About COVID-19 vaccines
Everyone in Australia aged 5 years and older, and some children aged 6 months to 4 years, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia. This includes people without a Medicare card, overseas visitors, international students, migrant workers and asylum seekers. Getting vaccinated will help protect you, your family and your community from COVID-19.
The Australian Government has not made vaccination mandatory and you can choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19
Some state and territory public health orders can mandate vaccination in certain circumstances. For example, for some types of employment and for some community activities.
Vaccines are safe
COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and save lives. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) continues to closely monitor COVID-19 vaccine safety and side effects.
Learn more about each vaccine available in Australia:
COVID-19 vaccines teach your body to get rid of the virus if you come into contact with it.
If you have any questions or worries after your vaccination, contact your vaccination clinic or doctor.
Learn more about what to expect after your vaccination.
Who should get vaccinated
Everyone 5 years and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine protects you from getting very sick or dying from COVID-19.
Getting vaccinated also helps protect people around you by slowing the spread of the virus.
To be considered up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination, you must have had all the doses recommended for your age and health needs.
Some children aged 6 months to 4 years who are severely immunocompromised, or have disability, as well as those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Bookings are now open for this age group through the Vaccine Clinic Finder. Check back regularly, as appointments will continue to be added by immunisation providers
Children aged 6 months to 4 years should get:
- primary dose 1 and 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine
- primary dose 3 if they are severely immunocompromised.
Children aged 5 to 11 years should get:
- primary dose 1 and 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine
- primary dose 3 if they are severely immunocompromised.
Children aged 12 to 15 years should get:
- primary dose 1 and 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine
- primary dose 3 if they are severely immunocompromised.
- a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if they:
- are severely immunocompromised
- have a disability with significant or complex health needs
- have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19.
Talk to your doctor if you are unsure if your child should receive a booster.
Everyone aged 16 years or older should get:
- primary dose 1 and 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine
- primary dose 3 if they are severely immunocompromised
- a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Fourth doses
An additional booster, or fourth dose, of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk of severe illness, to be given 3 months after their first booster dose.
This will be a fifth dose for people with who are severely immunocompromised, have an underlying medical condition or disability.
You should get a fourth dose if you are:
- 50 years or older
- a resident of an aged care or disability care facility
- severely immunocompromised (this will be a fifth dose)
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and aged 50 years or older
- 16 years or older and with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness
- 16 years or older with disability or very complex health needs.
People aged 30 to 49 years old can receive a fourth dose if they choose.
Speak with your doctor if you are not sure if you should receive a fourth booster dose.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 it is recommended that you wait 3 months after COVID-19 infection before receiving your next COVID-19 vaccine dose.
People who had COVID-19 after their booster dose should also wait at least 3 months before having a fourth dose.
It's important to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. Different people may need different COVID-19 vaccines at different times. Talk to your health care provider to find what you and your family need to do to stay up to date.
Children
COVID-19 vaccines are safe for children.
Vaccination children can help prevent them passing the virus onto younger siblings, grandparents, and the wider community.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teenagers.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
COVID-19 vaccines are safe if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy. You can receive the vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.
Learn more about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and COVID-19 vaccines.
People with disability
People with disability face a greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and should get vaccinated.
If you want more help or support, you can call the Disability Gateway Helpline on 1800 643 787. They can make a booking for you.
If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service 131 450 and ask them to telephone the Disability Gateway.
People with existing health issues
People with existing health issues are at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and should get vaccinated.
Talk to your regular health care provider about the best vaccine for your situation.
Where to get vaccinated
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine at:
- Commonwealth vaccination clinics
- participating general practices
- Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services
- state and territory vaccination clinics, and
- participating pharmacies.
General practitioners cannot charge you for the vaccine.
To find your nearest vaccination clinic and book your vaccination, use the Vaccine Clinic Finder. If you need phone or on-site interpreting at your vaccine appointment, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
If you don’t have a Medicare card
If you don’t have a Medicare card, you can get your free vaccination at:
- Commonwealth vaccinations clinics
- state or territory vaccination clinics
- participating pharmacies.
‘Hey Eva’ – Easy Vaccine Access
EVA, is a simple callback service to help people book a COVID-19 vaccine. EVA operates 7 am to 10 pm (AEST), 7 days a week.
When you message EVA you will receive a reply asking for your:
- name
- preferred language
- preferred date and time
- best number for a call back.
A trained operator from the National Coronavirus Helpline will call you at the scheduled time to help book your COVID-19 vaccination.
EVA offers information and advice about COVID-19 vaccines and helps with:
- providing information and advice on COVID-19 vaccines
- helping you find a walk-in clinic
- helping you find an appropriate vaccine appointment
- connecting you with free interpreting support.
For help making a COVID-19 vaccine booking, SMS ‘Hey EVA’ to the EVA call back services on 0481 611 382. EVA operates from 7am to 10pm (AEST), 7 days a week.
Before your COVID-19 vaccine
If you haven't already done so, book an appointment.
If you have a Medicare card, check your details are up to date:
- through your Medicare online account via myGov
- in the Express Plus Medicare app
- by calling Services Australia.
You may be asked to fill out a consent form before your appointment, or if you are making a vaccination decision for someone else.
Read the consent form.
Read the information and consent form for children aged 5 to 11 years.
After your COVID-19 vaccine
You will be monitored for at least 15 minutes after your vaccination in case of a rare allergic reaction. The person who gives you the vaccine has been trained to respond to immediate reactions.
Usually side effects from COVID-19 vaccines are mild and go away within 1 to 2 days. Common side effects include:
- a sore arm where the needle went in
- tiredness
- headache
- muscle pain
- fever and chills.
As with any medicine or vaccine, there may be rare or unknown side effects. If you think you are having serious side effects contact your health care professional, or the National Coronavirus Helpline.
If you need an interpreter, call the National Coronavirus Helpline and choose option 8.
Proof of vaccination
You can get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination by accessing your Immunisation History Statement.
You can access your Immunisation History Statement:
- online, by setting up your own myGov account and then accessing your Medicare online account
- through the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
If you do not have a Medicare card, or do not have access to a myGov account, you can access your Immunisation History Statement by:
- asking your vaccination provider to print a copy for you
- calling the Australian Immunisation Register enquiries line on 1800 653 809 (8 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday AEST) and asking them to send your statement to you in the mail. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the mail.
For more information on how to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations, see the Services Australia website.
Where to go for trusted information
It’s important to stay informed about the COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccination program through reliable and official sources.
Answers to common questions on COVID-19 vaccines is available in 63 languages.
An information pack containing in-language resources about COVID-19 vaccines is available.
Read information about COVID-19 in your language.
Resources
View more translated COVID-19 vaccine information.