COVID vaccine rollout

Family Doctors Plus is participating in the COVID vaccine rollout. We currently offer both Astra Zeneca and Pfizer COVID vaccines. We request your patience as we are only receiving a limited amount of vaccine stock every week. 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 do not want our phone lines to crash like has happened in other clinics. We open online bookings for the COVID Pfizer vaccine when the vaccines arrive at our clinic every 1-2 weeks. Please note we do not have a wait list. 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 have the option of going on the expression of interest list when booking online. We request you be patient and continue checking the link as more appointments will be opened as stock arrives every week. 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. Currently only people who are eligible for phase 1a, phase 1b, adults 40 years and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 years and over are eligible for a COVID vaccine. Please note, we cannot vaccinate people who are not yet eligible for the vaccines as per Department of Health Guidelines. Please stay up to date with information from your local Department of Health. National Cabinet has agreed that, in line with the advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) the Pfizer vaccine will be prioritised for people under 60 years of age across all phases. The Astra Zeneca vaccine will be prioritised for people aged 60 years and over. This will apply to all eligibility phases. ATAGI recommends you have a second dose of the same vaccine as the first dose unless it is contraindicated. They have not approved mixing vaccine types.

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

People aged 60 and over can book a COVID vaccine through Family Doctors Plus or other participating GP clinics, Respiratory Clinics or Qld Health Hubs.

People under 60 years of age can also register online to receive a Pfizer COVID vaccine through a Qld Health Hub and some Respiratory Clinics via the link: https://www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au/registerforvaccination/

Newly eligible population groups include:

All adults aged 40 to 49
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 to 49
NDIS participants aged 16 years and over, and carers of NDIS participants of any age
Temporary visa holders aged under 50 who are currently in Australia and have been approved for return travel to Australia through the travel exemption process.
Pregnant women over the age of 16 (Pfizer)

Already eligible population groups include:

Health care workers
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults 50 years and over
Quarantine and border workers, household contacts of quarantine and border workers
Aged care and Disability care residents and staff
Younger people with a specified underlying medical condition, or people with a significant disability; and
Critical and high risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing workers.

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?

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 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 Astra Zeneca vaccine we request you make an appointment with your doctor to discuss. 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:

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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