COVID vaccine rollout
Family Doctors Plus is participating in the COVID vaccine rollout. Everyone over the age of 5 years is now eligible for a COVID vaccine. We currently offer the Pfizer Comirnaty COVID vaccine for ages 5 and above. Please don’t call us for a booking, instead please book online through: https://www.familydoctorsplus.com.au/appointments/
Children 5-11 years of age are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine and receive 2 doses 8 weeks apart. The second dose can be provided sooner (from 3 weeks) in special circumstances for high risk groups. If you want to discuss the vaccines or have any concerns we request you make an appointment with your GP prior to the vaccine clinic. More information on COVID vaccines in children can be found here.
We need to keep the phone lines open for people who have medical issues and request you book your vaccine appointment online. We request you only phone if you don’t have internet access or having issues making an online booking. Please note you can have a COVID vaccine at the same time as an Influenza vaccine. You can book for both vaccines online through the link above.
For more information on COVID vaccines please visit health.gov.au
As per ATAGI statement (ATAGI clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers, 27/4/2022): COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people aged 5 years or older to protect against COVID-19. For most people, a primary vaccination course consists of 2 doses.
A third primary dose is recommended for people aged 5 years or older with severe immunocompromise. See considerations for special populations: people who are immunocompromised.
A single booster dose is recommended for people aged 16 years or older, 3 months after the primary course.
On 25 March 2022, ATAGI recommended an additional winter booster dose (4th dose for most people) for the highest risk groups: people aged 65 years and above, residents of aged care or disability care facilities, people with severe immunocompromise and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or above.
ATAGI has reviewed this and now recommends that additional population groups should receive a winter booster dose, 4 months after their first booster dose:
• People aged 16-64 years who have complex, chronic or severe conditions that are considered to increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (please click here for more information or speak with your doctor to see if this applies to you).
ATAGI recommended this change to ensure those who are at greater risk of developing severe disease receive the best possible protection. The following groups are currently not recommended to receive an additional winter booster dose:
• healthy people aged 16 to 64 years of age who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19
• women who are pregnant without any other comorbidity that increases their risk of severe COVID-19
• people from occupational groups, such as healthcare workers, who do not have any other comorbidity that increases their risk of severe COVID-19.
See booster dose recommendations. The evidence underpinning booster dose recommendations will continue to be reviewed by ATAGI and this clinical guidance may be refined.
In Australia, vaccination is strongly recommended for the following groups:
- people with occupational risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, such as frontline healthcare workers, quarantine and border workers, aged care and disability care staff, and critical and high-risk workers
- residents of aged care and disability care facilities
- older adults
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- people with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19
- pregnant women
For more information click here.
People with a past SARS-CoV-2/COVID infection
All people are recommended to defer COVID-19 vaccination for 3 months after a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, to optimise protection for that person. The next scheduled dose should then be given as soon as possible. All recommended doses should still be received, and no doses should be omitted from the schedule.
The risk of reinfection with the Omicron variant is very low within the first 3 months following a confirmed infection. The Delta variant is no longer circulating in Australia. This advice may change if future variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge.
Vaccination is likely to enhance the protection induced by infection. The interval between infection and vaccination enhances the protection from vaccination by further boosting the immune response, including immune memory response, generated following infection11.
An individual may be vaccinated earlier than the recommended 3-month interval in exceptional circumstances, such as prior to starting an immunosuppressant, prior to overseas travel or if someone cannot reschedule vaccination easily (e.g. outreach vaccination program).
People treated with an anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies can be used for treatment in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or as pre or post -exposure prophylaxis. When given following infection, ATAGI does not recommend a specific minimum time to defer vaccination due to monoclonal antibody therapy. However, people are still recommended to follow guidance to defer vaccination for 3 months following infection (see People with a past SARS-CoV-2 infection).
As with all vaccines, COVID-19 vaccination should be deferred in people who are acutely unwell.
Timing of administration of other vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered (that is, given on the same day) with an influenza vaccine. Studies demonstrate the safety and immunogenicity of co-administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
You can find other COVID vaccine clinics online through the eligibility checker on health.gov.au, or through the Qld Health Website. If you don’t have a valid Medicare Card we request you book through Qld Health or a GP respiratory clinic. You can find these via:
https://www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au/registerforvaccination/
Source: ATAGI statement 27/4/22: Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines
