If you have not had a recent COVID-19 vaccination, now is a good time to check whether you are due. A COVID-19 booster is a follow-up dose of the COVID-19 vaccine that helps maintain your protection against serious illness as the virus continues to evolve. In Australia, booster recommendations have been updated for 2026 based on the latest clinical evidence, and certain groups are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with their doses.
Why Boosters Are Still Important
The immunity provided by earlier COVID-19 vaccination doses does diminish over time. As the virus continues to circulate and new variants emerge, updated booster doses help bridge the gap and provide renewed protection, particularly against severe disease, hospitalisation, and death. For most Australians, the primary concern is not infection itself but the risk of serious illness if infected.
This is especially relevant for older Australians, those with chronic health conditions, and people with weakened immune systems, all of whom face a higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.
Current Australian Recommendations for 2026
According to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, the current booster recommendations for 2026 are as follows. Adults aged 75 and over are recommended to receive a COVID-19 booster every six months. Adults aged 65 to 74 are recommended to receive a booster every 12 months, with consideration of a six-month interval in some cases. Adults aged 18 to 64 with certain medical conditions or risk factors may also be eligible for a booster. All COVID-19 vaccinations remain free for everyone in Australia, including people who do not hold a Medicare card.
Which Booster Vaccines Are Available?
Australia’s vaccine program for 2026 includes updated formulations designed to target current circulating variants. The primary vaccines in use are Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna). Both are mRNA vaccines that have a well-established safety profile backed by extensive global data. Your healthcare provider will recommend the most suitable option based on your age, health history, and previous vaccination record.
Side Effects to Be Aware Of
Most people experience only mild and temporary side effects after a booster dose. These commonly include a sore arm at the injection site, fatigue, headache, mild fever, and muscle aches. These symptoms typically resolve within one to three days and are a normal sign of your immune system responding to the vaccine.
Serious adverse events such as allergic reactions are rare. All vaccination sites in Australia are required to have protocols in place for managing adverse reactions, and you will typically be asked to wait 15 minutes after your injection before leaving. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, let your vaccinator know before your appointment.
Where to Get Your Booster
COVID-19 booster shots are available at a wide range of locations across Australia, including GP clinics, community pharmacies, and dedicated vaccination hubs. Blooms The Chemist pharmacies provide COVID-19 vaccinations at convenient locations across the country, with trained pharmacist vaccinators on site. No GP referral is required, and walk-ins are often accepted alongside scheduled appointments.
How to Check Your Vaccination History
Your COVID-19 vaccination history is recorded in the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), which can be accessed through your Medicare online account via myGov. This record is useful when checking whether you are due for a booster and can also be required for certain employment or travel purposes.
Staying Protected as We Move Through 2026
The COVID-19 landscape has changed significantly since the pandemic peak, but the virus remains in circulation and continues to cause illness, particularly in vulnerable populations. Staying up to date with recommended boosters is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of serious disease and protect those around you.
Speak with your pharmacist or GP if you are unsure whether you are due for a booster, or book directly through Blooms The Chemist to get your vaccination at a time and location that suits you.
