Information for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines

Vaccines protect you

COVID-19 is a disease that can make you sick. A vaccine is a medicine that can help stop you from getting very sick.

You can learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations in our fact sheets.

Deciding whether to get vaccinated

If you go to get a COVID-19 vaccine, the staff there will ask you whether it is okay to give you the vaccine. It is your choice to have the vaccine or not.

If you say yes, this is called consent.

If you can't give consent, someone who is allowed to make decisions for you can give consent for you.

Booking a vaccine

You can get a vaccine at:

• your doctor (GP)
• a pharmacy or chemist.

You can find a nearby vaccination service and book your COVID-19 vaccination online by using the healthdirect Service Finder.

The Service Finder can also help you find a vaccination service that suits you, including a service with quiet spaces and wheelchair access.

Your disability service provider can also help you find a vaccination service.

Home visits

You can ask if you can get a COVID-19 vaccination where you live.

Doctors, nurses within general practice and pharmacists can get special payments from the government to give COVID-19 vaccinations away from their office. This includes in disability residential services, residential aged care or at someone’s private home.

If you live in disability residential accommodation, you can get a vaccination service to come to your home.  Your residential disability service provider can arrange this for you.

If you do not have a provider, you can ask your local primary health network (PHN) to help you find someone to come to your home. 

If you have questions, you can email our COVID-19 vaccines disability team. 

Getting help

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.

You can also visit the Disability Gateway website.

Or you can visit the healthdirect website.

The National Relay Service is available for people who have trouble hearing or speaking with people who use a phone.

Getting ready for your vaccination

Talk to your doctor or disability provider if you have questions or if you are concerned about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

You can ask someone to be with you when you are vaccinated. This could be a:

• support worker
• family member
• carer
• friend.

COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

COVID-19 vaccines protect you against getting very sick or dying from COVID-19. However, protection gets weaker over time. Some people need regular vaccinations to protect them.

See who needs regular vaccinations

For carers, family members, guardians and providers

The Carer Gateway also has information on COVID-19 and vaccinations.

We have published a COVID-19 fact sheet for disability providers.

Contacts