ATAGI advice on the preferential use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for primary vaccination of people aged 12 years or older
ATAGI has made recommendations on the use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as a primary course.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has reviewed the available evidence and advises that for people aged 12 years or older, a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is now preferred over original (ancestral) vaccines for primary vaccination.
ATAGI further advises that:
- people aged 12-17 years are recommended to receive a BA.4/5-containing bivalent vaccine for both the primary course and booster doses
- people aged ≥18 years are recommended to receive either a BA.1-containing bivalent vaccine or a BA.4/5-containing bivalent vaccine for both the primary course and booster doses
- people aged ≥12 who have commenced their primary course with an original (ancestral) vaccine are recommended to complete the course with a bivalent vaccine
ATAGI considers there to be no additional safety concerns when using bivalent vaccines for the primary course, compared with the original vaccines.
When using a bivalent vaccine for primary vaccination, the number of doses and the interval between the doses are the same as for the original (ancestral) vaccine formulations.
Original (ancestral) vaccines continue to be available for individuals aged ≥12 years who either prefer to not to receive a bivalent primary course; or who cannot or choose not to have an mRNA vaccine.
There is currently no bivalent vaccine available for children aged 6 months – 11 years, and existing original vaccines should continue to be used for this age group.
The ATAGI COVID-19 2023 Booster Advice provides guidance on which individuals are recommended, or can consider, a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for additional protection against severe COVID-19.
Visit the ATAGI website for more information
