Who needs another COVID vaccine - and who might be able to skip it?
This article outlines updated COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for Australians, emphasizing that boosters are primarily for high-risk groups such as the elderly and those with chronic conditions. It provides specific guidance on frequency based on age and health status to prevent severe disease and hospitalization.
Why it matters
Clear public health communication is essential for managing ongoing endemic diseases and protecting vulnerable populations from preventable mortality.
Dmytro Sheremeta/Getty Images Who needs another COVID vaccine – and who might be able to skip it? Published: July 14, 2026 1:22am EDT https://theconversation.com/who-needs-another-covid-vaccine-and-who-might-be-able-to-skip-it-284941 https://theconversation.com/who-needs-another-covid-vaccine-and-who-might-be-able-to-skip-it-284941 Link copied Share article Share article
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The COVID pandemic feels like a long time ago. Now, we have widespread immunity from vaccination and natural infection. And getting COVID is less risky than it was five years ago.
But COVID can still lead to hospitalisation and deaths in older people, pregnant women and those with underlying chronic diseases, such as asthma or heart disease.
Each year in Australia, COVID is estimated to cause 2,000–5,000 deaths and more than 100,000 hospitalisations. COVID was the leading infectious cause of death in Australia between 2020-2025 , with 4,613 deaths in 2023, 3,908 in 2024 and 1,722 deaths in 2025.
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