Pre vaccination

Having a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is one way we can protect our community against coronavirus. COVID-19 vaccines help to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19, and they are free for everyone in Australia. Medical Professionals Dapto is pleased to advise that we are an approved vaccination provider for COVID-19 vaccines. As the Australian Government is staggering the roll-out of vaccinations, we will not receive our vaccinations until mid-April 2021. Our vaccinations will be in limited supply and therefore we will be providing COVID-19 immunisations by appointment to our most vulnerable patients in the first instance.

To find out if you are eligible to receive the vaccine now, visit https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility and complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker. We will advise patients when our vaccination stock has been delivered.

Preparing for your vaccination

Before your vaccination appointment, you should make sure your details are up to date with Medicare.

If you don’t have your account set up, you can:

You can also read this patient factsheet developed by the Australian Government Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-preparing-for-covid-19-vaccination.

Please do not come to your vaccination appointment:

  • if you are feeling unwell with fever, cough, runny nose or other symptoms that could be from COVID-19
  • if you are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or have tested positive for COVID-19
  • if you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or
  • if you are in quarantine.

If you have had another vaccine, for example the influenza vaccination, in the 14 days before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Please let us know as we may need to reschedule your appointment.

To keep you and our community safe, before and after vaccination, it is important that you continue to:

  • Stay 1.5 metres away from other people and avoid handshakes and contact with people outside your household.
  • Stay home if you feel unwell and get tested for COVID-19. You must stay at home until your results come back.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitiser.
  • Always cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue and put the tissue in the bin straight away.
  • Download the COVIDSafe app to help health officials let you know if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit www.health.gov.au. Please also see:

Post vaccination

After receiving any vaccine, you may experience minor side effects. Most side effects are mild and last no more than a few days.

Common reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations include:

  • a sore arm
  • headache
  • low level fever
  • muscle pain
  • chills
  • tiredness, or
  • joint pain.

You can use the COVID-19 vaccine side effects symptom checker if you have concerns about any symptoms after your vaccine. The checker is also available through the National Coronavirus Helpline, 1800 020 080, 24 hours a day.

Who to contact regarding side effects

You can ask your doctor for specific advice about side effects. If you think a COVID-19 vaccine has caused a side effect, you can report it. Reports of suspected side effects help the TGA monitor COVID-19 vaccine safety. Visit the TGA website to find out how.

Post vaccination resources

The Department of Health has developed resources about what you can expect after your vaccination. You can access these resources here:
Patient resource – After your COVID-19 (AstraZeneca) vaccination

For more COVID-19 vaccine related resources, visit the Department of Health website.