Latest Updates on Coronavirus Covid-19 Vaccination

There are currently numerous COVID-19 vaccines already in use across the globe and others have been granted emergency use authorisation through the WHO for more widespread distribution. More vaccine candidates are in development or undergoing trials. More information from GAVI.

Vaccine Updates

Vaccine Development

COVID-19 Vaccinations

Vaccine Types

FAQs

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COVID-19 Vaccine Updates in Australia

The Australian Government entered various agreements for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines, conditional on evaluations undertaken into their safety, quality and efficacy - CSL announced the closure of trials into the University of Queensland vaccine in early December due to vaccine interference in HIV diagnostic tests. So two vaccines are currently in use - Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty and COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca, however as other vaccines are deployed, we will add a summary of the information to this page.

Do we have a COVID-19 vaccine in Australia?

ON Jan 25, 2021 the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval for the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, Comirnaty, for use in individuals 18 years of age and older (Read more) and in mid-February it gave provisional approval for the use of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) in people aged 18 years and above (Read more) - since changed to over 60 years of age. Later, in July 2021 the 12 to 17 years age group was added to the recommended age group for Comirnaty. In August the Moderna mRNA vaccine, Spikevax, was approved for adults over 18 years of age and that was extended to the 12-17 years cohort in early September 2021. It remains important to maintain the recommended precautions needed to prevent spread of the coronavirus: hand washing/ hand sanitiser, physical distancing and the wearing of masks if this is difficult to achieve, cough etiquette and prompt testing of respiratory symptoms.

When were the first vaccinations administered?

It was always going to be subject to supply, but the federal government rolled out vaccinations of the Comirnaty in late February, starting with phase 1a, as outlined in the national strategy announced on Jan 7, 2021.

For a map showing the progress of the vaccine roll-out and vaccination rates by Australian States/ Territories, regions, plus five of the major cities compiled using data from the Australian Immunisation Register - see here.

List of COVID-19 Vaccine Companies, trials and updates

Biocelect/Novavax vaccine – Mar 11, 2021; Phase 2b trial in South Africa/Phase 3 in UK update, plus efficacy against B.1.351 variant in May 5, 2021 press release
University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca – Nov 23 update on vaccine trial results
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty – Nov 18 trial results
University of Queensland/CSL – Dec 11 CSL announces trial abandoned
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine - SPIKEVAX (elasomeran) receives WHO validation for emergency use on April 30, 2021.

LATEST UPDATES –

November 10, 2021: TGA - Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine (SPIKEVAX) - provisional determination granted for proposed use in children and booster shot for adults under evaluation

November 1, 2021: The TGA has recognised, for the purpose of establishing a traveller's vaccination status, two more vaccines in use overseas: Covaxin (Bharat Biotech, India) and BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm, China).

October 29, 2021: Novavax Files for Provisional Approval of its COVID-19 Vaccine in Australia Read more

October 27, 2021: Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine Read more

October 27, 2021: Novavax Files for Authorization of its COVID-19 Vaccine in the United Kingdom. This is the fourth COVID-19 vaccine planned for use in Australia. The company has not as yet made a submission for regulatory review in Australia. Read more

October 27, 2021: TGA approves booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, COMIRNATY Read more

From October 19, 2021, Australians have been able to access their International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates (ICVC) through the MyGov website. These certificates, which have QR codes that can be scanned by foreign border authorities and are linked to your passport, provide proof that the holder has been vaccinated against COVID-19. They are also compatible with IATA's Travel Pass, used by more than 200 airlines around the world. Not all countries will require this proof, so it is strongly advised to check the smartraveller website for more information on the destination. Read more. Smartraveller also has information for those people who received their COVID-19 vaccines overseas. Vaccination certificates obtained from other jurisdictions will need to fulfil certain criteria. Read more

October 8, 2021: The Federal Minister for Health has announced that additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be made available immunocompromised people from Monday, Oct 11. This will apply to approximately 500,000 people. Read more

October 1, 2021: All approved vaccines now available to everyone 18 years and over - Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca are now available to everyone aged 18 years and over Read more

October 1, 2021: TGA advice on the recognition of some COVID-19 vaccines not registered in Australia but used internationally. The Sinovac and Covishield vaccines will be recognised here as acceptable for "incoming international travellers to be regarded as appropriately vaccinated", however the vaccines themselves will not be administered as part of Australia's vaccine roll-out.

September 4, 2021: The TGA has given provisional approval for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine—SPIKEVAX (elasomeran)—in individuals aged 12 years and older. Read more

August 27, 2021: ATAGI has announced its determination that vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for all individuals from 12 years of age, extending the current recommendation for those aged 16 years and older. Further, a two-dose schedule using Comirnaty (Pfizer), the only vaccine currently registered for use in Australia in this age group, is recommended.

August 17, 2021: What is Spikevax (Moderna vaccine) and how does it work? Frequently asked questions published by the NCIRS.

August 8, 2021: ABC article published on Aug 8 - Australia is about to approve the Moderna vaccine. What is it, who can get it, and when and where will it be available?

August 2, 2021: The TGA has approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty, in children who are immuno-compromised, who have an underlying medical conditions, or are Indigenous or live in remote communities from Aug 9. Read more

July 23, 2021: TGA Provisional Approval of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include 12-15 years age group

June 25, 2021: TGA grants third provisional approval to COVID-19 vaccine: Janssen

June 24, 2021: TGA grants provisional determination for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Elasomeran

June 9, 2021 - Joint statement between RANZCOG and ATAGI about COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women: Read more

June 9, 2021 - Updated ATAGI advice on administering seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021: Read more

May 27, 2021 - Doctors have learnt a lot about how to treat rare blood clots induced by the AstraZeneca vaccine: ABC News

May 21, 2021 - Complete Trial Results Manuscript of Novavax COVID-19 Investigational Vaccine Posted to Preprint Server medRxiv: Novavax press release and related Science article of June 14, 2021.

May 13, 2021 - Australia will purchase a second mRNA vaccine, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA 1273) - 10 million doses in 2021 and 15 million in 2022. Read more from the SMH and the WHO Interim recommendations for use of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against COVID-19 which were issued on Jan 25, 2021.

May 11, 2021 - Novavax chief ‘not able to predict’ Australian approval date for vaccine. Read more from the SMH.

April 27, 2021: The most promising coronavirus vaccine you’ve never heard of. Read more about Novavax

April 22, 2021 - The National Cabinet met today and agreed that access to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for phase 2a eligible people aged 50–69 years would commence on 3 May, starting with General Practice Respiratory Clinics (GPRCs) and state and territory COVID-19 vaccination sites, to be followed by and General Practice (GP) clinics from 17 May 2021. Read more

Apr 19, 2021: 10 next-gen Covid-19 vaccines in the race for approval. Read more in Clinical Trials Arena

Apr 13, 2021 - The TGA has issued a statement after a likely second case of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. Common side effects which last for 1-2 days include fever, sore muscles, tiredness and headache, however the agency advised –‘Consumers should seek immediate medical attention if, a few days after vaccination, they develop symptoms such:

as a severe or persistent headache or blurred vision
shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal pain
unusual skin bruising and/or pinpoint round spots beyond the site of injection.’

Apr 9, 2021 - Updated safety advisory – rare and unusual blood clotting syndrome (thrombosis with thrombocytopaenia) - TGA

Feb 16, 2021 - TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine (TGA)

Feb 16, 2021 - The WHO has listed two versions of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for these vaccines to be rolled out globally through the COVAX facility, which makes vaccines accessible to low- and middle-income countries. (WHO media release)

Feb 15, 2021 - Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses arrive in Australia, first doses due to be rolled out from Feb 22. ABC News

Feb 10, 2021 - The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts convened by the WHO have released their interim findings on the AstraZeneca vaccine, stating it should be deployed widely - given in a 2-dose schedule 8-12 weeks apart for the age groups 18 years and above. The TGA is still to finalise its review of the vaccine. Read more

Feb 4, 2021 - Novavax Announces Start of Rolling Review by Multiple Regulatory Authorities for COVID-19 vaccine
authorisation - the reviews will continue while pivotal Phase 3 trials are completed in the UK and US. (Novavax press release)

Jan 28, 2021 - Novavax says its Covid-19 vaccine is 90% effective, but far less so against one variant: STAT News

Jan 25, 2021 - The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval for the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, COMIRNATY, making it the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia. The approval is for individuals aged 16 years of age and over. (TGA news release)

Jan 19, 2021 - Novavax: 'early data released in December suggests it is likely to offer strong protection against COVID-19' (SMH)

Jan 7, 2021 - Australian COVID-19 vaccine rollout to be brought forward to mid-to-late-February but it's hinged on several important factors, including final TGA approval and the delivery of the vaccines from the suppliers. (ABC News)

Jan 4, 2021 - Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia) still waiting for 'further data' on AstraZeneca vaccine (SMH)

Jan 2, 2021 - Australia to trial 'backup' COVID-19 vaccines that can be modified to fight virus mutations (ABC News)

Dec 31, 2020 - The WHO has listed the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (non-proprietary name of tozinameran and branded as Comirnaty) for emergency use, making it the the first to receive emergency validation from WHO since the outbreak began a year ago. (WHO news release)

Dec 30, 2020 - Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine approved for use in UK (BBC News)

Dec 21, 2020 - The European Medicines Agency has recommended the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty, receive 'conditional marketing authorisation' ahead of planned vaccination campaigns across the region next week (EMA)

Dec 18, 2020 - FDA grants emergency use authorisation for second COVID-19 vaccine in USA.

Dec 15, 2020 - Australia has secured an extra 20 million Astra Zeneca vaccines for onshore manufacturing and a further 11 million Novavax vaccines (Aust Dept. of Health)

Dec 11, 2020 - UQ/CSL trial abandoned due vaccine interference in the HIV diagnostic test. 'There is no possibility the vaccine causes infection, and routine follow up tests confirmed there is no HIV virus present.' (CSL)

Dec 3, 2020 - Australian government plans to start roll-out of vaccines in March, 2021 (ABC News)

Dec 2, 2020 - PfizerBioNTech vaccine approved for use in the UK for adults aged 16 years and above; also due for consideration by the FDA (USA) for emergency use authorisation approval on Dec 10, with Moderna's application due on Dec 17 (STAT News)

Dec 2, 2020 - TGA statement on UK government emergency use authorisation related to the COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 supplied by Pfizer and BioNTech

Nov 30, 2020 - Results of Moderna vaccine's Phase 3 trials on 30,000 participants explained in an article from Science.

Nov 23, 2020 -The AstraZeneca vaccine has been shown to be well tolerated in older adults with more results due next month

Nov 18, 2020 - News on the outcome of efficacy trials of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as summarised by STAT News.

Nov 16, 2020 – Press release on the first interim analysis of the Phase 3 study for the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine

How Many COVID-19 Vaccines Are Being Developed & Tracked Globally?

The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently tracking the vaccine development of around 170 candidate vaccines globally and they are in various stages of progress – from pre-clinical phases to large-scale human trials and to widespread distribution in some countries. Once a coronavirus vaccine trial results prove successful, the sponsoring company formally applies to regulatory bodies to have their vaccine approved for use in the general public.

COVID-19 Vaccine Timeline Phases

The pathway to developing a successful vaccine follows several stages - not all may apply: Pre-clinical testing, Phase 1, 2 and 3 trials – sometimes a combination of 2 phases, early approval or emergency use only, approval granted by each country’s regulators, post-approval surveillance, and of course a pause in a trial in response to a concern over a side effect or safety issue.

Research & Testing

Unprecedented international scientific cooperation geared towards a single topic, the SARS Coronavirus-2, has boosted vaccine research which built on work started in response to the SARS outbreak in 2002-3. This has meant a faster vaccine development process than the usual, which can take years or even decades without always resulting in an approved therapeutic. The Australian government is ‘supporting world-leading research activities to speed up the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments’. Read more from the Australian Dept. of Health and the WHO COVID-19 R&D Blueprint.

Phase 1

Prior to entering into Phase 1 clinical trials, a vaccine first undergoes a pre-clinical assessment or exploratory studies with a fractional dose given to a very limited group of people. Once this stage is successfully passed, a small number of healthy adults are given the vaccine in different dosages (to find a safe dosage range) and subsequently tested for an immune response and checked for any safety issues. Read more

Phase 2

The trial is expanded to a much larger and more diverse group of people – from a wider age range – to test how well it performed under controlled conditions, assessing the immune response to the vaccine, and for further evaluation of what could be any more common side effects, plus any safety issues. Read more

Phase 3

There can be many thousands of people in Phase 3 trials which are undertaken in the community. Volunteers are either given the trial vaccine or a placebo and a successful outcome is hinged on fewer people in the vaccine group becoming infected than the placebo group. During this trial, more uncommon side effects may also become apparent. This phase is followed by each country’s regulatory approval process and post-approval surveillance. Read more

Early Approval

The TGA has been reviewing preliminary data from the various vaccine trials while also working in cooperation with international counterparts to ensure that information on clinical trials, manufacturing and safety is shared, allowing a speedy but safe regulatory process for Australia and our region.

Approval

In Australia, the approval of vaccines is undertaken by the TGA from advice provided by the Advisory Committee on Vaccines, an independent committee composed of members with expertise in science, medicine and public health. The TGA also oversees the quality of each batch of vaccine for distribution in Australia. Read more

Facts About COVID-19 Vaccinations

The job of these vaccines is to imitate the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes the disease COVID-19), prompting a person’s immune system to produce antibodies which can fight the coronavirus. The most novel of vaccines are the mRNA vaccines, where genetically engineered pieces of the virus mRNA (such as the piece that codes for spike protein) are injected and taken up by muscle cells which then use this genetic material to generate the spike protein, so that our immune system can very rapidly generate an immune response including the production of antibodies. These antibodies will be produced by the body if it ever is threatened by the virus. No mRNA vaccine has yet been licenced for use

COVID-19 Vaccine Composition

Rigorous testing ensures that all components of any vaccine are as safe as possible while also producing the best possible immune response. These include some form of the antigen, adjuvants which enhance the actions of the vaccines to produce antibodies, plus stabilisers and preservatives that ensure vaccine potency from manufacture to when it is finally given to someone. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will assess and grant approval for any vaccines to be used once their safety, quality and effectiveness is proven. More on vaccine composition from the WHO.

Resistance to Vaccination Treatment

There was some early resistance to the idea of rapidly developed vaccines for COVID-19, at least here in Australia, which mainly centred on whether they would be safe. A poll commissioned by the ABC in late September revealed that of the 2,000+ respondents asked whether they would have a vaccine when it became available, only 12 percent said they were either very or somewhat unlikely to do so. More results emerging from vaccine trials showing high levels of protection with minimal side effects may well prove to be reassuring for most of us and pave the way for protective herd immunity.

Vaccine Distribution Strategy & Plan

On Jan 7, 2021, the federal government published Australia's COVID-19 vaccine national roll-out strategy which provides details on the prioritisation of different groups for vaccination against COVID-19. Quarantine and border workers, frontline health care worker sub-groups, aged care and disability care staff and aged care and disability care residents are those in the first, phase 1a of the roll-out.

Possible Vaccine Side Effects & Reactions

Vaccines are like any medication in that they can cause side effects – the most common are usually mild and include a low-grade fever, headache, fatigue or pain or redness at the injection site which all settle within a few days without treatment. Allergic reactions to vaccines are minimised through pre-vaccination screening while severe or long-lasting side effects are extremely rare. Every vaccine is continually monitored by the TGA to ensure ‘acceptable safety, efficacy/performance and quality for its intended use’.

Vaxzevria has been associated with a rare but serious side effect (4-6 cases per million doses) called Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), also known as Vaccine-induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia (VIPIT), which appears to be more frequently reported following the first dose. This thrombotic syndrome differs from common venous thrombo-embolic disease in that it is immune-mediated, rather than associated with the commonly known risk factors for thrombosis. It tends to occur in unusual sites resulting in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and splanchnic vein thrombosis, both of which carry significant morbidity and mortality. TTS following Vaxzevria vaccination has occurred mostly in younger vaccine recipients (under 60 years of age). Read more from ATAGI.

What symptoms may be associated with TTS? The TGA advises that if the symptoms such as the following develop a few days after vaccination, immediate medical attention should be sought -

severe or persistent headache or blurred vision
shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal pain
unusual skin bruising and/or pinpoint round spots beyond the site of injection.

There have been some reports of inflammation of the heart or its surrounding membrane (myocarditis and pericarditis) that have occurred, mainly in teenage boys, usually within 7 days of receiving the second dose of mRNA vaccines – most individuals responded to treatment and rest. The TGA is monitoring the situation for a causal link to the vaccination, but does note that both conditions ‘often occur following a viral infection and most cases are mild with no long-term effects. Severe cases may cause damage to the heart muscle although this is very rare.’ While investigations continue, both in Australia and overseas, the TGA advises ‘people to report symptoms that could suggest myocarditis or pericarditis such as of chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations, particularly after the second dose'.

In August, 2021, ATAGI published advice on the topic: 'Guidance on Myocarditis and Pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines'.

Types of COVID-19 Vaccines

More on the four types of COVID-19 vaccines (Whole virus, Protein subunit, Nucleic and Viral vector) and how they work from GAV I, the Vaccine Alliance.

The Australian government has various agreements for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines, conditional on TGA approval.

AstraZeneca/University of Oxford - AZD1222 Viral vector vaccine (Vaxzevria)
Pfizer/BioNTech - BNT162b2 mRNA-based vaccine (COMIRNATY)
Novavax - NVX-CoV2373 Protein vaccine
Moderna - cx-024414 mRNA-based vaccine (Spikevax)
Another 7 vaccines are included in the COVAX facility, which is a global effort to support fair access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries. Aust. Dept. of Health

Currently there is guidance for the use of Comirnaty and Spikevax vaccines, which in Australia are recommended for use in people aged 12 years and above, while Vaxzevria is for use in adults aged 60 years and older (except in outbreak settings where the recommended age group is extended if access is unavailable to alternate vaccines). More will be known about the recommended age groups and any potential side effects of other vaccines to be used in Australia as results of human trials are published.

More on the vaccines in development across the world from GAVI.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQs

Why do we need a vaccine?

Prevention is always better than cure, particularly as we still lack therapeutics known to effectively treat COVID-19 in all its phases. An effective vaccine should enable international travel to be re-established and vaccinated travellers are more likely to be protected from contracting COVID-19 or at least protected from having severe disease. Currently data is lacking on how effective COVID-19 vaccines are at preventing disease transmission, but it is envisaged that the risk of disease transmission will be significantly reduced.

