Consumer Vaccination

Phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout started on 22 March 2021. People can check if they are eligible and find their local service to make an appointment using the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker tool <https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility-checker>

The eligibility checker has been updated to include:

• • • • • if eligible for vaccination now, a link to support people make a booking.
        • if not eligible for vaccination now, a link to register to receive a notification when they are eligible to schedule a vaccination appointment.
        • links to useful information about the COVID-19 vaccines and the vaccination proces

The vaccine eligibility checker is now available in multiple languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Punjabi, Korean and Turkish.

Priority groups for COVID-19 Vaccination Program: Phase 1b <https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/priority-groups-for-covid-19-vaccination-program-phase-1b> [updated 18 March]

COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Communication Kit for GPRC and GPs <https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/covid-19-vaccination-covid-19-vaccine-provider-communication-kit-for-gprc-and-gps> [new]

Printable factsheets and posters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander vaccine providers <https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-vaccine-provider-kit> [updated 18 March].

Invitation to receive a COVID-19 vaccine – healthcare workers

Preparing for COVID-19 vaccination <https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-preparing-for-covid-19-vaccination>.

Information about the AstraZeneca vaccine <https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-covid-19-astrazeneca-vaccine>

After your AstraZeneca vaccine <https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-astrazeneca-vaccine>.

COVID-19 vaccine factsheets are available in English <https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/covid-19-vaccination-advice-for-covid-19-vaccine-providers> and have been translated into 63 languages <https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-information-in-your-language>.

Read more about supporting COVID-19 vaccine recipients <https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/supporting-covid-19-vaccine-recipients>. Patients should also be advised to see their GP if they experience an unexpected, persistent or severe reaction following immunisation, or if they are worried.

COVID-19 vaccines – Is it true? – a new Australian Government webpage that provides accurate, evidence-based answers to questions about COVID-19 vaccines and addresses concerns and misinformation: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccines-is-it-true [added 14 March 2021]

ATAGI has also generated a statement for consumers on a specific clotting condition being reported after COVID-19 vaccination. Click here

New COVID-19 vaccination ‘Easy Read’ resources have been developed, including an updated Easy Read AstraZeneca vaccine factsheet.

If you want to check any symptoms following your vaccination a vaccine side effects tracker has been released by the Australian Government

You can contact the Federal Government’s COVID vaccine enquiries email if you have any questions about the safety of the vaccine.

10 March 2021: The TGA has reported encouraging new data on the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines in older people <https://www.tga.gov.au/alert/covid-19-vaccines-safety-and-effectiveness-older-adults> … the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) continues to review data from Australia and overseas relating to the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in older adults. Our monitoring has not detected any new safety signals in relation to COVID-19 vaccines to date.