Australians will lose free access to this vaccine. Here's what it could cost

Australians who have previously received COVID-19 vaccines for free could soon face an out-of-pocket cost, with experts warning price could become a barrier for some people who still stand to benefit from vaccination.

From 1 October, COVID-19 vaccines will move into the routine National Immunisation Program (NIP), replacing the stand-alone National COVID-19 Vaccine Program established during the pandemic.

Under the new arrangements, funded vaccination will be targeted at people considered most at risk of severe COVID-19, while those outside the eligibility criteria can choose to buy a vaccine privately.

But there is currently no nationally set price for a privately purchased COVID-19 vaccine.

The Department of Health told SBS News in a statement that private vaccine supply and pricing were commercial matters for manufacturers and providers, and that the government did not control private-market prices.

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The Pharmacy Guild of Australia also said it was too early to give patients a reliable estimate of the total cost.

"Without knowing the cost of buying the vaccine, it is impossible to provide a reliable indicative total cost to patients," a spokesperson told SBS News.

"Individual pharmacies will set their prices taking into account the cost of purchasing the vaccine and providing the vaccination service."

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Public Health Special Interest Group chair Dr Peter Markey said he expected privately purchased COVID-19 vaccines could cost between $30 and $80, although he stressed no price had yet been confirmed.

He said the eventual cost would depend on individual pharmacies and encouraged people who wanted a vaccine to compare prices.

"Let's hope it's not going to be too much more than the regular seasonal flu vaccine," Markey said.

The Pharmacy Guild said COVID-19 vaccination would remain a core pharmacy service, with Australia's 6,000 community pharmacies continuing to provide vaccinations.

Professor Julie Leask, professor of Public Health at the University of Sydney's Infectious Diseases Institute, said she supported the COVID-19 vaccine being normalised as part of the routine vaccination schedule.