When was the first vaccine released in Australia?

The first COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer's Comirnaty, was provisionally approved in Australia on Jan 25, 2021, and the second, COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, on February 16. The TGA performs batch testing of vaccine supplies before they are released for administration to the population and monitors vaccine safety after registration so that any safety concerns can be detected and then responded to. The commencement of Phase 1a of the national vaccination roll-out was in late February and has now been followed by 1b, and from May 3, 2021 all adults 50 years and over became eligible for vaccination. (Australian Dept. of Health) (TGA 2020)

Who received the first vaccinations?

The target populations in the initial phases of vaccine roll-out were those considered at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 disease or suffering severe outcomes, such as key workers in border control and quarantine, as well as those in front line healthcare and aged care. For further information see Australia's COVID-19 vaccine national roll-out strategy. (ATAGI 2020)

VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

How are vaccines developed?

RESEARCH & TESTING

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

EARLY APPROVAL

APPROVAL

What types of vaccines are we to have in Australia?

The agreements the federal government has in place are for 4 vaccines:

Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (Comirnaty) – mRNA vaccine. The messenger RNA carries a genetic code for a piece of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the spike protein, that is taken up by muscle cells. These cells use the code to make the spike protein and display it on the cells’ surface and, because it is foreign, this prompts our immune system to mount a response to the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.
Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine (Vaxzevria) – viral vector vaccine. This contains a non-replicating, harmless virus like a common cold virus (adenovirus, the vector) which is used to carry the genetic code for the coronavirus’ spike protein. The vector virus enters our cells allowing them to make the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. It is then expressed on the cell’s surface for our immune system cells to recognise and mount a response to it.
Biocelect/Novavax - protein subunit vaccine. In this type of vaccine, virus-like nanoparticles are used as a base and then covered with genetically engineered pieces of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein which are then recognised by our immune system cells to mount a response. More about protein sub-unit vaccines from GAVI.
Moderna (Spikevax) - mRNA vaccine which uses the same technology as the Pfizer vaccine (Comirnaty). Read more

VACCINE SAFETY

These vaccines have been developed very quickly, so are they safe?

Coronavirus vaccine research started in response to the SARS outbreak in 2002 and while real progress was made, once the outbreak ended in 2003 funding slowed and only very limited research continued. Now, unprecedented international scientific cooperation has boosted vaccine development and newer platforms now offer different types of vaccines. Testing of vaccine safety continues throughout the manufacturing process and the bottom line is that the risk of having a severe outcome from COVID-19 far outweighs any theoretical risk of a vaccine. (NCIRS 2020)

The vaccines which are being developed have had tens of thousands of people in their trials, totalling nearly 250,000 world-wide, providing researchers with a much larger amount of data than for many other vaccines routinely used. (NCIRS 2020)

Technology has advanced significantly and manufacturing of vaccines is much faster now, including sequencing of the genetic code of the virus. (NCIRS 2020)

What are the side-effects of COVID-19 vaccines?

As with all vaccines, some minor side effects can be expected and they are usually mild and temporary. Clinical trials have shown the most common side effects experienced were:

Injection site pain
Redness at the injection site
Fever, fatigue or muscle aches and pains
Headaches

These are signs that your immune system is being activated.

An observational study from the UK published in the medical journal the Lancet found that localised injection site pain and swelling was more common with the Pfizer vaccine, while diarrhoea, fatigue, headache, chills, nausea were more common following the administration of the Vaxzevria vaccine.

Please refer to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for further information on the different vaccines currently available. (Pfizer 2020)

Anyone who experiences a suspected side effect after vaccination is encouraged to report it to the clinic/provider where the vaccine was administered, or to contact the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) directly. (https://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems)

What about the clotting condition that has occurred in some people who have had Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) vaccine?

COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca has been associated with a rare side effect (4-6 cases per million doses) called Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), also known as Vaccine-induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia (VIPIT), which appears to be more frequently reported following the first dose. The timeframe for onset has ranged from 2 to 52 days, but is generally around 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine, according to the TGA. This thrombotic syndrome differs from common venous thrombo-embolic disease in that it is immune-mediated, rather than associated with the commonly known risk factors for thrombosis. It tends to occur in unusual sites resulting in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and splanchnic vein thrombosis, both of which carry significant morbidity and mortality. TTS following COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca vaccination has occurred mostly in younger vaccine recipients (under 60 years of age). More from the Australian Academy of Science: 'What we know about the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots' and also an animated explanation of TTS developed by the Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC).

What symptoms do I have to look out for with TTS?

The TGA advises that if the symptoms such as the following develop two or more days after vaccination, immediate medical attention should be sought -

severe or persistent headache or blurred vision
shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal pain
unusual skin bruising and/or pinpoint round spots beyond the site of injection.

What is known from the reports of heart inflammation with mRNA vaccines?

There have been some overseas reports of inflammation of the heart or its surrounding membrane (myocarditis and pericarditis) that has occurred, mainly in teenage boys, usually within 7 days of receiving the second dose of mRNA vaccines – most individuals responded to treatment and rest. The TGA is monitoring the situation for a causal link to the vaccination, but does note that both conditions ‘often occur following a viral infection and most cases are mild with no long-term effects. Severe cases may cause damage to the heart muscle although this is very rare.’ While investigations continue, both in Australia and overseas, the TGA advises ‘people to report symptoms that could suggest myocarditis or pericarditis such as of chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations, particularly after the second dose'.

In August, 2021, ATAGI published advice on the topic: 'Guidance on Myocarditis and Pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines'.

Should I take paracetamol or ibuprofen pain relievers before or after having the COVID-19 vaccine?

It is not routinely recommended to take these medications after COVID-19 vaccinations, however they can be considered if you are experiencing some of the very common side effects such as pain, fever, headaches, fatigue or muscle aches. (ATAGI 2021)

Can I get COVID-19 infection from having the vaccine?

