COVID vaccine rollout

Family Doctors Plus is participating in the COVID vaccine rollout. Everyone over the age of 12 years is now eligible for a COVID vaccine. We currently offer both COVID-19 Astra Zeneca and Pfizer Comirnaty COVID vaccines. Please don’t call us for a booking, instead please book online through: https://www.familydoctorsplus.com.au/appointments/

We need to keep the phone lines open for people who have medical issues and request you book your vaccine appointment online. People who ring requesting to be placed on a wait list will be asked to book online. If there are no appointments available online it is because we have run out of stock. You will be given the option of going on the online expression of interest list. We do not have phone waiting lists. We request you only phone if you don’t have internet access. We appreciate your patience as we try to accommodate everyone.

The Australian Government has prioritised people in higher risk groups. Everyone aged 12 years and older is now eligible for a COVID vaccine. The Pfizer COVID vaccine is now available for everyone aged 12 years and older.

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

You need 2 doses of COVID vaccines for maximum protection. The Department of health and ATAGI now advise a 3rd dose for individuals aged 12 years and older with certain conditions or on therapies leading to severe immunocompromise. The recommended interval for the 3rd dose is 2 to 6 months after the 2nd dose of vaccine. Please go to this link for further information and for a list of specified conditions and therapies eligible (here). ATAGI is yet to announce the timing of a booster dose for other individuals who have had 2 doses.

You can find other COVID vaccine clinics online through the eligibility checker on health.gov.au, or through the Qld Health Website (Qld Health Vaccination Hubs). You need to go to the link below to make an appointment. If you don’t have a valid Medicare Card we request you book through Qld Health or a GP respiratory clinic.

https://www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au/registerforvaccination/

Eligible population groups include:

Everyone over the age of 12 years.

Eligible population groups include:

Everyone over the age of 12 years.

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.

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 weighing up the potential benefit vs risk of harm from COVID 19 vaccine Astra Zeneca from the Dept of Health click here

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

If you are eligible for a COVID vaccine and hold a valid Medicare card you are able to book a COVID vaccine appointment through our appointment link above.

If you have queries about the vaccine, are unsure if you should have it, have concerns or have a history of problems with vaccines we request you book a consultation to speak with your GP first before you book your online COVID vaccination clinic appointment. If you are under the age of 60 and would like to discuss having a COVID-19 Astra Zeneca vaccine we request you make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your risk vs benefit. You can book a standard appointment with your doctor online.

Proof of eligibility

Patients will need to prove their eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to receive the vaccine.

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 (currently all that is required is proof of age eg. 12 years and above and a valid Medicare card):

Healthcare Workers	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 aged 40 and over	All standard forms of identification (drivers licence, passport) will be accepted
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 16 and over	Self-identification as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Person
People over 16 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, 7 days on either side of the COVID vaccines. This may vary in the case of an outbreak.

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. We cannot proceed with the vaccine if you are unable to be observed for up to 30min afterwards.
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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