COVID vaccines no longer free for many Australians from next month

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.

But that's about to change.

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?

Who can still get a free COVID-19 vaccine?

From October 1, free COVID-19 vaccines will still be available for:

• Adults 75 and over (two doses per year, about six months apart)
• Adults 65–74 years (one dose per year)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–74 years (one dose per year)
• Adults aged 18–64 years with severely immunocompromising conditions (one dose per year). This includes people with chronic kidney disease on dialysis and people with leukaemia. If in doubt, have a chat to your doctor.

How much will the COVID-19 vaccine cost?

We don't know yet.

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.

"Normally we go from knowing what a private vaccination costs is going to be, and then it becomes free," Ms Neill says.

"We've never really been in this situation before."

Australians typically pay between $25 and $35 for their annual flu jab, but Ms Neill anticipates the COVID-19 vaccine will cost "significantly more".

Why is the COVID vaccine rollout changing?

COVID-19 vaccines, previously funded under the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program, are moving to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) where they will sit alongside respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza vaccines.

"This reflects the shift from an emergency pandemic response to a long-term, routine program focused on protecting people at highest risk of severe illness," a spokesperson for the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing says.

During the pandemic, vaccines were made available at no cost to reach as many people as possible but are now being targeted at those most vulnerable.

Jodie McVernon, director of epidemiology at the Doherty Institute, believes this may make the vaccine more accessible for high-risk groups already rolling up their sleeves for other jabs.

"Including it with the whole package should actually increase coverage by raising awareness, and make it a normal, regular seasonal event," Professor McVernon says.

Will this mean a lower vaccine update?

Potentially.

COVID-19 vaccination rates have been dropping in recent years.

So far this year, 1.7 million people in Australia have received the COVID-19 vaccine, about 6 per cent of the population, compared to 8.9 million people who have had the flu jab.

Ms Neill says there may be a slight decline in vaccination rates following the introduction of a fee, as cost can be a barrier.

But instead of looking at Australia's overall vaccination rate, Professor McVernon says it is important to focus on vaccination rates in high-risk groups.

"The main burden of disease for COVID is in the over 75s, we actually see more COVID deaths than flu deaths," she says.

"But not even 40 per cent of people in that age group get the [COVID-19] vaccine."

Will this mean more COVID-19 cases?

It's hard to say.

Over the past few years, the number of reported cases of COVID-19 in Australia has decreased. 

But Immunisation Coalition chairman Rod Pearce says many cases are not reported, which means the true number of infections is likely to be much higher.

Dr Pearce says there may be more COVID-19 cases if fewer people are vaccinated and more SARS‑CoV‑2 is circulating.

Professor McVernon says the decline in the number of hospitalisations and deaths over time is a "good indication" the health burden from COVID-19 isn't as significant as it once was. 

"We see successive waves year-on-year, and over time, as the population becomes more immune through repeated exposure and vaccination, the infections we see overall are less severe."

Any other health advice?

If you want a COVID booster but you’re not eligible for a free jab, now is the time to contact your local clinic as changes won't come in until October 1.

You can find and book a COVID-19 vaccine online, or reach out to your GP or pharmacist for more information.

Even if you aren’t in a high-risk group, getting vaccinated can still help protect you against long COVID and limit transmission of the virus if you do get infected, Dr Pearce says.

"Most of it is about having a rapid immune response, because your body is ready to fight the infection as soon as you get it," he says.

Professor McVernon says it is also important to remember basic hygiene principles to help limit transmission, including staying home if you're sick, washing hands frequently and wearing a mask if unwell.