Fifth COVID-19 booster shot available from today

From today, eligible Australians can get in line for a fifth COVID-19 booster vaccine.

But they aren’t available to everybody – and you may not yet be able to get one even if you would normally fit the bill.

Here is what we know about the new booster shot rules.

Australians will be able to get their COVID-19 vaccine booster shots after four months from early next year, and then three months from the end of January. — Many Australians are now eligible for their booster shot. (Getty)

Who is eligible for a fifth booster?

To start with, it doesn’t have to be your fifth for you to be eligible.

ATAGI’s official advice to the government was that anybody who had not had either COVID-19 or a booster shot in the past six months, would be eligible for a new one.

If you’ve had every shot you’re eligible for, it would be your fifth.

However, this only applies to adults – healthy children under 18 aren’t eligible for a new booster yet given their “low incidence of severe illness and high level of hybrid immunity”.

But anybody at risk of severe illness – including children aged five to 17 with health conditions – is urged to get one.

Why do I need a booster shot?

Two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine provide a very good level of protection against serious illness caused by the virus, however this can be boosted even more with extra shots.

“A booster dose will make sure the protection from the first two doses is even stronger and longer-lasting, and should help prevent spread of the virus,” the Australian Government said on introducing the third dose.

Basically, the booster shot means you’re more protected against severe disease from COVID-19 or dying from the virus.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Registered Nurse Laila prepares a Pfizer vaccine at the Belmore Sports Ground vaccination hub overseen by Dr. Jamal Rifi on October 03, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. General Practitioner, Dr. Jamal Rifi has been a GP in Australia for over 30 years, living and serving in the Belmore district from his Medical Centre in Sydney's south-west. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in Australia, Dr. Rifi and his wife Lana decided to put retirement on hold and erected tents i — You can get a booster shot after having COVID-19 as long as you no longer have symptoms. (Getty)

The website will show you all the availabilities at pharmacies, GPs and state-run clinics.

All you need to do is select one and book in.

Moderna vaccines will be made in Melbourne. — Both Pfizer and Moderna booster shots are available in Australia. (Bloomberg)

Does it matter which booster brand I get?

The Omicron-specific mRNA booster vaccines are preferred over others for this particular dose, ATAGI said.

The government has four million Omicron-specific booster doses available right now and another 10 million arriving this month.

However, if these aren’t available in your area, any brand of vaccine is said to provide a benefit.

No, but they’re strongly recommended by health authorities.

However, in some states, a third shot has been made mandatory for essential workers like health care and disability workers.

The eligibility for booster shots has been reduced to three months in NSW run vaccine hubs. — You can get a booster shot four months after your second dose in all states except NSW, Victoria and South Australia, where the interval is now three months. (James Gourley/Pool Photo via AP)

What are the side effects?

Common and mild side effects similar to those of the first two doses can occur for the booster shot.

This includes pain at the injection site, tiredness, headaches, muscle or joint pain, or fever and chills.

The Federal Government said there is limited evidence of serious side effects “such as myocarditis and pericarditis following a Pfizer and Moderna booster dose”.