COVID-19 services

Frequently asked questions

• Which COVID-19 vaccines are available in Australia?

  There are currently 4 approved COVID-19 vaccines for use in Australia:

  1. Pfizer/Comirnaty vaccine
  2. AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria vaccine
  3. Moderna/Spikevax vaccine
  4. Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
• Who is eligible and what is the dose schedule for a COVID-19 vaccination?

  For the primary schedule, people aged:

  6 months and over can have the Pfizer vaccine

  • For most people the Pfizer primary course is 2 doses, 8 weeks apart.
  • For children aged 6 months to under 5 years, the primary course is 3 doses, 8 weeks apart.

  12 years and over can have the Spikevax (Moderna) and the Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccine.

  • For most people the Moderna primary course is 2 doses, 8 weeks apart.
  • For most people the Novavax primary course is 2 doses, given 8 weeks apart.

  60 years and over can have the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) vaccine. 18 to 59 years can also have the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) vaccine, however, will be required to have an assessment of suitability by a general practitioner

  • For most people the AstraZeneca primary course is 2 doses, 4 to 12 weeks apart.

  A primary vaccination course consists of 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. A third primary dose is the recommendation for people aged 6 months or older who are severely immunocompromised or have a disability with significant or complex health needs.

  The booster dose is given 3 months or more after the primary course and is for people aged:

  18 years and over, the recommendation is to have the Pfizer vaccine or Moderna Bivalent vaccine, regardless of which brand of vaccine you received for your primary vaccination course.

  5 to 17 years, the recommendation is to have the Pfizer vaccine, regardless of which brand of vaccine you received for your primary vaccination course.

  18 years and over, while not preferred, you can receive the AstraZeneca or Novavax vaccine

  This booster dose will be the fourth dose for people who are severely immunocompromised, since the recommendation for this group is to receive 3 primary doses.

  The 2023 booster dose is given 6 months after you receive your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) and is for people who are:

  • Aged 18 years or older
  • A resident of an aged-care or disability-care facility
  • ATAGI advises that children and adolescents aged 5-17 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs should consider a 2023 booster dose. Please call to make an appointment with your GP to discuss the 2023 booster.

  If you are aged 16 to 17 years, you can only have the Pfizer vaccine as your winter booster dose.

  If you are aged 18 years and over, the Pfizer or Moderna Bivalent vaccines are the preferred vaccines.

  If you are severely immunocompromised, this additional booster dose will be a fifth dose since the recommendation for this group is to receive 3 primary doses.

• What booster is available at the Health Service?

  The Health Service, University of Melbourne, is administering the Comirnaty (Pfizer) and the Spikevax (Moderna) Bivalent as boosters. Regardless of which COVID-19 vaccine you received for your initial doses, you can still receive one of these as your booster.

• I’ve tested positive to COVID. Do I still need a booster and if so, when can I get it?

  A booster vaccination is still highly recommended, even if you have tested positive to COVID and have had a two-dose primary vaccine course. Depending on how many vaccines you have received will determine how long you are required to wait before receiving your booster. Please call to make an appointment with your GP to discuss.

• What are the side effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination?

  The TGA report that most side effects are mild and go away within a couple of days.

  For details on possible side effects for each vaccine, please see:

  • Comirnaty (Pfizer)
  • Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca)
  • Spikevax (Moderna)
  • Nuvaxovid (Novavax).
• What is required before making a COVID-19 vaccination appointment?

  If you are a domestic student or staff member and are registered or eligible for Medicare, please make sure your details are up to date with Medicare. You can do this using either your:

  • Medicare online account through myGov
  • the Express Plus Medicare app
  • calling the Medicare program

  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.

  If you are an overseas student or staff member and not eligible for Medicare, you will need to obtain an Individual Health Identifier (IHI) to receive your COVID-19 vaccine as well as other vaccines, including the flu vaccine.
  
  Please click to get an Individual Health Identifier (IHI).

• Is the booster mandatory?

  Boosters are not mandatory, though it is highly recommended to have the 2023 dose to maintain best possible protection for you, your loved ones and the community against the virus and any new emerging strains.

• How can I book my child in for their COVID-19 vaccination?

  The Health Service, University of Melbourne, is not currently offering COVID-19 vaccinations for children. Please check the Government website for information regarding providers.

• What is an Individual Health Identifier (IHI) and do I need one?

  Although it is no longer a requirement to have an IHI number to receive a COVID-19 vaccination it is beneficial as it will allow you access to your COVID-19 immunisation statement via the myGov website. If you are not eligible for Medicare, e.g. you are an international student on a visa, then you can get an Individual Health Identifier (IHI).

  To find out how to setup a myGov account if you require assistance with access to your vaccination record.

• How much does the COVID-19 vaccine cost?

  COVID-19 vaccines will be free for everyone living in Australia including citizens, permanent residents and most visa-holders. Those on visitor visas, electronic travel authority, eVisitor and Transit visas are currently excluded.

  You will not need a prescription from a GP to get vaccinated.

  If you have a Medicare card, please bring it with you.

• Can I get my flu vaccine (or any other vaccine) at the same time as my COVID-19 vaccine?

  Yes, you can have other vaccines at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccine. Please speak to your health care provider for any further information.

• Where can I go for more information about COVID-19 vaccines?

  For the latest news and information about vaccines in Australia, visit the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine website.

• How do I upload my overseas COVID vaccination record to the Australian Government?

  If you are a Melbourne University student or staff member, please make an in-person appointment with one of our GPs. You will be required to bring a hard copy of your official vaccination record (translated to English) provided by your Country, that will state the COVID vaccination you were given along with the date your vaccination was administered and the batch number.  You will also be required to bring your passport for verifying your identity.

  Please ensure you have your Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) number as we cannot upload your vaccinations to the Australian Government without one.

• How to get proof of my COVID vaccinations?

  There are 5 ways you can show your COVID-19 proof of vaccination to gain entry to businesses and venues in Victoria.

  • COVID-19 digital certificate via the Service Victoria app
  • COVID-19 digital certificate saved to a smartphone wallet
  • Printed copy of COVID-19 digital certificate
  • Printed copy of immunisation history statement
  • Eligible proof of vaccination exemption

  Please click on this link for detailed instructions.