COVID Vaccine
Book your COVID vaccine and ask in store for your flu vaccine at the same time!
The COVID-19 vaccine can be co-administered with other vaccines, including an influenza vaccine and routine childhood and adolescent vaccines. ATAGI advises that there are no minimum intervals between COVID-19 vaccination and other routine vaccination.
Here at Advantage Pharmacy Falcon we are now taking bookings for the Novovax, Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines help to protect our community against coronavirus by preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. The vaccines are free for everyone in Australia.
An additional booster dose, known as the fourth dose, is now available to people 30 years and older. This may be a fifth dose for some people. If you have had COVID-19, wait at least 3 months before getting your next dose.
What is COVID-19 vaccine?
Vaccines stimulate the body’s natural defences to strengthen the immune system response to a condition or illness. Vaccines use inactivated or severely weakened pathogens such as viruses or bacteria to trick the immune system into producing antibodies. After receiving a viral vaccine, the body’s immune system recognises and remembers the virus.
If you should be exposed to the virus later, your immune system can fight off an infection more effectively because it has already produced antibodies to the virus.
The development of an effective vaccine for COVID-19 has been a global public health challenge. The race continues to manufacture and distribute effective and safe vaccines to billions of people.
On 25th January 2021, the TGA granted provisional approval to Pfizer Australia for its COVID-19 vaccine, COMIRNATY.
On the 16th February 2021, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval to AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The approval meant that the vaccine had met the high standards of safety, effectiveness and quality required for use in Australia.
On the 3rd September 2021, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval to Moderna for individuals aged 12 years and over.
On the 17th of February 2022, the Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccine has been provisionally approved for adults in Australia after meeting the TGA's high standards for quality, safety and effectiveness.
How is a COVID-19 vaccine approved?
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is responsible for assessing all COVID-19 vaccines before they can be used in Australia. Before a vaccine is approved for use in Australia, it must pass the TGA’s rigorous assessment and approval processes. This includes assessment of its safety, quality and effectiveness. The TGA formally evaluates vaccines in multiple stages, and seeks out further information and clarification
Over the past couple of months, many of you would have heard conflicting reports regarding the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Here are some facts you might want to know:
Vaccination remains the best way to protect against severe illness and death from COVID-19
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is continuing to monitor local and international data on the rare and new condition that occurs after AstraZenca COVID-19 vaccine called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).
Vaccine Rollout
Advantage Pharmacy are happy to provide Novavax, Pfizer, AstraZeneca & Moderna COVID-19 immunisation for our local area and wider community. COVID-19 vaccines help to protect our community against coronavirus by preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. The vaccines are free for everyone in Australia.
Novovax, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna have been approved by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration). Each vaccine is given as a shot in the upper arm, and both require two doses.
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children aged 5 – 11 Years
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program will be extended to all children aged 5 to 11 from 10 January 2022 after the Australian Government accepted recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
A new formulation of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) is available for use in children aged 5-11 years by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Children aged 5-11 years who have previously had COVID-19 infection can receive the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
This is recommended following recovery from their illness or vaccination can be deferred for up to 6 months.
The recommended schedule for vaccination in this age group is 2 doses, 8 weeks apart.
The interval can be shortened in special circumstances to a minimum of 3 weeks, such as in an outbreak response, prior to the initiation of significant immunosuppression or international travel.
Children who turn 12 after their first dose may receive the adolescent/adult formation of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to complete their primary vaccine course.
COVID-19 Boosters
An additional booster dose, known as the fourth dose, is now available to people 30 years and older. This may be a fifth dose for some people. If you have had COVID-19, wait at least 3 months before getting your next dose.
You are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose if:
you are 18 years and older, or 30 years and older for the fourth dose.
have had your second dose of your primary dose course of COVID-19 vaccination at least 3 months ago, irrespective of the vaccine brand used for their primary course.
The date you had your second dose of vaccine is on your COVID-19 digital certificate.
A booster dose is not currently recommended for people aged under 18 years, and there are currently no vaccines approved for use as a booster in this age group.
What are the benefits of COVID-19 Boosters?
Two doses of COVID-19 vaccine provide a good protection, further booster doses ensure the protection from the first dose is even stronger and longer lasting. The booster dose will increase your protection against infection with the virus and prevent severe illness if you should catch the virus.
What are the potential side effects after receiving my booster?
Common, mild side effects following a booster dose look like the side effects following the first 2 doses. The following are common adverse effects:
site pain
fatigue
headache
muscle pain and chills
COVID-19 vaccinations are voluntary and free.
Before your vaccination appointment, you should make sure your details are up to date with Medicare.
If you don’t have your account set up, you can:
enrol in Medicare, if you’re not already enrolled
set up your Medicare online account if you’re enrolled in Medicare, but don’t have Medicare linked to myGov or
get an Individual Health Identifier (IHI), if you’re not eligible for Medicare
You can also read this patient factsheet developed by the Australian Government Department of Health:
If you don’t have a Medicare card, or are not eligible for Medicare, you can get your free vaccination at a Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic or a state or territory vaccination clinic. More information is available on the Department of Health website here.
Please do not come to your vaccination appointment:
if you are feeling unwell with fever, cough, runny nose or other symptoms that could be from COVID-19
if you are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or have tested positive for COVID-19
if you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or
if you are in quarantine
If you have had another vaccine in the 7 days before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, please let us know as we may need to reschedule your appointment.
If you cannot make it to your vaccination appointment, please contact us as soon as possible to arrange a new appointment.
You may have other questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, please see our frequently asked questions page HERE.
What should I do whilst I wait for my COVID-19 vaccine?
Whether you are vaccinated or not, there are things you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. You must:
stay 1.5 metres away from other people and avoid handshakes and contact with people outside your household
stay home if you feel unwell and get tested for COVID-19.
wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitiser
always cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue and put the tissue in the bin straight away
download the COVIDSafe app to help health officials let you know if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit health.gov.au HERE