Vax facts COVID 19 vaccination facts

Vax facts

The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve quickly—with chatter about vaccinations, it is important to lay the foundations on what it all means for Queensland ATISCCHOs.

What we know

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), have provisionally approved the Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for use in Australia. In March 2021, This means that the vaccines can be legally supplied, and safety and efficacy data will be collected during the next two years. Australia was set to receive ten million doses of the Pfizer vaccination and 3.6 million doses of AstraZeneca; most Australians are expected to receive the AstraZeneca doses, with onshore manufacturing of a further 50 million doses expected to commence sometime in the middle of 2021. In April 2021, TGA recommendations changed, requiring adults under the age of 50 years to receive the Pfizer vaccine and not the AstraZeneca vaccine. In addition to these two vaccines, a handful of others will also pass through the TGA for review and possible approval; further assisting the efforts to vaccinate Australia’s population.

Are the vaccines safe?

In Australia, the TGA assesses the safety, quality and effectiveness of all vaccines, medicines and more prior to use—it is one of the most thorough in the world. All vaccines continue to be monitored for safety after they are registered for use in Australia so the TGA can detect and respond to any safety concerns if they arise. The TGA publish a weekly safety report specifically for COVID-19 vaccinations which includes information about reported side effects, as well as other safety alerts as required. When can I get the vaccine?

Roll out for the vaccination commenced in late February 2021, starting with priority groups and will take approximately six to twelve months. The majority of ATSICCHOs commenced AstraZeneca vaccination clinics in March 2021. The Commonwealth Government have identified priority groups for vaccine rollout in three phases:

Phase 1a – quarantine/border workers – frontline health care worker sub-groups for prioritisation – aged care and disability staff – aged care and disability residents

Phase 1b – elderly adults aged 70 years and over – other health care workers – Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people over 55 years – younger adults with an underlying medical condition, including those with a disability – critical and high-risk workers including defence, police, fire emergency services and meat processing Phase 2a – adults aged 50–69 years – Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people aged 18–54 years – other critical and high-risk workers Phase 2b – balance of adult population – catch up unvaccinated people from previous phases

Phase 3 – under 16s if recommended. From May 2021, in response to the TGA Guideline changes, anyone over the age of 50 can approach their provider to be vaccinated.

Roll-out logistics

QAIHC and the Sector are actively involved in several Working Groups that have been established to inform the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. QAIHC continue to advocate for ATSICCHOs to have access to appropriate vaccines for respective age groups and for suitable public communication materials. QAIHC will continue to inform Members through ongoing communications. Please email communications@qaihc.com. au to be included in these comminications. For vaccine related questions, please email QAIHC’s Immunisation Coordinator, Azalia.martell@qaihc.com.au. There are several resources available online by Queensland Health and the Commonwealth Department of Health: qld.gov.au/health/conditions/ health-alerts/coronaviruscovid-19/protect-yourselfothers/covid-19-vaccine health.gov.au/initiatives-andprograms/covid-19-vaccines