CID wrote this during COVID lockdowns.

Some of this information has changed now.

This is still on our website to show what CID was doing during COVID lockdowns.

What is a vaccine

A vaccine

• helps fight a virus if you come in contact
  with it
• can stop you from getting very sick from
  the virus

A vaccination is when you get an injection of a vaccine.

This is done with a needle.

Some people call this a jab.

The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe way to protect

• you
• your family
• the community

The COVID-19 vaccination is free.

There are two injections.

You have them on separate days.

You can choose to have the vaccination.

But you can also choose not to have it if you do not want to.

The first people who will get it are more at risk of

• catching the virus
• getting very sick if they catch the virus

These are called priority groups.
To find out if you are in a priority group you can talk to

• your doctor
• the people who support you.

Having the vaccination

You might want to talk to your doctor before you have your COVID-19 vaccination.

Your doctor can answer any questions you have.

When you go to get your vaccination they will ask you for your consent to have

• the COVID-19 vaccination today
• a second dose of the vaccine later

Consent is saying it is ok for someone to do something.

You can bring someone you trust with you to your vaccination such as a

• family member
• friend
• support worker or carer

The person who will give you the vaccination is trained.

The vaccination will be given by a needle usually in your upper arm.

They will ask you to wait a little while before you leave to make sure you are ok.

Which vaccine can I get?

You can’t choose which vaccine you receive.

The type of vaccine you will receive depends on

• how old you are
• what your doctor says
• what is available in your area.

Where can you get the COVID-19 vaccination?

At the moment there are different places that offer vaccinations for people with intellectual disability

• At your home
• At your doctor
• At a vaccination centre
• At a pharmacy
• At a pop up clinic

If you live in a house with 2 or more people with disability

• Your GP or a vaccination team can come to your home.
• You can go to a vaccination clinic
• You can go to your doctor.

Talk to your disability service to let them know you want to get vaccinated.

How to book an appointment?

You can book an appointment

• At a vaccination centre or pharmacy
• At your GP

At a vaccination centre or pharmacy 

• You can use the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker on the Healthdirect Australia website.The Eligibility Checker is an online form.You will have to answer some questions about yourself.At the end of the form you will find a list of vaccination clinics you can go to.

• You can go to a vaccination clinic.You can find vaccination clinics in NSW using the Astra-Zeneca vaccine.You can contact the COVID-19 Vaccination Program dedicated hotline for a Pfizer vaccine on 1800 571 155.

• You can also contact the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 1800 020 080.

At your GP

Contact your GP and ask them if they are giving vaccinations.

If they are not they can tell you where you can go.

Talk to your disability service to let them know you want to get vaccinated.

They will help you book your apportionment.

More information

You can visit the Department of Health website where there are lots of Easy Read resources

You can call the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787.

You can call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.