With the Australian Government recently announcing the expansion of priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination, you may have questions about which vaccine you can receive when you’re eligible. We’ve provided information current as at 24 August 2021 below, but you can stay up to date here.Â
Which vaccine will I receive?
Vaccines are administered following the advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI):
- The    is offered to people aged under 60 years, and anyone eligible for a reserved Pfizer appointment regardless of their age.
- The   is offered to people aged 60 years and over, and people aged 18 to 59 years old if they provide informed consent on the risks, including thrombosis thrombocytopenia (TTS).
For information on how to book an appointment, visit book your vaccine appointment.
Information for people with a history of blood clots
If you have questions about a pre-existing medical condition and getting a COVID-19 vaccine you should speak to your doctor or regular health professional.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society of Australian and New Zealand (THANZ) have released a joint  on the AstraZeneca vaccine.
People with the following conditions can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine:
- History of blood clots in typical sites
- Increased clotting tendency that is not immune-mediated
- Family history of blood clots
- History of ischaemic heart disease or stroke
- Current or past thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
- Those receiving anticoagulation therapy
Anyone who has already had their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine without any serious side effects can receive their second dose of AstraZeneca. It is safe and recommended by ATAGI.
Information for people with a history of cardiac conditions
Most people with pre-existing cardiac conditions can receive COVID-19 vaccines. This includes:
- coronary artery disease
- myocardial infarction
- stable heart failure
- arrhythmias
- rheumatic fever
- rheumatic heart disease (RHD)
- Kawasaki Disease
- most congenital heart disease
- people with implantable cardiac devices.
Speak to your doctor or regular health professional. if you have any questions about pre-existing conditions and vaccination.
People who should seek medical advice before their vaccine
If you are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and you have one of the following medical conditions you should speak to your doctor or regular health professional before you get your COVID-19 vaccine:
- A history of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), idiopathic splanchnic (mesenteric, portal, splenic) vein thrombosis or antiphospholipid syndrome with thrombosis
- a history of capillary leak syndrome
- Had immediate (within four hours) and generalised symptoms of a possible allergic reaction (for example, hives) to a previous dose of AstraZeneca vaccine
- Those who have anaphylaxis after a previous dose of AstraZeneca vaccine
- Those who have anaphylaxis to polysorbate 80 (a component of AstraZeneca vaccine).
- Those who have had any other serious adverse events attributed to the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
People who have a history of the following conditions can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. They should consult with a cardiologist before getting their COVID-19 vaccine if they are eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine:
- Inflammatory cardiac illness e.g., myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis
- Current acute rheumatic fever
- People aged 12-29 years with dilated cardiomyopathy
- Complex or severe congenital heart disease including single ventricle (Fontan) circulation
- Acute decompensated heart failure
- Cardiac transplant recipients
How to book
We encourage anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
You can book via the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 or book online at the Victorian Government online portal.
Check your eligibility
Unsure of your eligibility? You can check your eligibility against the national rollout plan and book an appointment by using the eligibility checker.