Which vaccine and for whom?
The Australian Government has agreed to acquire COVID-19 vaccines from these manufacturers: Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca and Novavax. Each vaccine will requires 2 doses (3 to 12 weeks apart).
Vaccines from other manufacturers may be acquired in future via the COVAX Facility if they are found to be successful in clinical trials.
The COVID-19 vaccine will be voluntary and free to everyone in Australia. If you choose not to have a COVID-19 vaccine your eligibility for Government payments won’t be affected.
When?
Phase 1a - up to 1.4m doses
Quarantine and border workers. Frontline health care worker. Aged care and disability care staff. Aged care and disability care residents
Phase 1b - up to 14.8m doses
Elderly adults aged 70 years and over. Other health care workers. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people > 55. Younger adults with an underlying medical condition, including those with a disability. Critical and high risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing.
Phase 2a - up to 15.8m doses
Adults aged 50 - 69 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 18-54. Other critical and high risk workers
Phase 2b - up to 16m doses
Balance of adult population. Catch up any unvaccinated Australians from previous phases
Phase 3 - up to 13.6m doses
Children < 16 years if recommended (Pfizer vaccine only)
Common questions and answers
Can I choose the vaccine?
No. The best vaccine to have is the one that you are able to get.
Can I have the vaccine if I am allergic to eggs?
Yes. More information from The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy can be found at https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/ascia-covid-19-vaccination-faq
Can I have the vaccine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
There is not enough data now so it is currently not recommended
What happens if I have reaction to the first dose?
If you have a non-allergic reaction you can still receive the second dose. These reactions include fainting (vasovagal syncope) and skin reactions other than hives (urticaria).
If you have a mild or moderate allergic reaction, such as a skin reaction, including hives (urticaria), to the first dose, you should receive the second dose with a longer observation period, of at least 30 minutes.
If you have anaphylaxis to the first dose, you should be referred to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist for assessment, before a second dose is considered.
What about flu vaccine?
A gap of at least 14 days is recommended