No, there is no live virus in the vaccine and it will not cause COVID-19 disease; the vaccine components are unable to reproduce and grow in your body to cause an infection. (CDC 2021)

The vaccines will not change your genetic code or DNA. mRNA vaccines such as the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine instruct our cells to produce proteins which can fight the coronavirus and they do this without entering the human cell nucleus where your DNA is located. (CDC 2021)

You will not show a positive COVID-19 swab test after having the vaccine. What can occur, is a COVID-19 infection that results from being exposed to someone infected with the virus just prior to or after having a vaccine, and before the vaccine becomes effective. (CDC 2021)

Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms after vaccination will still need to be tested at a COVID-19 testing site.

Will vaccines be effective in protecting everyone?

Trials are continuing into the details of efficacy for each of the available vaccines across different groups of people and for all emerging variants.

I am pregnant/breastfeeding, so can I get the COVID-19 vaccination?

The Australian government Department of Health’s decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy advises that, while COVID-19 vaccines have not yet been studied in detail in breastfeeding women, there are no concerns about their safety for this group or their babies, and there is no evidence breastfeeding women have an increased risk of complications compared to women who are not breastfeeding. So, if you are breastfeeding you can receive Comirnaty or COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca at any time. You do not need to stop breastfeeding before or after vaccination.

Vaccination does not affect fertility and getting vaccinated before conceiving means you will have some protection against COVID-19 throughout your pregnancy.

ATAGI recommends that pregnant women are routinely offered Pfizer mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty) at any stage of pregnancy. This is because the risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 is significantly higher for pregnant women and for their unborn baby.

Global surveillance data from large numbers of pregnant women have not identified any significant safety concerns with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines given at any stage of pregnancy. Furthermore, there is also evidence of antibody in cord blood and breastmilk, which may offer protection to infants through passive immunity.

Can COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility?

The ATAGI and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) joint statement issued on June 9, 2021, advised that 'Women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to delay vaccination or avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination'. If you are considering pregnancy, get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. It is well documented that pregnant women are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 compared than women of childbearing age who are not pregnant. COVID-19 has also been linked to an increased risk of pre-term birth.

Can the influenza vaccine be given at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine?

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised that influenza vaccines and COVID-19 booster vaccine doses can be co-administered. The advice on co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines is currently being reviewed and further advice will be provided in the upcoming revised ATAGI Clinical Guidance on Use of COVID-19 Vaccine in Australia. Read more

Once I’ve had the vaccine, does that mean I can stop wearing masks and avoid close contact with other people?

Even after having your COVID-19 vaccines, for everyone’s safety it is still important to follow the public health guidelines in your community, which could well vary depending on outbreaks. All COVID-19 preventative measures such as wearing masks and social distancing are determined and imposed through Public Health Orders. (NCIRS 2020)

As we learn more about COVID-19 and the vaccines we will know more on whether herd immunity can be achieved. Herd immunity occurs through a high enough percentage of a population being vaccinated and immune to prevent the onward spread of a particular disease from person to person. (NCIRS 2020)

VACCINE CHARACTERISTICS

Will COVID-19 vaccination be mandatory?

COVID-19 vaccination will be voluntary. The Australian government will be providing COVID-19 vaccines free of charge to citizens, permanent residents and most visa holders. Australians have a great record in taking up immunisation so the federal government hopes to vaccinate as many of our population as possible. (NCIRS 2020)

When will I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

The Australian Government proposes to vaccinate most of our population against COVID-19 in 2021. Advice on the prioritisation of vaccine administration to at-risk groups and the general community has been provided by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and details of the different phases are outlined in the Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccines National Rollout Strategy.

Which vaccine will I get?

Currently the only vaccines approved by the TGA are the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine Comirnaty, AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria and Spikevax, the vaccine produced by Moderna. The fourth vaccine planned for use in Australia is the Novavax vaccine, and it is currently under review by the TGA.

Which vaccine is better?

The vaccines approved in Australia have been shown to be safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 disease for their recommended age groups. Individuals will not be able to choose which vaccine will be offered to them, but can be assured that any vaccine will have been through all the safety processes before being approved and all recipients will make an informed decision based on all available information before it is administered.

I received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination overseas – what do I do about getting the second dose now I’m back in Australia?

If the same COVID-19 vaccine brand is available in Australia, speak to your GP about receiving the next dose. There are recommended intervals between the two doses and these will need to be taken into account.

If you received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine that is not available in Australia, your GP or vaccination provider will determine if it is one the vaccines considered valid by our health authorities. If it is, ATAGI has recommended that in these circumstances it is possible to be given an alternative brand to complete the course, however we recommend that you speak to your doctor about this.

Booster doses for people who have received two different vaccine brands (at least 14 days apart) are not currently recommended.

NB: The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine by Johnson & Johnson is given as a single-dose.

Will the vaccine prevent COVID-19 or just prevent me from having a severe illness?

The vaccines have shown high efficacy in preventing COVID-19, particularly severe disease, hospitalisation and death. Read more

While current evidence shows that the vaccines appear to prevent severe COVID-19 disease, it may still be possible to be infected with and transmit the virus that causes COVID-19 to other individuals. This reinforces the message that it is important for anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms to be tested, even after they are vaccinated.

Over the coming months and years, scientists and manufacturers will gather data on the duration of this protection and whether the effectiveness is dependent on the age of the individual and their health status. (NCIRS 2020)

If I have had COVID do I still need to get vaccinated?

Yes, you will still need to be vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19. Although you may have some level of immunity, this can vary and may not last very long, however the full benefits of vaccinating individuals who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 is yet to be established.

Will the COVID-19 vaccines be effective on new coronavirus variants?

Evidence shows that the vaccines currently in use do induce varying levels antibodies which are able to respond to a variety of mutations, some more than others. These developments are being closely monitored. Read more

How many doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be needed?

Most of the vaccines currently in use overseas and those forecast for use in Australia require 2 doses of vaccine administered several weeks apart (ranging from 3 weeks to 12 weeks depending on vaccine).

Why are multi-dose vials being used for the vaccines?

Due to the extremely large amounts of vaccine that are being manufactured and distributed, the most efficient way of storing the vaccines is in multi-dose vials. Just before administration, the healthcare worker will dispense the exact amount into a separate syringe ready to be injected.

Can I drink alcohol after having the vaccine?

Consuming alcohol just before or after having the vaccination is not expected to impact the effectiveness of the vaccines but this has not been thoroughly tested and so is not recommended.

