COVID vaccine rollout

Family Doctors Plus is participating in the COVID vaccine rollout. Like all GP clinics we have been allocated the Astra Zeneca COVID vaccine. We have been allocated only 50 vaccine doses per week initially. This has been the case for most GP clinics and we request your patience. We have capacity to offer more vaccines as they become available.

The Australian Government has prioritised people in higher risk groups. Currently only people who are eligible for phase 1a and phase 1b are being vaccinated. Please note, we cannot vaccinate people who are not yet eligible for the vaccines as per the Department of Health.

For more information on COVID vaccines visit health.gov.au

Phase 1a priority population groups include:

quarantine and border workers;
frontline health care workers;
aged care and disability residents; and
aged care and disability care staff.

Phase 1b priority population groups include:

people 70 years of age and over;
health care workers currently employed;
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over 55 years;
household contacts of quarantine and border workers;
younger people with a specified underlying medical condition, including people with a significant disability; and
critical and high risk workers currently employed.

AstraZeneca Vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccination program

The Australian Government received advice and recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) about the AstraZeneca vaccine. There has been a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and a condition involving thrombosis (blood clotting) with thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet counts). This is an extremely rare condition.

ATAGI have recommended that Comirnaty (Pfizer) is the preferred COVID-19 vaccine for adults under 50 years of age at this time. However, adults in this age group may still choose to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine if they have weighed up the benefits and the risks. Talk to your doctor or vaccine provider to help inform your decision.

More information on what this means can be found at www.health.gov.au/covid19-vaccines

This recommendation is made out of an abundance of caution and the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe for the vast majority of people.

For more information from the Australian Dept of Health regarding the Astra Zeneca Vaccine addressing the risk of thrombosis/clotting click here

How to book into the COVID vaccination clinic at Family Doctors Plus?

Our online COVID vaccine booking system will go live after the 5^th of April 2021. Once you have confirmed your eligibility you will be able to book an appointment using our online booking system. We request that you book online if possible. If you have no internet access, you are able to book by calling reception. We request you fill in all the information requested and read the consent form on the online booking system.

If you have queries about the vaccine, are unsure if you should have it, have concerns, have a history of problems with vaccines eg needle phobia we request you book a consultation to speak with your GP first before you book your online COVID vaccination clinic appointment.

Proof of eligibility

Patients will need to prove their eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to receive the vaccine in Phase 1b.

You can access the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker at: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility to see if you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine now. The eligibility checker will be updated as required.

Family Doctors Plus is required to confirm that you meet eligibility for the first dose. If you have had your first dose given overseas we require those details.

The table below provides examples of appropriate types of proof per population group:

Healthcare Workers not included in Phase 1a	Proof of occupation (ID card, letter from employer) or Phase 1B Declaration Form
Critical and high risk workers	Proof of occupation (ID card, letter from employer) or Phase 1B Declaration Form
People over 70 years	All standard forms of identification (drivers licence, passport) will be accepted
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over 55 years	Self-identification as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Person (remember to ask the question)
People over 18 years with an underlying medical condition, including disability	Medical records (for example, a clinic record, MyHealth Record, printout of chronic disease plan); a referral from a GP or treating specialist; or a Phase 1B Declaration Form. This is not necessary for patients of Family Doctors Plus as we know your medical history.
Carers and disability workers	Carers documentation or proof of occupation (ID card or letter from employer/centre-based support provider); or a Phase 1B Declaration Form

If you do not have proof of your underlying medical condition, you may complete a Phase 1b declaration form. This form is available from: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/03/covid-19-vaccination-eligibility-declaration-form.pdf

Frequently asked questions

Can I have the COVID vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, eg flu vaccine?

No, the recommendation from ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) is to not have any other vaccines, including the flu vaccine, 14 days on either side of the COVID vaccines.

Can I have the COVID vaccine if I am pregnant, considering pregnancy or breastfeeding?

We request you look at this link from the Department of health:

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-covid-19-vaccination-decision-guide-for-women-who-are-pregnant-breastfeeding-or-planning-pregnancy

What do you need to do on the day of the vaccine?

Please notify us if you are sick with any symptoms (fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea) so we can rebook your appointment.

You will need to bring:

ID-driver’s licence or passport
Current Medicare Card (if you don’t have one, you will need to register with one of the health hubs for your vaccination. General Practices can only provide vaccinations to people with Medicare cards)
Pen
Proof of eligibility (see above)-eg proof of place of employment or medical conditions
Please wear a short sleeve shirt to allow us access to your upper arm for the vaccine
Please follow the signs and register with our receptionist
You will need to be observed for 15 to 30 minutes depending on your medical history. Please allow sufficient time for your appointment
You may need to wear a face mask depending on the risk of COVID in the community at the time

How to access immunisation record or proof of vaccination

You will be able to access proof of vaccination from:

Your Medicare online account through myGov (www.my.gov.au)
Downloading the Medicare mobile app (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/express-plus-medicare-mobile-app)
My health record (provided you have registered)
Phoning the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809.

We request you access your vaccination history by these means rather than calling our receptionists. Please allow 48 hours for your vaccine details to be uploaded.

For more information on the COVID vaccine please go to www.health.gov.au or speak with your doctor.

How much do COVID vaccines cost?

COVID vaccines and the vaccination consultation are free.

Can you go to a GP clinic for a COVID vaccine if you don’t have a valid Medicare card?

While everyone who is living in Australia is funded to receive a vaccine, funding for vaccinations in general practice is limited to those who have a valid Medicare Card. If you are not eligible for Medicare or don’t have a valid Medicare Card, you can receive a vaccine at no cost at Commonwealth funded GP Respiratory Clinics (the list is here https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-phase-1b-commonwealth-gp-led-respiratory-clinics) or at (yet to be established) State funded vaccine clinics.

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