COVID-19 Vaccination Program FAQs
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Following a review of the use of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends that the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer is preferred over the COVID-19 vaccine by AstraZeneca in adults aged under 50 years. Find out more.
The COVID-19 vaccinations reduce the community’s risk of COVID-19 outbreaks and will help to reduce symptoms and side-effects of COVID-19 if you are exposed.
There’s growing evidence that vaccinated people are less infectious if they do catch COVID-19, which means getting vaccinated is the best way you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
The COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out in phases across South Australia to ensure priority groups can access the vaccine.
The phases are as follows:
COVID-19 can cause very serious disease, long term health issues, and sometimes death.
COVID-19 can be a serious illness for anyone who gets it, including people who are young, fit and otherwise healthy.
There’s growing evidence that vaccinated people are less infectious if they do catch COVID-19, which means getting vaccinated is the best way you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
People who are not eligible for Medicare can still get the COVID-19 vaccine for free.
Those eligible in Phase 1a and Phase 1b can currently get the free vaccine at GP-led Respiratory Clinics, with no requirement for a Medicare card.
More options may be available in later stages of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
It’s important that people working in high risk areas are given access to the vaccine as early as possible, which is why you’ve been included in Phase 1a of the national roll out.
Your occupational risk of exposure to COVID-19 should be considered when discussing your role and responsibility with your employer. Individual employers may consider company policies regarding the COVID-19 vaccine that consider occupational health and safety risks.
The vaccine is not mandated by the Australian or State Governments.
Both COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Australia are suitable for vaccinating older people.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has stated that older adults should be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination.
ATAGI has stated that the risk of ongoing health issues and death from COVID-19 is highest in older age groups, particularly rising from 50 years of age.
In rare instances, additional evaluation may be indicated of the appropriateness of vaccination in very frail individuals with severe pre-existing conditions or at the end of life.
Patients and/or their families, representatives and carers can talk to their GP or a health professional about the COVID-19 vaccines.
Clinical trials for new medicines do not typically include pregnant or breastfeeding participants.
If you are planning a pregnancy, you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You do not need to avoid becoming pregnant before or after vaccination. You are not required to have a pregnancy test before getting vaccinated.
If you are breastfeeding, you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at any time. You do not need to stop breastfeeding before or after vaccination.
Currently in Australia we are not routinely recommending COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women. You and your health professional should consider whether the potential benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential risks.
Further international data regarding this issue is expected to be available soon.
For more information, read the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy.
There is no evidence suggesting that fertility problems are a side effect of ANY vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccines.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration will not approve a vaccine for use in Australia unless it is safe and effective. This includes impacts on fertility. There is no evidence that antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccination cause any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta.
People who are trying to become pregnant now or who plan to try in the future may receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them.
For more information, read the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy.
It is not expected that the vaccine can cause any serious problems in pregnant women or their babies.
Other vaccines given during pregnancy, such as the influenza vaccine or whooping cough vaccine, do not cause more side effects in pregnant women or their babies. They do protect newborn babies from these diseases.
The COVID-19 vaccines have not yet been studied in pregnant women, though real-world data is starting to become available for babies who have been born after their mothers had the COVID-19 vaccine.
Multiple babies have now been born with COVID-19 antibodies because their mothers were vaccinated.
For more information, read the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy.
Immunocompromised people are being prioritised to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1b of the roll out, as they are at increased risk of severe outcomes with COVID-19.
None of the COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved, or are currently being considered for approval, in Australia contain the live COVID-19 virus, which means they are safe for immunocompromised people.
Immunocompromised people should follow the advice from their doctor regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, including considering when to get the vaccine amongst any other treatments or medications.
In the first phase of the roll out, only those people who have been listed in the priority groups will receive the vaccine. The vaccine will be available to other people in later stages of the roll out.
Evryone currently receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, CAR-T-cell therapies, hormonal therapies or stem cell transplants can still receive the vaccine. However, it's a good idea to talk to your treating doctor about timing your vaccine with your other treatments.
People with active cancer or who are undergoing cancer treatment are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection and death when compared with the general population. People with active blood cancers are at especially high risk. This is why people with these cancers have been included in the priority groups in Phase 1b.
People who have haematological cancers diagnosed within the last 5 years (e.g. leukaemia, lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome) and people that have non-haematological cancer diagnosed in the last 12 months are eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1b of the rollout.
Read more information on getting vaccinated against COVID-19 while you have cancer.
People with underlying medical conditions will be eligible to receive the vaccination in Phase 1b of the rollout.
For more information about whether your specific medical condition is included in this list, use the Australian Government’s Vaccine Eligibility Checker, call the National COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line on 1800 020 080 or read the South Australian rollout plan.
Eligible underlying medical conditions include:
For more information about whether your specific medical condition is included in this list, use the Australian Government’s Vaccine Eligibility Checker, call the National COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line on 1800 020 080 or read the South Australian rollout plan.
Examples of evidence can include:
Where no appropriate evidence is available, you can fill out the Eligibility Declaration Form (PDF 237KB).
More information is available in the South Australian rollout plan.
It is still safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you have dermal fillers.
Infrequently, people who have received dermal fillers might experience swelling at or near the site of filler injection (usually on the face or lips) after being vaccinated.
Evidence suggests these reactions can be triggered by viral and bacterial illness, vaccinations such as the influenza or COVID-19 vaccine, and dental procedures.
The swelling appears to be temporary, may resolve without treatment, and responds well to medical treatment if necessary.
Please contact your healthcare provider if you experience swelling at or near a dermal filler site following your vaccination.
Clinical trials for new medicines do not typically include children as participants. Further clinical trials for other COVID-19 vaccines will include children.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) will continue to provide advice in relation to children.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have currently approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals aged 16 years and over, and the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals aged 50 years and over.
You should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection, due to the severe health risks and as reinfection with COVID-19 is possible. Experts do not yet know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The natural immunity developed by people who have had COVID-19 varies.
As long as you are feeling well, and no longer have confirmed infection it is recommended to still receive COVID-19 vaccines.
There is no known disadvantage to having the COVID-19 vaccine when previously exposed or infected with COVID-19.