COVID-19 can be dangerous, especially for our elders and people with existing medical conditions. Vaccines help reduce the spread and severity of the virus.
Who can get vaccinated
Everyone 5 years and over can get vaccinated against COVID-19 for free. For more information about who can get vaccinated, and what vaccine they should get, look at the When to get your COVID-19 vaccination infographic.
From 05 September 2022, some children aged 6 months to 4 years who are severely immunocompromised, have disability, or have complex and/or multiple health conditions will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
More information on when bookings open on the Vaccine Clinic Finder will be available later this month. Please don’t contact your healthcare worker or vaccination provider yet.
Currently, children aged 5 years old can get vaccinated with the children’s version of Pfizer. From 05 September 2022 they will also be eligible for the children’s version of Moderna.
View text description and larger image of 'COVID-19 vaccination – When to get your COVID-19 vaccination (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)' graphic
Why you should get vaccinated
Vaccines protect you, your family, elders and community from getting really sick with, or even dying from COVID-19
Having a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way of protecting yourself and others in your community.
Encourage your family, your elders and your community to get vaccinated so that they are protected from COVID-19.
If you're anxious about getting vaccinated have a yarn with your healthcare worker.
[Background song with words in Yolngu Matha and English]
For our past, for our future, for all of us, let's get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Where to get vaccinated
There are many sites across Australia where the vaccines are available. A lot of them are in rural and remote locations.
You can find them by:
- yarning to your local healthcare worker
- using the online vaccine clinic finder to find your nearest clinic
- calling the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
Vaccination is your choice
COVID-19 can be serious and cause long-term health problems. It is strongly recommended you get vaccinated to protect yourself and your community.
Your Centrelink payments will not be affected whether you choose to get vaccinated or not.
Side effects
Most people experience only mild side effects such as:
- tiredness
- pain where they had their needle
- headaches.
These go away within a couple of days.
Other side effects are very rare. You should talk to your healthcare worker if you are worried about any side effects.
For details on what has been reported for each vaccine, see:
In-language and English resources
COVID-19 vaccination – Communication materials for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Resources for providers and stakeholders
COVID-19 vaccination – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander vaccine provider resources
COVID-19 vaccination – Stakeholder kit for businesses and organisations
Implementation plan
We created an implementation plan for the COVID-19 vaccination program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
You can track the progress of the rollout in our weekly report. It lists the percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 and over who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, by geographic regions.
