COVID-19 vaccine funding ‘no longer universal’ under shift to NIP
More than 76 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given since 2021.
Funded COVID-19 vaccines will be limited to older adults and patients with severe immunocompromise once the Federal Government finally adds them to the National Immunisation Program.
More than 76 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given since 2021 under the standalone National COVID-19 Vaccine Program, which funds them for all patients — even those without Medicare.
On 1 October, they will finally go on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) with other funded vaccines and will “no longer be available as a universal program”, says the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Vaccines will be funded for patients aged 65 and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and older and adults with severe immunocompromise.
