Vaccination

Vaccination remains the most important measure to protect those at risk of severe disease from COVID-19.  COVID-19 vaccines are recommended every 6 to 12 months for older adults and adults with severe immunocompromise due to their ongoing risk of severe COVID-19. 

Who is recommended to get vaccinated?

Primary course

Your primary course of vaccination is the first doses needed for protection against a disease. Learn about COVID-19 vaccine primary courses.

Primary course recommendations differ according to age and whether or not medical risk factors are present. 

All people aged 18 years and over without severe immunocompromise who have not previously received a COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to receive a single primary dose. 

Eligible infants, children, and adolescents aged six months to under 18 years with severe immunocompromise, disability or complex/multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 and who have not previously received a COVID-19 vaccine, can consider a primary course. This should be based on a risk-benefit assessment with their healthcare provider. Read more about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people under 18 years of age.

Keeping up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations

Immunity against COVID-19 reduces over time. Keeping up to date with vaccinations after your primary course provides the best protection against severe COVID-19. 

Adults aged 75 years and older

ATAGI recommends you receive a dose of COVID-19 vaccine every six months[MSM1] . 

Adults aged between 65 to 74 years, or 18 to 64 years with severe immunocompromise

ATAGI recommends you receive a dose of COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months, and to consider a dose every six months, based on a risk-benefit assessment with your GP, pharmacist or other healthcare provider.

Adults aged 18 to 64 years without severe immunocompromise

ATAGI recommends you consider further doses every 12 months based on a risk-benefit assessment with your GP, pharmacist or other healthcare provider.

Children and adolescents aged five to 17 years with severe immunocompromise

ATAGI recommends you consider a COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months, based on a risk-benefit assessment with your GP, pharmacist or other healthcare provider.  

Children and adolescents aged five to 17 years without severe immunocompromise:

Are not recommended to receive a COVID-19 booster dose.

Children six months to less than five years:

Are not recommended to receive a COVID-19 booster dose.

Why get vaccinated?

Remaining up to date with COVID-19 vaccination has many benefits, including:

• You are less likely to get sick and become very unwell or die from COVID-19
• To protect your family and the community, especially people who are at most risk from severe illness
• The virus will have a harder time spreading in the community

Even if you have had COVID-19, you should still stay up to date with your vaccinations.

Talk to your doctor or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 if you have questions about the benefits of being vaccinated.

About COVID-19 vaccines

Different COVID-19 vaccines are available for different age groups. Find out more about them on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines are preferred over other COVID-19 vaccines. 

Where to get vaccinated

Check the Australian Government vaccine clinic finder to find a vaccine provider near you.

Pharmacies

Selected pharmacies are delivering COVID-19 vaccines to individuals from 10 years of age.

Some pharmacies are also delivering COVID-19 vaccines to children from 5 years of age.

Use the Australian Government vaccine clinic finder to find a participating pharmacy in your area

For children 6 months to under 5 years

Some general practices and specialist clinics are offering the COVID-19 vaccine including for eligible children aged 6 months to under 5 years of age.

Find a vaccine clinic near you

The Specialist Paediatric Immunisation Service at the Royal Hobart Hospital is also offering vaccinations for eligible children aged 6 months to 5 years of age. Speak to your GP, Paediatrician or Specialist Nurse – they can arrange for you to be contacted by the team to book an appointment.

People with disability or special requirements

Read more information about COVID-19 vaccines for people with disability.

For information in Easy Read, please see Fact Sheets about COVID-19 vaccines in Easy Read format.

For more help or support:

• Call the Disability Gateway Helpline on 1800 643 787 for support with booking.
• The National Relay Service is available for people who have trouble hearing or speaking with people who use a phone.

Vaccines are safe and effective

COVID-19 vaccines used in Australia are safe and effective.

Some people who get the vaccine experience minor side effects like tiredness, pain where the needle went in, or headache. These go away within a couple of days.

Other very rare side effects have been reported for each vaccine.

Vaccines used in Australia must pass strict safety standards set by Australia's independent medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA rigorously monitors the safety of these vaccines.

Learn more about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

Proof of vaccination

You can access a free vaccination record or a COVID-19 digital certificate online via myGov through your Medicare or My Health Record account.

For step-by-step help to get your vaccination record or COVID-19 digital certificate, visit the Services Australia website. If you need more help or can’t get online, ring the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809.

For more information about accessing your immunisation history, visit Services Australia.

Reporting symptoms following vaccination

Reporting your symptoms after a vaccination helps ensure COVID-19 vaccines are delivered as safely as possible in Tasmania.

You can report your symptoms following vaccination to the Department of Health, Tasmania by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or emailing a completed adverse events following immunisation form (Word or PDF) to [email protected].

Contact your doctor or healthcare provider if you have severe symptoms, symptoms that are not going away after a few days, or you are otherwise concerned about side effects.

Information in your language

Information about COVID-19 vaccines has been translated into multiple languages. Find information in your language.

If you need to talk to someone or have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, phone the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 and tell them your language. Tell the interpreter your name and that you’re calling the Tasmanian Department of Health 1800 671 738.

Where to find more information

• If you need help finding a vaccine clinic, visit the Australian Government’s vaccine clinic finder, call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
• The latest Australian Government information and advice on COVID-19 vaccines.
• COVID-19 vaccine questions and answers: COVID-19 vaccines – Is it true? 
• Therapeutic Goods Administration’s vaccine approval process on the TGA website.
• Information and resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on the Australian Government website.
• Easy read resources for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines.