COVID-19 Vaccination
COVID-19 Vaccine Provider
Having a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is one way we can protect our community against coronavirus.
COVID-19 vaccines help to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19, and they are free for everyone in Australia.
Better Health Medical Centre is pleased to advise that we are an approved vaccination provider for COVID-19 vaccines. We are happy to help provide COVID-19 immunisation for our local area and wider community.
Vaccine rollout
COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out to people in phases, with those most at risk receiving their vaccinations first.
To find out if you are eligible to receive the vaccine now, visit https://covid- vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility and complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker.
You can then make a booking to receive your vaccine.
Booking your appointment
COVID-19 vaccinations are voluntary and free.
When it is your turn to get vaccinated, you can call us on 03 58977288 to book your appointments to get your first and second doses of the vaccine.
You can also book online https://www.betterhealthmedicalcentre.com.au/appointments/ or come into the practice.
Make sure you book an appointment for your first and second doses. Please give us a call if you need to confirm what the timing should be between the appointments.
Preparing for your vaccination
Before your vaccination appointment, you should make sure your details are up to date with Medicare.
If you don’t have your account set up, you can:
- enrol in Medicare, if you’re not already enrolled
- set up your Medicare online account if you’re enrolled in Medicare, but don’t have Medicare linked to myGov
- get an Individual Health Identifier (IHI), if you’re not eligible for Medicare
You can also read this patient factsheet developed by the Australian Government Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19- vaccination-preparing-for-covid-19-vaccination
Please do not come to your vaccination appointment:
- if you are feeling unwell with fever, cough, runny nose or other symptoms that could be from COVID-19
- if you are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or have tested positive for COVID-19
- if you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or
- if you are in quarantine
If you have had another vaccine, for example the influenza vaccination, in the 14 days before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Please let us know as we may need to reschedule your appointment.
To keep you and our community safe, before and after vaccination, it is important that you continue to:
- Stay 1.5 metres away from other people and avoid handshakes and contact with people outside your household
- Stay home if you feel unwell and get tested for COVID-19. You must stay at home until your results come
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use hand
- Always cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue and put the tissue in the bin straight
- Download the COVIDSafe app to help health officials let you know if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit health.gov.au
Getting ready for your appointment
Vaccination day resources
- Consent form for COVID-19 vaccination
- Patient resource – Information on COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine
- Patient resource – Preparing for COVID-19 vaccination
- Patient resource – After your COVID-19 (AstraZeneca) vaccination
A 1b declaration form will soon be available on the Department’s website for family and carers to be vaccinated at the same time as the vulnerable patient.
If required by patients, translated versions of these resources are available as well as Easy Read versions.
Post vaccination
After receiving any vaccine, you may experience minor side effects. Most side effects are mild and last no more than a few days.
Common reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations include:
- a sore arm
- headache
- low level fever
- muscle pain
- chills
- tiredness, or
- joint pain
You can use the COVID-19 vaccine side effects symptom checker if you have concerns about any symptoms after your vaccine. The checker is also available through the National Coronavirus Helpline, 1800 020 080, 24 hours a day.
Who to contact
You can ask your doctor for specific advice about side effects. Please call us if you would like to book an appointment.
If you think a COVID-19 vaccine has caused a side effect, you can report it. Reports of suspected side effects help the TGA monitor COVID-19 vaccine safety.
Our practice can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on your behalf, or you can report your side effects yourself. Visit the TGA website to find out how.
Post vaccination resources
The Department of Health has developed resources about what you can expect after your vaccination. You can access these resources here:
- Patient resource – After your COVID-19 (AstraZeneca) vaccination
For more COVID-19 vaccine related resources, visit the Department of Health website.
More information
After your COVID-19 vaccination, it is important that you continue to protect those around you by:
- washing your hands regularly with soap and water
- keeping 1.5m from others
- making sure the COVIDSafe app is active on your
- staying informed about local restriction