Does the flu or pneumococcal vaccine protect me against COVID-19?

No, the pneumococcal and flu vaccines protect you from a different illness to COVID-19. It is important to have those vaccines if offered.

Can children have the vaccine?

Vaccine trials continue to determine their safety and efficacy in children and the advice may change in the future. Some countries have authorised the use of specific COVID-19 vaccines in children from 2 years of age*, but this is not the case as yet in Australia.

Who can’t have the coronavirus vaccine?

Currently in Australia there are no approved COVID-19 vaccines for use in children under 12 years of age. A COVID-19 vaccine is also contraindicated in those people who have a history of anaphylaxis to any component of the particular vaccine - there may be an alternative vaccine which is appropriate in these cases. In addition, anyone with an acute febrile illness (body temperature over 38.5°C) should defer vaccination until the fever has subsided.

What is in the vaccine?

The mRNA vaccines contains highly purified single-stranded, 5’-capped messenger RNA (mRNA) as their active ingredient.

The inactive ingredients are chemicals needed to make up the Comirnaty solution. They are: ALC-0315 = (4-hydroxybutyl) azanediyl)bis (hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ALC-0159 = 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide; 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; cholesterol; potassium chloride; potassium dihydrogen phosphate; sodium chloride; disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate; sucrose; and water. An ingredient to note is polyethylene glycol/macrogol (PEG) as part of ALC-0159.

Read more about how the Pfizer vaccine works

The inactive ingredients of Spikevax are: Heptadecan-9-yl 8-[2-hydroxyethyl-(6-oxo-6-undecoxyhexyl)amino]octanoate Cholesterol Distearoylphosphatidylcholine 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycero-3-methoxypolyethylene glycol-2000 Trometamol Trometamol hydrochloride Acetic acid Sodium acetate trihydrate Sucrose Water for injections

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine contains a modified harmless form of a different virus as its active ingredient. It contains genetically modified cells.

The inactive ingredients are chemicals to make up the vaccine solution. They are: L-Histidine; L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate; magnesium chloride hexahydrate; polysorbate 80; ethanol; sucrose; sodium chloride; disodium edetate dihydrate; and water.

Read more about how the Oxford vaccine works

Is the vaccine compatible with my religion?

There is some guidance for a variety of faiths:

The Catholic Church says: ‘all clinically recommended vaccinations can be used in clear conscience’ Read more
The Church of England has declared that all clinically recommended vaccines can be used. Read more
The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) has consulted various experts in infectious diseases, the pharmaceutical industry, clinical medicine, commissioning, inequalities research, public health, and bioethicists to produce the following statement on the Pfizer/BioNTechCovid-19vaccine: ‘We recommend the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for eligible at-risks individuals in the Muslim community.’ Read more
Orthodox Jewish groups in England and the USA have encouraged their community members to be vaccinated. Read more

Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain animal products?

The approved vaccines do not contain any ingredients derived from pigs, cows or other animals. (Green book 2020)

Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain human foetal cells?

The AstraZeneca vaccine uses a harmless, weakened form of an adenovirus, which is grown in human embryonic stem cells. It is important to know these were not taken directly from human embryos but are copies of stem cells which originally date back to 1970. The vaccine does not contain any embryonic cells. (Green book 2020)

How much would vaccines cost?

The Australian government will be providing COVID-19 vaccines free of charge for citizens, permanent residents and most visa holders, with the medical consultation for administration of the all 3 vaccines to be provided in a bulk bill visit for those who are eligible at participating GP clinics. (NCIRS 2020)

VACCINES AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Is the vaccine safe for people with heart and circulatory conditions?

It is even more important for some people with existing medical conditions to have the vaccinations so as to prevent COVID-19 infection. People with certain underlying pre-existing medical conditions are reported to be at increased risk of severe outcomes with COVID-19 compared with healthy individuals of the same age. Provided the individual does not have a severe allergy to any of the vaccine components, generally they are able to have the vaccination. If you have any concerns regarding your medical condition and COVID-19 vaccines please discuss these with your specialist.

Some of the heart and circulatory conditions which put the individual in a priority group for earlier vaccination are as follows (this is not a comprehensive list):

atrial fibrillation
coronary heart disease - that means you take regular medication and/or have regular follow-up (includes angina, heart attack and heart bypass, no matter how long ago)
congenital heart disease
dementia
diabetes (type 1 or type 2, even if you don’t need to take medication)
heart failure
history of blood clot in a vein (such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
peripheral arterial disease
stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) (Green book 2020)

Is the vaccine safe for people taking heart medications?

Yes, COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people taking heart medications. The medications won’t stop the vaccine from working and at this time there are no concerns that these types of drugs will interact with the vaccine.

More information on myocarditis and pericarditis following mRNA vaccination can be found here.

Is the vaccine safe for people taking blood thinners like warfarin or other anticoagulants?

The vaccine is generally safe in individuals on warfarin or other anticoagulants, however it is important that healthcare providers are made aware of individuals taking these medications. (Green book 2020)

Injections for COVID-19 are injected into the muscle and it is possible that someone on blood thinners may experience some bleeding and this may take a little longer to stop, or a bruise may develop at the injection site.

If an individual’s warfarin INR level is > 3.0, vaccination should be delayed and the result discussed with your medical practitioner. For anyone on anti-factor-Xa-treatment, such as low molecular weight heparin (i.e. Clexane), vaccination should be delayed if the 4 hours post-dose level is > 0.5 units/ml. (Australian Immunisation Handbook).

Is the vaccine safe for people with immune deficiency or autoimmune disorders?

None of the vaccines under consideration is live-attenuated vaccines. They are generally safe for people with immune system disorders, however it is advised that anyone being treated for these disorders should consult with their specialist treating doctor for specific advice. (Green book 2020)

I have a number of allergies, can I still get the vaccine?

In the case of allergies that you are aware of, a pre-vaccination assessment will determine if the vaccine is suitable or if an alternative formulation may be possible.

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) states that ‘There is no evidence that people with allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever, food allergy or insect sting allergy are at any greater risk of vaccine allergy compared to the general population. Unlike some other vaccines, there is no food, gelatin or latex in the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available, and they are not grown in eggs. If a person has had an allergic reaction to another vaccine, this does not mean that they will also be allergic to the COVID-19 vaccine.’(ASCIA 2021)

Do allergy treatments need to be stopped to have a COVID-19 vaccine?

