Is it true?
The following link has been published by SEPHU referring people to the government’s ‘Is it true?’ content, which covers some of fears out there at the moment. It includes topics such as:
- does the vaccine cause clots?
- will it give me covid?
- will it change my DNA?
- were the vaccines rushed?
- will they cause infertility etc
https://sephu.org/is-it-true-your-vaccination-questions-answ
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are frequently asked questions and their answers provided by the Department of Health on the 8th of August 2021.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Side effects
| I’ve had the AstraZeneca vaccine – what are the symptoms or serious side effects I should watch for? | There is a very rare risk of serious side effects that can cause blood clots after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. This condition is known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).
After your AstraZeneca vaccine, watch for the following symptoms: • a severe persistent headache that: – appears at least four days after vaccination – does not improve with simple pain medications – may be worse when lying down – may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting • persistent abdominal (belly) pain • blurred vision • difficulty speaking • drowsiness (feeling really tired) • seizures • shortness of breath • chest pain • swelling in your leg • tiny blood spots under the skin away from the area the injection was received. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Tell the doctor you have recently had the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. When diagnosed early, there are effective treatments available and many people recover without long term impacts. For more information about thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/thrombosis-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-tts |
| I’ve had the Pfizer vaccine – what are the symptoms of serious side effects I should watch for? | There is a very rare risk of serious side effects that can impact your heart after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. These conditions are called myocarditis or pericarditis.
After your Pfizer vaccine, watch for the following symptoms in the days after your vaccine: • chest pain, pressure or discomfort • irregular heartbeat, skipped beats or ‘fluttering’ • fainting • shortness of breath • pain with breathing. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Tell the doctor you have recently had a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. When diagnosed early, there are effective treatments available and many people recover without long term impacts. |
Communities
Children and young people
| Is the vaccine safe for children? | The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children aged over 12 years old.
More young people will become eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as the vaccine rollout continues and more people are able to get vaccinated. Currently young people aged 12 years and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine if they have an underlying medical condition or if they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. Some young people can get a COVID-19 vaccine if they are aged 16 years or older. View a full list of who is currently eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine visit who can get vaccinated. |
| Will children aged under 18 years with chronic health conditions be vaccinated? | Yes, young people aged 12 years and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine if they have an underlying medical condition.
To view who is currently eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, visit who can get vaccinated. |
| Can young people aged under 18 years with a disability be vaccinated? | NDIS participants aged 16 years and over and carers (unpaid and informal) aged 16 years and over of NDIS participants of any age are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. |
| Which COVID-19 vaccine will young people receive? | Only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for young people aged 12-18 years. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the recommended vaccine.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has only been approved for people aged over 18 years. |
| Have clinical trials been conducted to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are safe for children? | Yes, the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) has carefully evaluated the evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine for young people. This evidence includes clinical studies with young people aged 12 – 15 years. An independent expert advisory committee on vaccines also reviewed the evidence and supported the approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for young people.
The TGA also monitors evidence of vaccine use in other countries where the Pfizer vaccine is being provided to young people. You can read more about the approval process vaccines go through before they can be used in Australia by visiting the TGA website. |
| When will other young people be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine? | Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation will provide further advice on the broader 12-15 year old age group in coming months. As more COVID-19 vaccine doses become available, more people will be able to get vaccinated. |
| When will children under the age of 12 be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine? | Medical experts’ advice and Therapeutic Goods Association advice will continue to review evidence of the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for children. COVID-19 vaccines will only be recommended for children under the age of 12 when there is strong evidence that they are safe and effective. |
AstraZeneca access 18–39-year-old
Eligibility
| When can I get vaccinated? | Everyone over 40 years old can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
People aged 18-39 years old can get the AstraZeneca vaccine if they provide informed consent. Some groups of people under 40 years old can also get either vaccine because they are: • at higher risk of catching the COVID-19 virus, for example people working in border or quarantine facilities, a healthcare facility or aged-care facility • at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, for example people have pre-existing medical conditions or are pregnant. • carers (paid or unpaid) or volunteers directly supporting people with disability of any age. View who can get vaccinated for a full list of eligible people. |
COVID-19 vaccines
Brands
| Which COVID-19 vaccine will I receive?
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Two vaccines are being used in Australia: the Pfizer vaccine and the AstraZeneca vaccine. Both vaccines protect you against COVID-19.
Most people 60 years and older will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, however, if you are between the ages of 18-39 you can choose to get your AstraZeneca with informed consent. It is also recommended that you View an AstraZeneca factsheet in your language. Pfizer vaccine is the preferred vaccine for those under 60. View a Pfizer factsheet in your language. • The Pfizer vaccine will also be offered to all pregnant women, health care workers, quarantine and border workers, household contacts of hotel quarantine workers, and residential aged and disability care workers and residents aged 16 or over. Adults aged 18-39 can now choose to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at a state vaccination clinic, doctor, GP respiratory clinic, or community health service. People aged 18-39 years must provide informed consent before they get the AstraZeneca vaccine. Informed consent involves signing a document showing you are aware of the risks of receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, including the risk of thrombosis thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). |
| I’m 18-39 years old. Where can I get the AstraZeneca vaccine? | People aged 18-39 years old can get the AstraZeneca vaccine at:
· these Victorian vaccination centres: o Royal Exhibition Building o Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre o Melbourne Showgrounds o Sandown Racecourse o Frankston vaccination hub, Bayside Shopping Centre o South Morang – Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre o Geelong – former Ford Factory o Kilmore District Health – Outpatients Building o Mansfield District Hospital – Anderson Hall. · participating doctor’s clinics, respiratory clinics or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
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Side effects
| What symptoms should I watch out for after I have received the AstraZeneca vaccine? | Talk to your doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms up to one month after your AstraZeneca vaccine:
· A headache that keeps coming back. It might: o be mild or strong o feel worse when you lie down o 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. View more on thrombosis thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and related symptoms. |