ATAGI updates COVID-19 vaccination timing for 65-74 year olds

In February 2024, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) issued the "recommendation" that 65-74 year olds get their COVID-19 vaccinations "every 12 months and can consider a dose every 6 months".

The recommendation is in contrast to ATAGI's previous advice, issued in September 2023, that 65-74 year olds should "consider an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose if 6 months have passed since their last dose".

The recommendation for over-75s remains the same - vaccination every six months is "recommended".

There were 1,177 COVID-19 cases in residential aged care in the week to 1 March 2024, nearly 200 fewer than the previous week. More than 250 homes were affected by outbreaks, with the vast majority in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.