Information for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines and testing

Find information about COVID-19 vaccination and testing for people with disability.

COVID-19 vaccinations

COVID-19 Safer and Stronger: Disability Vaccine Champions

Hear from three of Victoria’s disability sector vaccine champions on why they believe it’s important to have a COVID-19 vaccination.

Who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone aged 5 years and over in Australia.

The type of vaccine you can have depends on your age and, in some cases, whether you have certain medical conditions.

If you are aged 12 and over, you can have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

If you are aged 18 and over, you can also get the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Children aged 5 to 11 will receive a smaller dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine has been created specifically for young children.

Carers and volunteers can help protect themselves, people they care for, and their families by getting vaccinated.

More information about the COVID-19 vaccines can be found here.

How do I book a COVID-19 vaccination?

There are a number of vaccination booking options available for you:

Pop-up clinics for people who require additional support including people living with disability, their carers, and people who may have anxiety about medical procedures. More information is available on the Victorian Government’s Coronavirus webpage.
GP Clinic and Pharmacies: To find your nearest GP or pharmacy administering COVID-19 vaccinations, please visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.

If none of the above options are suitable, or you require additional support (such as home vaccination coordination or sedation support), we recommend contacting your local Disability Liaison Officer. Please see below contact details:

City of Monash

Email: disabilityofficer@easternhealth.org.au

Phone number: 0435 649 985

City of Glen Eira, City of Port Phillip, or City of Stonnington

Email: disabilityteam@alfred.org.au

Phone number: 0428 950 038

Bayside City Council, City of Kingston, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey, or Shire of Cardinia

Email: disability_liaison@monashhealth.org

Phone number: (03) 9792 7984

City of Frankston or Shire of Mornington

Email: DisabilityLiaison@phcn.vic.gov.au

Phone number: 0434 819 268

For more information, please visit the Australian Government Department of Health’s website.

Testing for COVID-19

Who should get tested for COVID-19?

As of 7 January 2022, everyone’s first COVID-19 testing option should be to use a rapid antigen test.

They are quick and highly accurate, particularly if you have symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.

If you have symptoms or you are a contact, and you can’t access a rapid antigen test, you should get a PCR test.
If you can’t access either test at the moment, isolate at home until you can.

For more information, please visit our COVID-19 testing page.

What are the symptoms for COVID-19?

Fever
Chills or sweats
Cough
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
Runny nose
Loss or change in sense of smell or taste.

In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also be considered.

To get further advice, call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398, your local doctor.

Where can I get tested for COVID-19?

For more information on where to get tested for COVID-19 and current wait times, please visit: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19

Additional Support

If you require additional support to get a COVID-19 test, we recommend contacting your local Disability Liaison Officer.

For enquiries relating to disability support at Monash Health clinics, please email disability_liaison@monashhealth.org or call (03) 9792 7984 before receiving a COVID-19 test. The Monash Health Disability Liaison can be contacted Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm.

You may also be eligible for the Call-to-Test option, a service which tests those eligible at home. To find out more, please visit: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/call-to-test-covid-19