The Check Up

The Check Up COVID-19 Vaccination — Common Questions

By Dr Stuart Jones, Anglesea Medical

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved two vaccines; commonly known as the Pfizer and the AstraZeneca COVID vaccines.

The Pfizer vaccine is already being administered to quarantine/border workers, frontline healthcare workers, and residential aged care and disability care staff and residents.

The AstraZeneca vaccine will be administered to the rest of the population in a series of phases beginning in mid to late March. We have put together this guide to help answer some questions you may have about the COVID-19 vaccines:

When will I get my vaccine?

Please see the table available online at The Conversation https:// theconversation.com/5-things-you-need -to-know-about-the-astrazenecavaccine-now-the-tga-has-approved-itfor-use-in-australia-155139 to see where you will fit into the vaccine roll out program. Phase 1B is set to begin in mid to late March 2021.

Where can I get my vaccine?

This next phase of immunisation (1B) will be with the AstraZeneca vaccine which will be available at GP respiratory clinics, General Practices that meet specific requirements, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, and state-run vaccination clinics. This phase is due to commence in mid-March. As the vaccination program continues, more locations will be added. When vaccines become more widely available, some workplace vaccination sites and community pharmacies that meet specific requirements are planned to be added.

Can I choose which vaccine I get?

No. The vast majority of the population are set to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. Other vaccines may be added at a later date, but currently there are no active plans for distribution of any other vaccines. We do not recommend waiting for other vaccines to come out at a later date. This may increase the risk of an outbreak, community transmission and another lock down.

Can you tell me more about the AstraZeneca Vaccine?

Yes. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or AZD1222) is a viral vector vaccine that has been approved for people over 18 years old. It requires two doses that are recommended to be given 12 weeks apart, but can be administered a minimum of four weeks apart. One of the main benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine is that it can be stored at 2-8℃ which allows for much easier distribution across the country. It is also the only vaccine that will be locally available and manufactured in Australia.

How do I get my name on the list?

Don’t worry. We will strive to inform all of our patients and the local community of when they are eligible and how they can be vaccinated. We want, and will support, everyone to be vaccinated. You do not need to call the clinic to find out when the vaccines are available. We will regularly be providing updates about the vaccines. For local updates and the availability of vaccines at our clinic, please monitor our website angleseamedical.com.au or our Facebook page. Other great resources for vaccine information include:

health.gov.au/covid19-vaccines Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre. https://mvec.mcri.edu.au/covid-19/

Interesting facts

Over 410 million COVID vaccine doses have already been administered globally as of 18 March 2021. Over 115 million doses of COVID vaccines have been administered in the USA as of 18 March 2021.