ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINATION

Pakenham Medical Clinic is proud to have been chosen as a COVID-19 vaccination provider – delivering both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines.

  • The COVID-19 vaccination is free.
  • You choose whether to have the vaccination or not.
  • Medical experts have studied COVID-19 vaccines to make sure they are safe.
  • Most side effects are mild and don’t last for long.
  • As with any vaccine or medicine, there may be rare and/or unknown side effects.

Some people may still get COVID-19 after vaccination so you must still follow public health precautions as required in your state or territory to stop the spread of COVID-19 including:

  • keep your distance – stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people
  • washing your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitiser
  • wear a mask, if your state or territory has advised you to do so
  • stay home if you are unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms
  • arrange to get a COVID-19 test (we will continue to provide COVID-19 testing across our clinics).

HOW DO I KNOW IF I CAN GET VACCINATED?

Current Vaccination Eligibility

– People aged 12-15 will be eligible to book for the Pfizer vaccine from September 13.
– People aged 16 to 59 are currently eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine – or they can still choose the AstraZeneca vaccine.
– People aged 60 and over will continue to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is recommended for their age group.

To check if you are eligible, please use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker below or follow our COVID-19 vaccine booking link (through our online booking system).

Anyone over the age of 60 who meets certain adverse immunisation reaction criteria as outlined by VicSIS (https://mvec.mcri.edu.au/references/the-vicsis-victorian-specialist-immunisation-services-network/) may be eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. A detailed referral needs to be made to VicSIS by your general practitioner before immunisation and this may encounter delays. If you have VicSIS approval please call the clinic on (03) 5941 6455 to book.

As a condition of our status as a vaccination provider, we may only administer Pfizer to those that fulfill the Governments eligibility criteria at the current time. If you do not fulfil the eligibility criteria (and don’t have prior VicSIS approval) we will have to refer you to the state run vaccination hubs.

Please note: The COVID-19 Vaccines National Rollout Strategy guided by the Australian Government details the phases in which vaccines will be available. Please note, there are no set start and end dates for each phase.  Each of the phases is designed to be ongoing and in some instances overlapping, based on vaccine approvals and supplies.

ONLINE BOOKINGS

BOOKING YOUR VACCINATION

DOSE

Each individual will require two doses, between three and twelve weeks apart, depending on which vaccine they receive. It is now recommended that the second doses for both AstraZeneca & Pfizer are given six weeks after the first dose.

HOW TO BOOK

AstraZeneca vaccination clinics are running on most weekday mornings. To book for AstraZeneca please call the clinic on (03) 5941 6455 or book online.

Pfizer vaccination clinics are running on Saturdays from 9:30am-4:30pm. Pfizer bookings can ONLY be made ONLINE, through our online booking system via the link above.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REGISTRATION AND CONSENT FORM

All patients receiving their first dose of either vaccine (or patients receiving their second dose who did not have the first dose completed by us) will be required to fill out a mandatory consent form. These forms will be sent to you via email and/or SMS to complete online before your appointment. You can also download the form below, complete and bring on the day. Alternatively, forms will also be available for you to complete when you check-in for your vaccine appointment.

DOWNLOAD CONSENT FORM

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PFIZER VACCINE APPOINTMENT

Step 1: Preparation

Please arrive on time for your appointment and wait at the designated entrance where our friendly receptionists will be able to check you in.

What you need to bring to your Pfizer vaccination appointment:

  • Medicare card, if you have one.
  • Employee ID, if you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine due to your occupation.
  • Information about any relevant medical conditions and medications i.e. allergies, bleeding disorders, immunocompromised etc.*
  • Information about any previous COVID-19 vaccine received (vaccine brand and date).
  • Information about any reactions you have had to any vaccine in the past.
  • A face mask
  • Your completed consent form if you have chosen to print out and complete at home.

* Not required for existing patients of Pakenham Medical Clinic.

Please DO NOT attend your vaccination appointment if you;

  • are unwell with fever, cough, runny nose or other symptoms that could be from COVID-19
  • are awaiting COVID-19 test results
  • have tested positive with COVID-19 and you are in isolation
  • are in quarantine
  • are a close contact of someone with COVID-19

If you fall into any of the above categories, please call us to reschedule

Step 2: Patient Screening

Once you have been called into your appointment by a doctor or immunisation provider you will be able to discuss any questions you have about COVID-19 vaccination.

Tell your immunisation provider if you have any medical conditions or if you are taking any medications. Especially make sure to tell them if you:

  • Have had anaphylaxis (a type of severe allergic reaction) to any substance, or if you have an adrenaline autoinjector (e.g. EpiPen).
  • Have had a reaction to any vaccine in the past.
  • Have a bleeding disorder or are receiving anticoagulant therapy (a blood thinner).
  • Are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
  • Are immunocompromised (i.e. have a weakened immune system or take immune suppressing medication).
  • Have received another COVID-19 vaccine (and which brand).
  • Have received any vaccine in the last 7 days.

If you have had another vaccine in the 7 days before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, tell your immunisation provider. Your immunisation provider may ask you to reschedule your appointment.

Step 3: Vaccination Dose Given & Follow Up Information Provided

You will received the vaccine as an injection, most commonly into your upper arm. You will then receive details of any potential side effects and what to do if these occur.

Step 4: Vaccination Recorded

Your vaccination will be recorded in The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) by your vaccination provider, as required by Australian law. You can view your vaccination record online through your:

Step 5: Post Vaccination Monitoring & Finish

You will then be taken to a separate waiting area where you must remain for observation for at least 15 minutes after vaccination.  Depending on your medical history, you may be asked to wait in the clinic for 30 minutes.

