Everything you need to know about COVID
Australia is transitioning its COVID-19 vaccination program from a universal free model to a targeted approach for high-risk individuals. The government is currently negotiating wholesale prices, with costs for the general public expected to rise.
Why it matters
This policy shift marks the end of the pandemic-era emergency response and moves COVID-19 management into routine public health care.
People at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease can still get a free vaccine. ( Getty Images: Halfpoint Images )
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For the past five-and-a-half years, vaccines against SARS‑CoV‑2, the virus that causes COVID-19, have been free for everyone living in Australia.
From October 1, only people at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease will get the jab for free.
What does that mean for Australians more broadly and their access to the jab? And will this lead to more COVID-19 cases?
From October 1, free COVID-19 vaccines will still be available for:
And we may not know until the last week of September , according to Pharmaceutical Society of Australia vaccination ambassador and community pharmacist Julianna Neill.
That's because conversations are still ongoing with manufacturers about what the wholesale price for Australia will be.
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