehensive active safety monitoring of all COVID-19 vaccines being used in Australia. The latest safety surveillance data report on adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination for all participants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

  Over 6.3 million participants have responded to surveys, with 44.4% reporting an adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination. Most common adverse events include injection site pain, fatigue, headache and other expected side effects following immunisation.

  Related resource: AusVaxSafety COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance

• Therapeutic Goods Administration

  The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is closely monitoring suspected adverse events following vaccination with both COVID-19 vaccines in use in Australia. The latest weekly safety report of the TGA provides detailed information about the reported side effects for COVID-19 vaccines, total adverse event reports, reporting rates per 1000 doses by jurisdiction, and most commonly reported vaccine side effects. 

  The most frequently reported suspected side effects continue to be events that were seen in the clinical trials and are commonly experienced with vaccines generally.
   

  Related resource: TGA COVID-19 vaccine safety weekly report

• World Health Organization tracker

  Information about SARS-CoV-2 variants can be found on the World Health Organization (WHO) website as WHO is tracking the variants. 

  Related resource: WHO Variants of concern

   

• Comirnaty, Vaxzevria, Spikevax and Novavax

  A summary table comparing the COVID-19 vaccines in Australia is available under COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions on the NCIRS website. In addition, the vaccines ingredients and efficacy are as follows:  

  	Vaxzevria (COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca) Red cap	Comirnaty (Pfizer) – 12 years and older Purple cap	Comirnaty (Pfizer)  – 5-11 years and older Orange cap	Spikevax (Moderna) Red cap	NUVAXOVID COVID-19 VACCINE (adjuvanted)
  Ingredients (List of excipients)	Histidine Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate\ Sodium chloride Magnesium chloride hexahydrate Disodium edetate (EDTA) Sucrose Ethanol absolute Polysorbate 80 Water for injection	((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (ALC-0315) 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide (ALC-0159) Distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) Cholesterol Potassium chloride Monobasic potassium phosphate Sodium chloride Dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate ehydrate Sucrose Water for injections	((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (ALC-0315) 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide (ALC-0159) Distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) Cholesterol Trometamol Trometamol hydrochloride SucroseWater for injections	Heptadecan-9-yl 8-[2-hydroxyethyl-(6-oxo-6-undecoxyhexyl)amino]octanoate Cholesterol Distearoylphosphatidylcholine 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycero-3-methoxypolyethylene glycol-2000 (PEG2000-DMG) Trometamol Trometamol hydrochloride Acetic acid Sodium acetate trihydrate Sucrose Water for injection	Matrix-M adjuvant, which contains:  Quillaja Saponaria saponins fraction Quillaja Saponaria saponins fraction cholesterol  phosphatidyl choline  monobasic potassium phosphate  potassium chloride  Dibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate  Monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate  Sodium chloride  Polysorbate 80  Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment)  Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)  Water for injections

  Resource: COVID-19 vaccine product information

• Common questions answered

  NCIRS COVID-19: Frequently asked questions

  This webpage is updated regularly with new questions and answers, and advice as it becomes available.

  NCIRS COVID-19 and children: Frequently asked questions

  This newly developed webpage answers questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children, vaccine safety and effectiveness, and schooling.

  Decision aid (16+ years): Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

  This decision aid is designed to help you decide, in five simple steps, whether COVID-19 vaccination is right for you. 

  Decision aid (5–15 years): Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine for my child?

  This decision aid is designed to help you decide, in five simple steps, whether COVID-19 vaccination is right for your child.

  COVID-19 vaccines – Is it true?

  This resource from the Department of Health answers common questions on COVID-19 vaccines and is available in 63 languages.

  VaxFACTS

  This resource from the University of Melbourne provides answers to some key questions about COVID‑19 vaccines and vaccination in short video clips. 

• Case numbers

  Coronavirus (COVID-19) case numbers and statistics

• Vaccination reporting and specialist guidance

  Discussion guide for medical exemptions 

  General COVID-19 vaccine exemptions fact sheet

  Specialist immunisation services

  Accessing the Australian Immunisation Register

  ASCIA Allergy, Immunodeficiency, Autoimmunity and COVID-19 Vaccination Position Statement

  ASCIA Allergy and COVID-19 Vaccination - Guide for health professionals 

  ASCIA Immunodeficiency, Autoimmunity and COVID-19 Vaccination - Guide for health professionals

  COVID-19 vaccines and cancer: Health professional guidance