After you have completed the necessary waiting period you will be asked to check-out at reception so that we can ensure you are safe to leave and have waited the necessary time. Reception will also confirm your consent to bulk bill Medicare for the cost of the vaccine delivery.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR ASTRAZENECA APPOINTMENT

Step 1: Preparation

Please arrive on time for your appointment and call the clinic on (03) 5941 6455 to notify us of your arrival. Depending on waiting room availability you will be directed to our front entrance where a receptionist will take your temperature, check your details, provide a consent form if necessary and direct you into our seperate COVID-19 vaccine clinic waiting area.

What you need to bring to your AstraZeneca vaccination appointment:

  • Medicare card, if you have one.
  • Information about any relevant medical conditions and medications i.e. allergies, bleeding disorders, immunocompromised etc.*
  • Information about any previous COVID-19 vaccine received (vaccine brand and date).
  • Information about any reactions you have had to any vaccine in the past.
  • A face mask
  • Your completed consent form if you have chosen to print out and complete at home.

* Not required for existing patients of Pakenham Medical Clinic.

Step 2: Patient Screening

Once you have been called into your appointment by a doctor or immunisation provider you will be able to discuss any questions you have about COVID-19 vaccination.

Tell your immunisation provider if you have any medical conditions or if you are taking any medications. Especially make sure to tell them if you:

  • Have had anaphylaxis (a type of severe allergic reaction) to any substance, or if you have an adrenaline autoinjector (e.g. EpiPen).
  • Have had a reaction to any vaccine in the past.
  • Have a bleeding disorder or are receiving anticoagulant therapy (a blood thinner).
  • Are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
  • Are immunocompromised (i.e. have a weakened immune system or take immune suppressing medication).
  • Have received another COVID-19 vaccine (and which brand).
  • Have received any vaccine in the last 7 days.

If you have had another vaccine in the 7 days before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, tell your immunisation provider. Your immunisation provider may ask you to reschedule your appointment.

Step 3: Vaccination Dose Given & Follow Up Information Provided

You will received the vaccine as an injection, most commonly into your upper arm. You will then receive details of any potential side effects and what to do if these occur.

Step 4: Vaccination Recorded

Your vaccination will be recorded in The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) by your vaccination provider, as required by Australian law. You can view your vaccination record online through your:

Step 5: Post Vaccination Monitoring & Finish

You will then be taken to a separate waiting area where you must remain for observation for at least 15 minutes after vaccination.  Depending on your medical history, you may be asked to wait in the clinic for 30 minutes.

After you have completed the necessary waiting period you will be asked to check-out at reception so that we can ensure you are safe to leave and have waited the necessary time. Reception will also confirm your consent to bulk bill Medicare for the cost of the vaccine delivery and ensure your second dose appointment is booked in.

AFTER YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION

After you have received your COVID-19 vaccination you will receive a link via sms from AusVaxSafety over the next few days asking you to complete a survey regarding any side effects you have experienced. The surveys are conducted at Day 3, Day 8 and Day 42 post immunisation. Completing these surveys is an important way of contributing to the national COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance that AusVaxSafety is conducting. More information regarding this will be provided at your immunisation appointment.

SIDE EFFECTS

As with any vaccine, you may have some side effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Common side effects include:

  • pain or swelling at the injection site
  • tiredness
  • headache
  • muscle pain
  • chills
  • fever
  • joint pain.

Less common side effects include:

  • redness at the injection site
  • nausea
  • enlarged lymph nodes
  • feeling unwell
  • pain in limb
  • insomnia
  • itching at the injection site.

These side effects are usually mild and usually go away within one or two days. If you experience pain at the injection site or fever, headaches or body aches after vaccination, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen. These help reduce the above symptoms (you do not need to take paracetamol or ibuprofen before vaccination). If there is swelling at the injection site, you can use a cold compress.

Rare side effects that have been reported after are:

  • Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
  • Temporary one-sided facial drooping (also called Bell’s palsy).
  • You should seek medical attention after vaccination if:
  • You think you are having an allergic reaction. Call 000 if you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, a fast heartbeat or collapsing.
  • You are worried about a potential side effect or have new or unexpected symptoms.
  • You have an expected side effect of the vaccine which has not gone away after a few days.
  • For symptoms which are not urgent, you can see your regular healthcare provider (usually your GP).

COVID-19 post-vaccination concerns.

If you have concerns about any symptoms after your vaccine, please call us and we will book an appointment with your doctor. Alternatively, you can use the COVID-19 Vaccine Symptom Checker to see if you need to seek medical help. The checker is also available through the National Coronavirus Helpline, 1800 020 080 , 24 hours a day.

Vaccine safety monitoring and reporting side effects

Suspected side effects can be reported by visiting the reporting suspected side effects associated with a COVID-19 vaccine webpage on the TGA website and follow the directions on the page.

COVID-19 testing after vaccination

Some side effects from COVID-19 vaccination might be similar to symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever), though the vaccine does not contain any live virus and cannot cause COVID-19. You may not need to get a COVID-19 test or isolate if you develop general symptoms like fever, headache or tiredness in the first two days after vaccination and if you are sure that you don’t have any respiratory symptoms (e.g. runny nose, cough, sore throat, loss of smell or loss of taste). However, you should check the current guidelines in your state/territory for the most up-to-date information. This advice may change in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in your local area. You may still need to get a COVID-19 test if you meet other criteria, e.g. you are a close contact of a known COVID-19 case. If in doubt, seek medical assessment.