Regular allergy treatments, such as those for hay fever, asthma and eczema, should be continued, but there are conditions placed on those people receiving allergen or venom immunotherapy which means that the injections shouldn’t be given within 48 hours of COVID-19 vaccination. The reason being a risk of confusing vaccine side effects with allergic reactions from the immunotherapy. (ASCIA 2021).

Do immunodeficiency or autoimmune treatments need to be stopped to have a COVID-19 vaccine?

Ceasing treatments for autoimmune conditions and immunodeficiencies can increase the risk of COVID-19 disease complications. Advice should be sought from the treating specialist as it may be recommended for vaccination to occur on a different day to regular infusion treatments. Once again, the risk of confusing vaccine side effects with allergic reactions is a consideration. (Green book 2020)

Lastly, 'the Australian Academy of Science has launched a new guide about the science of immunisation to help counter misinformation and uncertainty surrounding vaccines for COVID-19 and other diseases'. The guide offers answers to common questions, such as:

► What is immunisation?
► What is in a vaccine?
► Who benefits from vaccines?
► Are vaccines safe?
► What does the future hold for vaccination?

The guide is available online as web content, as a downloadable PDF and in print, and there are short easy-to-understand videos to watch and share.

CORONAVIRUS ADDITIONAL FAQS

How do I get a COVID19 vaccine passport?

The Australian Passport Office has step-by-step instructions on obtaining your Australian-issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) for international travel.

What are the international travel requirements for Australians going overseas?

Fully vaccinated Australians aged 12 years and over who have received two doses of a TGA approved or recognised vaccine (or first dose if it's a one dose regime), with the second dose at least 7 days before and with doses spread at least 14 days apart are able to travel internationally without needing an exemption.

Smartraveller now has four travel advice levels with regards to health and safety overseas:

Level 1: Exercise normal safety precautions
Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
Level 3: Reconsider your need to travel
Level 4: Do not travel

Further details can be found at:

Australian Govt. Dept of Home Affairs: Travel for vaccinated Australians and permanent residents
Australian Govt. Dept of Health: International travel and COVID-19
IATA COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map
US CDC COVID-19 International Travel Recommendations by Destination

What are the requirements for international travellers arriving in Australia?

For the most up to date requirements for entry into Australia, go to Smartraveller.

If you received your COVID-19 vaccines overseas and haven’t registered your vaccinations in the Australian Vaccination Register (AIR), Guidance on foreign vaccination certificates (found on the Australian Passport Office website) explains the protocols. Foreign vaccination certificates will be accepted by Australian authorities if they comply with certain criteria and the vaccine used is one that has been approved by the TGA.

Approved and recognised COVID19 vaccines are listed on Smartraveller and Guidance on foreign vaccination certificates can be found at the Australian Passport Office.

Domestic travel within Australia

Current rules on traveling interstate can be found at Australian Interstate Travel Advice.

This site covers all Australian states and is updated when border changes occur.

Who can now get vaccinated against COVID-19?

Please go to the Australian Government Department of Health: Who can get vaccinated

Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Vaccination services are available at many locations, including dedicated vaccine hubs, medical centres and pharmacies. Please go to the Australian Government Department of Health: Vaccination locations

or you can call the Coronavirus helpline if you need information about COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccines – open 24 hours, 7 days on 1800 020 080.

How will I know when I need to get my booster shot?

The Australian Department of Health has provided COVID-19 booster vaccine advice - Learn about booster doses for COVID-19 vaccines, who they are recommended for, when you need one and how to get it. There is additional information on boosters through the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

Are we going to need to get boosters every year? Is it going to turn into a shot like the flu vaccine?

There is not enough evidence as yet to determine length of immunity after boosters, nor if new variants may emerge requiring the vaccine to be adjusted to continue to boost immunity periodically.

Does having the COVID vaccination during pregnancy protect the newborn?

Key points

Pregnant people are a priority group for COVID-19 vaccination and should be routinely offered (Pfizer) Comirnaty at any stage of pregnancy.
Those who are trying to become pregnant do not need to delay vaccination or avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination.
Real-world evidence has shown that Comirnaty is safe for those who are pregnant and breast-feeding.
COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca can be considered for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy, if they cannot access Comirnaty and if the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks for that individual.
Those who are pregnant have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Their babies also have a higher risk of being born prematurely.
COVID-19 vaccination may provide indirect protection to babies by transferring antibodies through the placenta (for those who are pregnant) or through breast milk (for those who are breastfeeding).

Further details can be found at RANZCOG.

How do the vaccines work and what are the side effects?

Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (Comirnaty) – mRNA vaccine. The messenger RNA carries a genetic code for a piece of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the spike protein, that is taken up by muscle cells. These cells use the code to make the spike protein and display it on the cells’ surface and, because it is foreign, this prompts our immune system to mount a response to the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.
Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine (Vaxzevria) – viral vector vaccine. This contains a non-replicating, harmless virus like a common cold virus (adenovirus, the vector) which is used to carry the genetic code for the coronavirus’ spike protein. The vector virus enters our cells allowing them to make the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. It is then expressed on the cell’s surface for our immune system cells to recognise and mount a response to it.
Moderna (Spikevax) - mRNA vaccine which uses the same technology as the Pfizer vaccine (Comirnaty). Read more
Biocelect/Novavax - protein subunit vaccine. In this type of vaccine, virus-like nanoparticles are used as a base and then covered with genetically engineered pieces of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein which are then recognised by our immune system cells to mount a response. More about protein sub-unit vaccines from GAVI.

As with all vaccines, some minor side effects can be expected and they are usually mild and temporary. These are signs that your immune system is being activated.

Clinical trials have shown the most common side effects experienced were:

Injection site pain
Redness at the injection site
Fever, fatigue or muscle aches and pains
Headaches

The HealthDirect website has comprehensive advice on potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines: After you get the COVID-19 vaccination.

Can the influenza vaccine be given at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine?

Covid vaccination and Botox / Dermal Fillers

The protection offered from the vaccine is still believed to far outweigh the very rare risk of isolated cases of swelling from dermal fillers.

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery recommends that patients already treated with dermal fillers could receive vaccines of any kind without concern. Clients who wish to have injected vaccines, does not affect them from receiving dermal fillers. Details can be found on the Wiley online library.

