- metadata: - source: https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/vaccination-information/covid-19-vaccination/about-COVID-19-vaccines --- # About COVID-19 vaccines | Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Last Updated: 16 Dec 2021 8:52pm --- ## **COVID-19 vaccines in Tasmania** Everyone living in Tasmania aged 12 years and over is eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine. Three vaccines have been approved for use in Australia. | **Vaccine brand** | **When you should get your second dose** | **Age you can get the vaccine** | **Where to get it** | | ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | | Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine | 3 weeks after your first dose | People aged 12 years and over | State-run clinic, GP, or pharmacy | | Moderna (Spikevax) vaccine | 4 weeks after your first dose | People aged 12 years and over | Pharmacy | | AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine | 12 weeks after your first dose | People aged 60 years and over | GP or pharmacy | You will need two doses of the vaccine. The intervals recommended above give the greatest protection against COVID-19. Find out more about where to get vaccinated by visiting [Book Your Vaccine](http://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/booking). ## **Learn more about the vaccines** Pfizer vaccine factsheets: - [Information about the Pfizer vaccine](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-comirnaty-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine) - [After your Pfizer vaccine](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-comirnaty-pfizer-vaccine) Moderna vaccine factsheets: - [Information about the Moderna vaccine](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-spikevax-moderna-covid-19-vaccine) - [After your Moderna vaccine](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-spikevax-moderna-vaccine) AstraZeneca vaccine factsheets: - [Information about the AstraZeneca vaccine](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-covid-19-astrazeneca-vaccine) - [After your AstraZeneca vaccine](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-astrazeneca-vaccine) ## **Benefits of vaccination** Being vaccinated reduces your risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. By getting a COVID vaccine you can help protect yourself, your community, and Tasmania from COVID-19. The more people who are vaccinated, the more we can reduce the health, social and economic impacts of COVID. Every dose of vaccine makes a difference. ## **Vaccines are safe and effective** Before COVID-19 vaccines are used in Australia, they must pass strict safety standards set by Australia's independent medicines regulator, the [Therapeutic Goods Administration](https://www.tga.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines) (TGA). The TGA is also continuing to rigorously monitor the safety of these vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines being used in Australia have been used by hundreds of millions of people around the world. These vaccines are very effective at preventing infection with COVID-19, and serious illness from COVID-19, including new variants of COVID-19. Learn more about the [safety of COVID-19 vaccines](https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/approved-vaccines/safety-side-effects). ## **Boosters and third doses** Booster vaccines are recommended for all people aged 18 and over. You can get a booster vaccine five months after your second dose of the vaccine. Boosters are recommended to maintain protection and immunity against COVID-19. A third primary dose of vaccination is recommended for people who are severely immunocompromised as part of their primary course of vaccination because they might not be fully protected by the regular two doses of a vaccine. A third primary dose is different to a booster vaccine and should be given between two and six months after their second dose of the vaccine. For more information visit [Boosters and Third Primary Doses](https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/vaccination-information/covid-19-vaccination/where-to-get-a-vaccine/boosters-and-third-primary-doses). ## **Proof of vaccination** [You can access a free record of vaccination or a COVID-19 digital certificate online via MyGov through your Medicare or My Health Record  account.](https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/) For step-by-step help to get your vaccination record or COVID-19 digital certificate, visit the [Services Australia ](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/) website. If you need more help or can’t get online, ring the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809. [For more information about accessing your immunisation history or showing you’ve received the vaccine through myGov, visit Services Australia .](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/getting-help-during-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/how-get-proof-your-covid-19-vaccinations) ## **Mandatory vaccination** Generally, the vaccination program is voluntary, but there are many locations, venues and events where being fully vaccinated is a condition of entry and some employment settings where the vaccine is mandatory. For more information about **mandatory vaccination** including details of any exemptions that may apply, visit [Business and employees.](https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/business-and-employees) ## **Vaccine side effects** These are some common reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations that are generally mild and on average last a day or two. These common side effects include: - pain where you had the injection - tiredness - muscle aches - headache - fever and chills - joint pain. Serious side effects such as severe allergic reactions (or anaphylaxis) are extremely rare. ### Reporting symptoms following vaccination Reporting your symptoms after a vaccination helps ensure COVID-19 vaccines are delivered as safely as possible in Tasmania. You can report your symptoms following vaccination to the Department of Health, Tasmania by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or emailing a completed form ([Word](https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0025/146059/AEFI_Report_Form_Public.docx) and [PDF](https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/146057/AEFI-Report-Form.pdf)) to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Contact your doctor or healthcare provider if you have severe symptoms, symptoms that are not going away after a few days, or are otherwise concerned about side effects. ### **Your options if you are worried about side effects** - Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider - Check your side effects using the [Australian Government Department of Health Side Effect Checker](https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19-vaccine-side-effect-checker) - Call the Australian Government Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 020 080 (available 24 hours a day) - Call 000 if you have difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, are wheezing, or are otherwise seriously unwell. ### **The Pfizer vaccine and rare heart conditions** Two very rare heart conditions (pericarditis or myocarditis) may occur in a small group of people who receive the Pfizer vaccine. This appears to occur more commonly in men under the age of 30 years old, and after the second dose. The benefits of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in protecting against COVID-19 greatly outweigh the rare risk of these conditions. After your Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, talk to your doctor immediately if: - You have an expected side effect of the vaccine which has not gone away after a few days. - You feel pain or pressure in your chest. - It hurts when you breathe. - You find it hard to take deep breaths. - You have an irregular heartbeat, skipped beats or 'fluttering' feelings in your chest. For more on [cardiac side effects after COVID-19 vaccination](https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/cardiac-side-effects-and-covid-19). ### **The AstraZeneca vaccine and a rare blood clotting condition** A very rare and unusual blood clotting and low platelet count condition (thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS) may occur in a small group of people who get the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The condition affects about one out of every 100,000 people after the first dose and can be diagnosed rapidly and effectively treated. The symptoms mostly start between 4 and 20 days after vaccination. After your AstraZeneca vaccine, talk to your doctor immediately if: - You have an expected side effect of the vaccine that has not gone away after a few days - You have any of the following symptoms, particularly between 4 and 42 days after vaccination: - A headache that keeps coming back. It might: - be mild or strong - be present beyond 48 hours after vaccination, or come later than 48 hours after vaccination - feel worse when you lie down - go away for a little while when you take pain relief like paracetamol, but then it comes back - Nausea or vomiting. - Blurred vision, difficulty speaking, drowsiness or confusion, or seizures. - Abdominal (belly) pain that won't go away. - Shortness of breath or chest pain. - Lower limb pain, redness or swelling. - Tiny blood spots under the skin away from the area where the injection was received. For more information about [AstraZeneca vaccine and TTS](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/patient-information-sheet-on-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-and-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-tts).