How to get COVID vaccine in Victoria: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, hubs explained
Here’s everything you need to know about getting your COVID-19 jab at one of Victoria’s three vaccine hubs.
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WHO CAN ATTEND A HUB?
People in phases 1a and 1b can get vaccinated.
Phase 1A: quarantine and border workers, frontline health care workers, aged care and disability care staff, and aged care and disability residents.
Phase 1B: household contacts of quarantine and border workers, critical and high risk workers (including emergency services and meat processing), elderly people over 70, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 55, and adults with underlying medical conditions or significant disability.
Adults over 50 will be able to get vaccinated under phase 2a.
WHERE ARE THE HIGH-VOLUME VACCINATION HUBS?
Carlton: Royal Exhibition Building at 9 Nicholson Street.
Melbourne CBD: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) at 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf.
Geelong: Former Ford Factory at 365-455 Melbourne Road, Norlane.
WHAT TIMES ARE THEY OPEN?
Carlton: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm, closed Sundays.
Melbourne: Daily from 8.15am to 4pm.
Geelong: Weekdays from 9am to 4pm.
WHICH VACCINES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED?
High-volume centres deliver the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been recommended for people under the age of 50. If you are under 50 years (in Phase 1a and Phase 1b) you can choose to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
DO I NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
Bookings are advised. To book at a high-volume vaccination centre, call the Victoria coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 (select option 3, option 2, option 2).
IS IT POSSIBLE TO SIMPLY WALK IN?
Yes, walk-ins are allowed at the high-volume vaccination centres, although booking ahead is encouraged. If you walk in, you should be prepared to wait until an immuniser is free to provide you with a vaccine. Walk ins are only accepted 9am to 4pm daily.
HOW MUCH DOES A VACCINE COST?
The vaccines are free. The Australian government is responsible for purchasing the vaccines.
WHY SHOULD I GET VACCINATED?
Getting vaccinated helps protect you from getting sick from COVID-19. The vaccines being used in Australia are effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life from COVID-19.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS EACH VACCINE?
Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine protect you against getting COVID-19.
AstraZeneca:
— With two doses of the vaccine, spaced 12 weeks apart, you are 80 per cent less likely to get sick with COVID-19.
— After the first dose of the vaccine, you are more than 90 per cent less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19.
Pfizer:
— With two doses of the vaccine, spaced by at least 21 days, you are 95 per cent less likely to get sick with COVID-19.
— After the first dose of the vaccine, you are more than 80 per cent less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19.
CAN I GET THE FLU VACCINE AS WELL?
The flu vaccine should not be administered at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine.
It is recommended that you wait at least 14 days after you receive the COVID-19 vaccine to get the flu vaccine. The same applies if you have a flu vaccine first, you should wait at least 14 days before being vaccinated against COVID-19.
SOURCE: coronavirus.vic.gov.au
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