Do I still have to do 14 days quarantine if I return a negative COVID-19 test result?

Quarantine requirements following testing for COVID-19 infection vary according to the state or territory you are in. For more information, find the relevant links at Australia.gov.au.

Which types of settings does COVID-19 spread more easily?

The WHO names 3 settings where the virus that causes COVID-19 infection (SARS-CoV-2) spreads more easily – the risk is greater if these overlap:

Crowded places
Close-contact settings, especially where people have conversations very near each other
Confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

How long does it take for symptoms of the coronavirus disease to appear?

The incubation period of COVID-19 ranges from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and the timeframe between exposure and testing positive by PCR is from 3 to 5 days (for the Delta variant). The infectious period for COVID-19 is generally thought to be from 2 days before the onset of symptoms until 3 days after, although the length of the infectious period is shortened to a degree after completing a course of COVID-19 vaccines. Booster doses are expected to help control transmission and limit new infections. Read more in ‘Delta’s rise is fuelled by rampant spread from people who feel fine’ and also in a series of FAQs answered by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS).

When can a worker return to the workplace after a positive COVID-19 test?

Your public health unit and clinician will manage your health and the formal period of isolation if you return a positive COVID-19 test result, and they will also be the ones to advise on your return to work once you have recovered, in consultation with your employer. Read more

Is it possible to experience ongoing COVID-19 symptoms?

Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, has published a statement on ‘long Covid’, which is described as the syndrome resulting from the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms more than 12 weeks post-infection. You don’t need to have suffered severe disease in order to develop the syndrome. Prof. Kidd says that up to one in 10 people may be affected by long Covid following COVID-19 infection. Some of the symptoms experienced include extreme tiredness and fatigue, ‘brain fog’, persistent shortness of breath, lack of physical endurance, and depression. What can you do to minimise the risk of long Covid? High vaccination rates in the wider population will add to our herd immunity, limiting the number of people who become infected with COVID-19 and potentially develop long Covid.

REFERENCES:

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation [ATAGI]. (2021c). Interim Clinical Guidance on use of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia in 2021 (version 1.0). https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-preliminary-advice-on-general-principles-to-guide-the-prioritisation-of-target-populations-in-a-covid-19-vaccination-program-in-australia

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation [ATAGI]. (2020c). Preliminary advice on general principles to guide the prioritisation of target populations in a COVID-19 vaccination program in Australia. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/11/atagi-preliminary-advice-on-general-principles-to-guide-the-prioritisation-of-target-populations-in-a-covid-19-vaccination-program-in-australia_0.pdf.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation [ATAGI]. (2018). Australian Immunisation Handbook, Australian Government Department of Health, Canberra, https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/.

Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Allergy, Immunodeficiency, Autoimmunity and COVID-19 Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (2021) https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/ascia-covid-19-vaccination-faq

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2021, January). Facts about vaccination. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html.

Guidance: COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a. Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination information for public health professionals (2020). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-the-green-book-chapter-14a

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance [NCIRS]. (2021). COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions. https://www.ncirs.org.au/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines-frequently-asked-questions.

Pfizer Australia. (2021b). Australian product information – Comirnaty^TM (BNT162b2 [mRNA]) COVID-19 vaccine. TGA. https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/auspar-bnt162b2-mrna-210125-pi.pdf.

Therapeutic Goods Administration [TGA]. (2020). COVID-19 vaccine approval process. https://www.tga.gov.au/covid-19-vaccine-approval-process.

Australian Immunisation Handbook, Australian Government Department of Health, 2018: Vaccination for people with bleeding disorders https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccination-for-special-risk-groups/vaccination-for-people-with-bleeding-disorders

* https://es.euronews.com/2021/11/08/salud-coronavirus-venezuela-ni-os

Learn More About Coronavirus COVID-19

The Australian Department of Health has developed a number of resources on the coronavirus: how Australia is monitoring and responding to COVID -19, how we can help stop the spread of coronavirus and what to do if we have any symptoms. On the vaccine front, the situation is changing and developments are moving quickly.

Travelvax resources: Coronavirus information

Other resources:

Aust. Dept of Health:

o COVID-19 vaccine hub

o COVID-19 vaccine and treatment strategy

o Australian COVID-19 vaccination policy

o Coronavirus - COVID-19 Vaccines information translated into 60+ languages

o COVID-19 vaccines ⁠–⁠ Is it true? Read more

Therapeutics Goods Adminstration: COVID-19 vaccines

NCIRS: COVID-19 vaccine development landscape

NCIRS: COVID-19 Vaccines Frequently Asked Questions

NCIRS: COVID-19 and children. Frequently asked questions

The Australian Government has agreements for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines with:

o University of Oxford/AstraZeneca

o Novavax

o Pfizer/BioNTech

o COVAX Facility

STAT News: COVID-19 drugs and vaccine tracker

World Health Organisation:

Vaccine candidates Read more
Vaccine Q&A Read more
Vaccine research and development Q&A Read more and blueprint
How COVID-19 vaccines are able to be developed so fast? Facebook post
The effects of virus variants on COVID-19 vaccines Read more
Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines Read more
Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine Read more
Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines Read more

Australian Academy of Science:

What is immunisation? Read more
What’s in a vaccine? Read more
How safe are vaccines? Read more plus videos on these topics and more.

GAVI: 5 ways scientists are ensuring safety of COVID-19 vaccines Read more

Glossary of terms

Herd immunity: Protection against a disease either through immunity gained from having the infection (with the inherent risk of severe illness, long-last effects or even mortality) or receiving a vaccine. When the majority of people are immune, it is much less likely that the disease will spread as there are so few susceptible people left to infect. These susceptible people may not be able to have a vaccine either due to their age (too young or too old) and immune deficiencies (i.e. cancer or autoimmune disease).

Efficacy vs effectiveness: Efficacy is measured during a vaccine trial when all conditions are ideal and strictly controlled, whereas effectiveness is determined on how well a vaccine performs when used under normal, real-life situations.

Pandemic vaccines 101: Do you understand the medical terms used to explain COVID-19 vaccines? ABC

NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service has produced a glossary of COVID-19 medical terms translated into more than 25 languages. Read more

Latest Updates on Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccinations