Covid-19

About COVID-19 Vaccination

People who have a COVID-19 vaccination have a much lower chance of getting sick from the disease called COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccination is free. You choose to have the vaccination or not.

To be vaccinated you will get a needle in your arm. You need to have the vaccination two times on different days. There are different brands of vaccine. You need to have the same brand of vaccine both times. The person giving you your vaccination will tell you when you need to have the second vaccination.

Medical experts have studied COVID-19 vaccines to make sure they are safe. Most side effects are mild and don’t last for long. As with any vaccine or medicine, there may be rare and/or unknown side effects.

You can also tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects like a sore arm, headache, fever or something else. If you have a side effect that worries you, please call your doctor. You may be contacted within the week after receiving the vaccine to see how you are feeling after vaccination.

Some people may still get COVID-19 after vaccination. So you must still follow public health precautions as required in your state or territory to stop the spread of COVID-19 including:

• keep your distance – stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people
• washing your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitiser
• wear a mask, if your state or territory has advised you should
• stay home if you are unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms and
  arrange to get a COVID-19 test.

Vaccination providers record all vaccinations on the Australian Immunisation Register, as required by Australian law. You can view your vaccination record online through your:

• Medicare account
• MyGov account
• MyHealthRecord account.

How is the information you provide at your appointment used?

For information on how your personal details are collected, stored and used visit  https://www.health.gov.au/covid19-vaccines

On the day you receive your vaccine

Before you get vaccinated, tell the person giving you the vaccination if you:

• Have any allergies, particularly anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction). An allergy is when you come near or in contact with something and your body reacts to it and you get sick very quickly. This may include things like an itchy rash, your tongue getting bigger, your breathing getting faster, you wheeze or your heart beating faster.
• If you have an Epi Pen or have had one before.
• If you are immunocompromised. This means that you have a weakened immune system that may make it harder for you to fight infections and other diseases. Sometimes a disease like diabetes or cancer can cause this or certain medicines or treatments you take, such as medicine for cancer.