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 older can get vaccinated against COVID-19 – for free.
Currently, children aged 5 years old can get vaccinated with the children’s version of Pfizer.
Some children aged 6 months to 4 years are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine if they:
- are severely immunocompromised
- have disability
- have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19.
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.
To find out where to book your next vaccination visit the health Service Finder.
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 to protect yourself and others in your community.
Encourage your family, your elders and your community to get vaccinated so that they are protected from getting really sick with 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 health Service 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.
All adults can get a booster if it’s been 6 months or longer since their last COVID-19 booster or confirmed infection (whichever is most recent) for additional protection against severe illness from COVID.
This is particularly recommended for people at higher risk of severe illness, including:
- everyone 65 years and over
- everyone 18 years and over with medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs.
Children and young people aged 5 to 17 years can get a booster dose if:
- they have a health condition that put them at risk of severe illness, and
- if it’s been 6 months since their last dose or COVID-19 infection.
Your doctor can help you decide if your child should receive a booster.
Booster doses are not recommended at this time for children and adolescents under 18 years of age who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.
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 usually 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
