Sunshine Hub - COVID-19 Vaccination Information Sheet - Western Health COVID-19Western Health COVID-19

You have been identified as being eligible to receive the vaccine for COVID-19 as part of the criteria specified by the Commonwealth.

Western Health has been appointed by the Department of Health to manage the COVID-19 Vaccination Hub for the western metropolitan region of Melbourne.

The booking system will allow you to book an available time within the Sunshine Hub and complete a pre-vaccination screening questionnaire.

This questionnaire helps our staff to identify any potential risks associated with the vaccine, so we ask that you complete this to the best of your knowledge.

You will receive an email confirmation of your appointment.

Please read this email carefully, as it has important instructions about what you need to do on the day of your vaccination.

If you are unable to attend your vaccination appointment, please notify us as soon as possible.

Opening Hours

Open every day 8.00am – 8.00pm

Walk ins accepted (8.00am – 7.30pm) but bookings preferred to avoid wait times.

Preparing for your COVID-19 vaccination

Prior to your vaccination appointment, click on the following links to read up on:

Hub Location

Your appointment is scheduled at the Sunshine Vaccination Hub which is located at Sunshine Hospital, 176 Furlong Road, St Albans.

Click here to access Parking and Travel Information for Sunshine Hospital.

Refer to the following map for specific directions to the Sunshine Vaccination Hub.

You should not attend a COVID-19 vaccination appointment if you:

Are unwell with fever, cough, runny nose or other symptoms that could be from COVID-19.
Are awaiting COVID-19 test results.
Have tested positive with COVID-19 and you are in isolation.
Are in quarantine.
Are a close contact of someone with COVID-19.

If you fall into any of the above categories, please contact us via covidvaccination@wh.org.au or call 8345 0661. You may need to reschedule your appointment for vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines are not effective at treating COVID-19.

If you have had another vaccine in the 14 days before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, please contact us via covidvaccination@wh.org.au or call 8345 0661. You may need to reschedule your appointment.

You are not required to test for COVID-19 before vaccination if you do not have a fever or any respiratory symptoms.

Plan ahead for two doses

It is important that you receive two doses of your COVID-19 vaccine:

The two doses need to be given a few weeks apart. For the Pfizer vaccine you need to wait at least 21 days between doses. For the AstraZeneca vaccine it is recommended that you wait 12 weeks between doses.

Full protection against COVID-19 will not occur until about a week after your second dose.

What to expect at your vaccination appointment

You should bring the following to your COVID-19 vaccination appointment:

Photo ID, if you have one.

Medicare card, if you have one.
Employee ID.
Information about any of your medical conditions, allergies, bleeding disorders or weakened immune system.
Information about any medications you are taking.
Information about any reactions you have had to any vaccine in the past.
Name of your current GP/s and any specialist doctors you see.
Please ensure you are wearing a face mask.

At your appointment, you will be able to discuss any questions you have about COVID-19 vaccination.

In some circumstances, it may be better to have a discussion with your healthcare provider about vaccination before making an appointment for vaccination.

How will you receive the vaccine

You will receive the vaccine as an injection, most commonly into your upper arm muscle.

You must remain in the vaccination clinic for observation for at least 15 minutes after vaccination.

Depending on your medical history, you may be asked to wait in the clinic for 30 minutes.

Potential Side effects

The Therapeutic Goods Administration considers information about possible side effects. For a vaccine to be registered for use in Australia, the benefits must outweigh the risks. All vaccines can cause side effects. Usually any side effects are mild and temporary.
Clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines have reported temporary side effects typical of vaccines, such as:

pain or redness at the injection site, as well as
mild to moderate fever,
tiredness,
headache,
muscle aches and
chills.

For the Pfizer vaccine these side effects may be more common after the second dose, however for the AstraZeneca vaccine these side effects may be more common after the first dose.

A small number of people may have more severe side effects – defined as side effects affecting a person’s ability to do their normal daily activities. These side effects usually only last a day or two after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

It is possible that after the receiving the vaccine that you will get some COVID-19-type symptoms. If you just have pain or redness at the injection site, then you are able to continue to work. If you have a fever, temperature, tiredness, headache, muscle aches, chills or any other symptoms that can be COVID-type symptoms in the 1-2 days after having the vaccine then it is most likely a side-effect. However while you have symptoms should not come to work.
If you have any of the symptoms outlined above that subside within 1-2 days following receiving the vaccine, then you are able to safely return to work without needing to get a COVID swab.

If the symptoms do not subside after 2 days or your symptoms start to include respiratory type symptoms (including cough, sore throat and runny nose), then please remain at home and get a COVID swab.

Click on the following links for further reading on:

Key Messages

As a frontline workforce, you have been prioritised to start receiving COVID-19 vaccination.
Vaccination will be phased and the vaccine is free
By being vaccinated, you are helping to protect yourself, your family and your colleagues from serious COVID-19 health implications

If you would like further information please visit our COVID-19 Vaccination Hub Microsite.