A FURTHER 1.5 million Australians will be eligible for a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from May 30.

The Australian government has accepted advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) to expand booster rollouts.

People aged between 16 and 64 who have a medical condition that increases their risk of severe COVID-19 illness, people with a disability, or people with significant or complex health needs, will eligible to receive the fourth jab.

The new eligibility includes people with immuno-compromised conditions, cancers, specific chronic inflammatory conditions, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, severe chronic kidney disease, chronic neurological disease, diabetes requiring medication, chronic cardiac disease, people with multiple comorbidities which increase risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19, severe obesity or severely underweight.

People who become eligible for their fourth dose, but have had a recent infection of COVID-19, should delay their vaccination until three months after their infection.

The government say they will work with medical experts, states and territories and community groups, “to ensure each and every Australian knows the importance of vaccination and how they can take up their opportunity to remain protected.”