Getting the Covid-19 vaccination

13 August 2021
  • 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.
  • 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.

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