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Receiving your COVID-19 Vaccine
Once you've confirmed your eligibility and booked your appointment, here is some information to help you prepare for your first COVID-19 vaccine.
Receiving your COVID-19 Vaccine
Once you have confirmed your eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booked your appointment at one of the Our Medical centres, you will receive a text message confirming your appointment. The following information will help you prepare for your appointment.
Do I need to bring anything with me to the appointment?
In addition to your Medicare card, if you have met the criteria to have the vaccine based on your age, please bring proof of age to the first appointment – e.g. drivers license, passport, pensioners card etc
If you have met the criteria to have the vaccine based on a chronic condition or illness, you will need to complete a declaration form prior to receiving the vaccine. This applies to existing and new patients of Our Medical Penrith, and new patients only of all other Our Medical locations.
If you have met the criteria because you’re a healthcare worker, carer or disability worker, you will need employment ID, a letter from your employer or to complete a declaration form prior to receiving the vaccine.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders need to self-identify to receive the vaccine and show proof of age if applicable.
Department of Health resources
More information is available in the Department of Health's:
Two Doses for Maximum Efficacy
To create the most effective protection and maximise broader community coverage, you should ensure that you receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. In the case of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine, these doses will be twelve weeks apart. In the case of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines, these doses will be three weeks apart.
It is still important to also have your flu vaccine in 2021. Our Medical offers free flu vaccines every day, without the need for an appointment. You will need to allow 1 week between received your COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine.
Side effects of COVID-19 Vaccine
Some of the common side effects of COVID-19 vaccine are:
- Muscle pain
- Chills and fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Pain and swelling at the injection site
- Joint pain
- Redness at the injection site
- Nausea
You may only experience mild effects which disappear quickly. In the event you do experience any of the side effects, you can take these steps:
- Apply a cold pack with light pressure to help relieve pain at the injection site.
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen are not routinely recommended to be taken post COVID-19 vaccination. However, they can be taken to alleviate pain and swelling, if required
If you are worried about a suspected side effect, seek advice from your doctor.
If your condition is severe, go to your local Emergency Department immediately.
If you have had a COVID-19 vaccination and think you may be experiencing side-effects, you can find out what to do next through the Health Direct website
