COVID-19 vaccines and treatments

On this page:

• Book COVID-19 vaccination
• Who can get a COVID-19 vaccination
• Making a decision about being vaccinated
• COVID-19 childhood vaccination
• COVID-19 antiviral medications
• COVID-19 vaccination Easy Reads
• More information and FAQs for COVID-19 vaccination

Book your COVID-19 vaccination

There are a few ways you can book your COVID-19 vaccination:

1. You can use the healthdirect Service Finder to find a clinic and book your COVID-19 vaccination. It is the best way to compare clinics, check availability and book an appointment in one place.
   Find and book your next COVID-19 vaccination.
   • Wheelchair accessible - This location supports the needs of people who are using a wheelchair or have limited mobility.
   • Low sensory space available - This location has a quiet room and/or low sensory space available.
   • No Medicare card needed - People without Medicare can get a COVID-19 vaccine at this location.
   • No appointment needed - walk-ins accepted
   • Languages other than English - Some staff at this location can communicate in the languages listed.
2. The Disability Gateway can help you to make a booking to get your COVID-19 vaccine. Call 1800 643 787, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
3. You can call your doctor (also known as a GP), and ask them if they can give you a vaccine, or if they can help you find someone close by (such as the local pharmacist) who can give you a vaccine.
4. You can check if your local pharmacy can give you a vaccine.
5. If you are an NDIS participant, you can ask your NDIS provider to help you.

In residential disability accommodation

If you live in disability residential accommodation, you can have an in-reach vaccination service come to your home if you cannot go to another vaccination service, such as a GP, pharmacy, or vaccination hub. Your residential disability service provider can arrange this for you.

If you do not have a provider, you can ask your local primary health network (PHN) to assist finding someone to come to your home. Your PHN can request Commonwealth in-home support if they cannot help you to find a local provider.

Enquiries can be sent to: DisabilityCovidVaccineDelivery@health.gov.au

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccination?

Everyone 5 years and older can be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Some children aged 6 months to 4 years who are severely immunocompromised, or have disability, as well as those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine protects you from getting very sick or dying from COVID-19. Being vaccinated also helps protect people around you by slowing the spread of the virus.

Vaccinating children can help reduce community transmission and help prevent children passing the virus onto younger siblings, grandparents and the wider community.

To be considered up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination, you must have had all the doses recommended for your age and health needs.

Read more about your eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine here.

COVID-19 childhood vaccination

It’s natural for your child to be curious and to have lots of questions about COVID-19 vaccinations. Here are some tips for speaking with children before and after they receive a vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccination – How to speak with kids about COVID-19 vaccines

A children’s song has also been created to help remind families how to avoid viral infections like COVID-19- watch the Teeny Tiny Stevies song 'I got you'.

Read more about childhood vaccination here

After the vaccine

Some people have side effects after they are vaccinated. Most of these don't last long and will not make you very sick. But it’s good to be aware of what you might expect.

Learn more about side effects in this Easy Read fact sheet.

If you are worried about any side effect, contact your doctor or the place where you had your vaccination.

Very rarely, a side effect could be serious. If you have a serious side effect, call 000 or go to the hospital straight away.

After your vaccination, you still need to stay COVIDSafe. This means:

• keep space between you and other people you don't live with (called physical distancing).
• Wash your hands
• Stay at home if you are not well. Speak to your doctor if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.

COVID-19 anti-viral treatments

COVID-19 can be life threatening for adults in high-risk groups, even when they are vaccinated.

The oral antiviral treatments, which are taken as a tablet or capsule, can help to stop COVID-19 infection from becoming severe – but they need to be started early after testing positive.

Please talk to your doctor now about your COVID-19 treatment options.

There is an Easy Read resource on COVID-19 medicines and here is a video for more information COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatments. See Department of Health and Aged Care website for more information about COVID-19 treatments.

More information and FAQs for COVID 19 vaccinations

FAQs

1) Can someone come with you when you get vaccinated?

Yes, it is ok if you need someone to come with you when you get vaccinated. This could be a:

• support worker
• family member
• carer
• friend

Read Easy Read information about support on vaccination day here.

2) Do I have to wait between getting the Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccine?

In the main, COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered (that is, given on the same day) with an influenza vaccine for most people.

For children under 5 years it is preferable to separate administration of Moderna paediatric COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines by 7 – 14 days. To minimise the risk of adverse events such as fever.

• Learn more about COVID-19 and the annual flu vaccination
• Learn more about under 5 years COVID-19 and other vaccines

Read more COVID-19 vaccination FAQs- COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions

You can find more information at the Department of Health and Aged Care website: COVID-19 vaccine information for people with disability.

And there is further information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine information in languages other than English.

Carer Gateway

Information about carer supports and services. Visit the Carer Gateway

COVID-19 symptom checker

If you are unwell you can use the Symptom Checker to see if you need to get medical help or be tested or you can contact the Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

If you develop symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain, call triple zero (000) immediately. Tell the call handler and the paramedics on arrival if you have COVID-19.

Department of Health and Aged Care

Are you a Disability Service Provider? You can visit the Department of Health and Aged Care disability service provider page.

National Disability Advocacy Program

Support for people with disability to help understand and protect your rights. Visit the National Disability Advocacy Program

COVID-19 updates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Stay up to date with our latest advice on COVID-19 and other health-related information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Subscribe to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care newsletter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Other information

To book a COVID-19 vaccination in your own language

1. You can call the Healthdirect Helpline on 1800 022 222. The helpline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week and has free interpreting help.
2. The Translating and Interpreting Service is also available on 131 450.
3. For people who are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, call the National Relay Service on 133 677.