People five years of age and older can get vaccinated in Tasmania. Vaccination is not compulsory except for workers in high risk settings such as hospitals, aged care facilities and medical settings. See Get Started for more about vaccination requirements.
The vaccine you can get depends on your age.
For children aged 5 to 11, Paediatric Pfizer is available.
For children aged 12 – 18, Pfizer and Moderna are available.
For people who are 18 and over, the available vaccines are Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax.
For people over 60, Astra Zeneca is available.
Boosters/winter dose:
Booster vaccines are available to anyone 16 and over who has had their second dose of vaccine more than three months ago.
Boosters are also available to 12-15 year olds who had their primary vaccination 3 or more months ago and who:
– are severely immunocompromised;
– have a disability with significant or complex health needs;
– have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19.
Pfizer is the only booster vaccine 12-15 year olds are eligible for.
As of the 11th of July, everyone over 30 who had their booster 3 months or more before can get a winter or fourth dose (2nd booster) shot. It is recommended for people aged 50-64, and those aged 30-49 can also get it, although the benefit for people in this age group is less certain. And if you haven’t had a flu shot yet, you can get it at the same time.
Where to go:
State-run community clinics, GPs or participating pharmacies (note: pharmacies are not able to vaccinate children aged 5 – 11). See Get Started for a link to clinic locations in your area.
What to expect on the day:
You can bring someone along to support you or your child on the day, such as a family member or support worker. There are forms to fill out, including a consent form. You may prefer to complete these beforehand and bring them along to your appointment. See Get Started for a link to My Immunisation Action Plan for more information and tips about what to expect on the day.
Once you or your child have been vaccinated, you will be asked to wait for 15 to 30 minutes, so staff can be sure you are OK and have not had a reaction to the vaccine.
Additional Support:
State-run vaccination clinics may be able to offer additional support for people with disability, including:
– Wheelchair access;
– Low sensory or private space;
– Fast track priority access and Early Bird vaccination appointment times;
– Auslan interpreters;
– Trained staff;
– Pain relief options including topical anaesthetic (numbing) cream and BUZZY* bee.
Tasmanian Public Health have vaccination clinical nurse consultants, who can help develop an Immunisation Plan to help you and your child have an optimal experience while getting vaccinated. Call the Public Health hotline on 1800 671 738 and ask to speak to a clinical nurse consultant to discuss your or your child’s specific needs.
*BUZZY is a small vibrating bee with blue ice-pack wings, and helps block sharp pain and provide a distraction.
***UPDATE 17 May 2022***
The Tasmanian Vaccination Emergency Operations Centre (TVEOC) has advised that they are offering limited in-home COVID-19 vaccination services for people who are unable to leave their homes. Quiet appointments are also available in most clinics.
Please note that in-home vaccination is a limited service, and that if an individual can access a state-run clinic, GP, or pharmacy, that is the recommended option.
To request a quiet appointment, please email tasvax.clinical@health.tas.gov.au with the following information:
– patient’s first and last name;
– patient’s date of birth;
– which vaccine # is needed (1st, 2nd, 3rd);
– date of last vaccine;
– if the person has had COVID-19 in the past three months;
– any allergies;
– contact phone number.
To request a discussion of the in-home vaccination service and its suitability for an individual, please email tasvax.clinical@health.tas.gov.au with the following information:
– patient’s first and last name;
– patient’s date of birth;
– which vaccine # is needed (1st, 2nd, 3rd);
– date of last vaccine;
– if the person has had COVID-19 in the past three months;
– any allergies;
– location (Address);
– why the person needs in-home vaccination;
– contact phone number.
For any queries, please contact tasvax.clinical@health.tas.gov.au
Consent:
It is your choice whether or not to get the COVID-19 vaccine. When you go to have your vaccine you will be asked for your consent. They can tell you about the vaccine, what will happen when you have it, answer any questions you may have and give you information about it. You can also ask your doctor about vaccination.
You can indicate consent using: verbal language, sign language, you can use pictures or sign a consent form. If you can’t give consent, someone who is allowed to make decisions for you can come with and give consent on your behalf (such as a person responsible or a guardian).
Side effects:
Serious side effects from COVID-19 vaccination are rare. Many people experience common side effects such as pain or swelling at the injection site, fever, tiredness, headaches or chills.
If you notice serious side effects it’s important to get medical attention quickly. Serious side effects include severe or persistent headache, blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent abdominal pain, leg swelling, unusual skin bruising and/or tiny blood spots or any other symptoms that are severe and persistent.
If you or anyone in your household get any of these serious side effects, it is important to call 000 straight away and get help.
Talk to your doctor if you are worried about a side effect, or aren’t sure if it is serious or not.
Exemptions:
If you or your child can’t get any of the approved COVID-19 vaccines for medical reasons, your doctor will need to update your vaccination status on the Australian Immunisation Register. Your immunisation History Statement will then be proof of exemption and can be added to your mobile device or Check in TAS app.
You can also ask your doctor about a medical certificate as evidence you or your child can’t get vaccinated.
GET STARTED
Think about where you and your family would prefer to be vaccinated. At your doctor or pharmacy, or at a state-run clinic? Some pharmacists will come to your home to vaccinate (people 12 and over only), so ask around your local area for a pharmacist who will do this if this is the most appropriate way for you.
Take a look at the Where to get a vaccine on the Tasmanian government’s coronavirus website.
You can make a booking for state-run community clinics by phoning 1800 671 738
How to make a booking Public Health hotline or book online.
Do you need Additional support on the day? Take a look at the additional support offered at state-run clinics on the coronavirus website’s Information for people with disability or special requirements page.
Concerned about possible side effects? Have a look at this handy fact sheet – COVID-19 Vaccines Possible Side Effects.
For a list of workers for whom vaccination is mandatory, check out Vaccination Requirements on the coronavirus website.
Prepare for vaccination day. Use the 2022 – My Immunisation Plan to help, think about how you will hold and reassure your child. Talking to children in soothing, gentle tones often helps to reduce any anxiety they may have.
This Easy read guide What to expect when you have your vaccination might be useful to help you prepare yourself and your child.
Also take a look at this handy visual chart my-coronavirus-vaccination-easy-read-my-coronavirus-vaccination.
And for strategies to help manage needle phobia, see information-for-family-and-carers-supporting-a-person-with-needle-phobia.
Check it this great parent story written by a mother about her experience having her daughter who lives with disability vaccinated. 
And for more information about consenting to vaccination, take a look at this useful fact sheet Giving your consent.
ACTION STEPS
Here you can find a simple list of the best actions to take if you are interested in this topic:
1 .
Make a plan that you think is most likely to meet your child’s needs. If booking at a state-run clinic, speak to the nurse consultant. If you or your child prefer a familiar environment, think about getting your regular GP to do the vaccination.
2 .
Dress appropriately so the vaccinator has clear and easy access to the upper arm.
3 .
Take along a support worker or other trusted person to help.
4 .
Apply numbing cream one hour before the appointment if appropriate for your child. You can wrap their arm in cling wrap to keep the cream on. Community clinics may also have BUZZY bee, so ask if this is the case when you go along.
5 .
Fill out paperwork beforehand. Write down any questions you might want to ask on the day, or anything you need to inform staff about your child, but keep it short if your child is with you, as long conversations beforehand can make children nervous.
6 .
Think about distraction techniques, maybe using a favourite toy or a small gift or surprise.
7 .
Arrive on time, and if appropriate, alert clinic staff that your child needs additional support.
8 .
If your child needs or likes to be held while having their vaccination, be prepared with a comfort hold that you and your child prefer.
9 .
Be prepared to wait 15 minutes afterwards, so staff can make sure you or child haven’t had a reaction. Take along books or activities to help pass the time.
10 .
Monitor for side effects and call 000 immediately if you or your child have any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, fainting, seizures or chest pain.