Getting a COVID-19 vaccine
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 5 years and over are eligible to receive two primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The 2023 booster is available for:
- everyone aged 18 and above
- at risk children aged between 5 and 17 years.
The 2023 booster dose is particularly recommended for people at higher risk of severe illness, including:
- everyone aged 65 and above
- everyone aged 18 and above who are at risk.
On 1 September 2023, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation updated its booster recommendation.
An additional 2023 booster dose is recommended for people 75 years and above.
An additional 2023 booster dose can be considered for:
- people aged between 65 and 74 years
- people aged between 18 and 64 years with severe immunocompromise.
At risk adults and children include those with a disability, severely compromised immune system and complex or multiple health conditions, which increase their risk of severe COVID-19.
You may need additional doses based on your medical condition. Please speak with your healthcare professional.
Culturally safe vaccination
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- Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service (Albury, Wodonga and Wangaratta)
- Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) (North Ballarat)
- Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC) (North Bendigo)
- Budja Budja Aboriginal Cooperative (Halls Gap)
- Dandenong & District Aborigines Co-operative (Dandenong)
- Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly & Community Health Service Inc. (Portland)
- First Peoples Health and Wellbeing (Thomastown and Frankston)
- Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative (Bairnsdale)
- Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative (Horsham)
- Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd. (Warrnambool)
- Kirrae Health Services Inc. (Purnim)
- Mallee District Aboriginal Services (Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang)
- Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland (Orbost)
- Njernda Aboriginal Medical Centre (Echuca)
- Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation (Sale and Morwell)
- Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative (Shepparton)
- Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative (Geelong)
- Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (Fitzroy and Epping)
Information for people who have recovered from COVID-19
If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s still important to get vaccinated, including getting any booster doses you are eligible for. An infection with COVID-19 will provide some natural immunity, but it will decrease over time. Vaccination is important to get maximum protection against further COVID-19 infections.
You can have your booster dose 6 months after your last dose or COVID infection.
Waiting for a 6-month period after infection before COVID-19 vaccination is to provide better and longer protection against re-infection from COVID-19.
People with Long COVID-19 symptoms can still get vaccinated (including third doses) and can discuss this with their doctor or Aboriginal health service if they have any questions.
View the ATAGI on vaccination after COVID-19 infection, or more information in the Victorian COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines.
Who you can talk to if you have questions
If you have concerns about your health and getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your doctor or your local Aboriginal health service.
You can also call the free COVID-19 National Helpline on 1800 020 080. Open 9 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week, you can call this number and have a yarn with culturally safe staff who can answer your questions and direct you to support services.
Registered Nurse Naz Rind discusses how to support your community by getting vaccinated
COVID-19 vaccines, fertility and pregnancy
Currently, there’s no evidence to show that COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility in women or men.
You can get a vaccine if you are:
- trying to become pregnant, or
- already pregnant, or at any stage of your pregnancy.
In fact, the risk of getting very sick due to COVID-19 is much higher for pregnant people and their unborn babies.
Getting vaccinated while pregnant may even help give your baby some level of protection from COVID-19.
Dr Glenn Harrison discusses COVID-19 vaccine side effects
Dr. Ngaree Blow discusses COVID-19 vaccine safety
Stay COVIDSafe, even after your COVID-19 vaccine
Even after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, you still need to be COVIDSafe.
Remember, there's some people that cannot get vaccinated for some medical reasons, so staying COVIDSafe helps keep them safe.
Get tested for COVID-19 if you:
- feel even a little unwell
- have been in close contact with someone who might have COVID-19.
Then, stay home until you receive a negative result.
To stay COVIDSafe:
- wash your hands with soap and water often, or use hand sanitiser when you can't wash your hands
- keep 1.5 metres distance from other people (physically distance)
- wear a face mask inside where asked, or when you can't physically distance
- cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Don't go to a vaccine appointment if you feel unwell or think you may have COVID-19.
More information
For more information, call the National COVID-19 Helpline on 1800 020 080, or visit COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Resources
- Vaccination Side Effects PfizerVaccination Side Effects ModernaFactsheet - Talking about vaccination with kidsFactsheet - COVID-19 Vaccination: Dealing with needle distressFactsheet - COVID-19 vaccination planning for young childrenCOVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years - Easy EnglishVaccination Campaign Stakeholder Kit - children aged 5 to 11 years
Reviewed 20 September 2023