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COVID-19 Vaccine

 

ATAGI clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccine in Australia in 2021

CESPHN Defrost Expiry Calculator

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COVID-19 vaccine comparison chart

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Most Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 stock
Too much COVID-19 vaccine stock? Can't use up vaccines before deforst expiry?

Call CESPHN on 1300 986 991 option 7 for COVID-19 or email coronavirus@cesphn.com.au to notify us of excess vaccines available for redistribution.

Need more COVID-19 vaccine stock? Delivery delays? Not enough supply?

Call CESPHN on 1300 986 991 option 7 for COVID-19 or email coronavirus@cesphn.com.au for assistance with accessing emergency vaccine supplies.

Fit testing
How can we arrange fit testing for our health staff?

CESPHN pleased to confirm that we will be offering free fit testing for all GPs and practice nurses in our region. Bookings are now open.

Isolation protocols
When can I leave isolation?
FAQs: Booster doses

How soon can I recieve my booster dose?

People are now able to access their COVID-19 booster 3 months after their second dose. It has been an option for primary care to implement this earlier if practical, in line with the ATAGI advice. All primary care vaccination sites and state run clinics may provide boosters at 3 months if there are appointments available. 

Source: ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Is a booster dose (4th dose) recommended for immunocopromised people?

People aged 18 years or older who received a 3-dose primary course due to severe immunocompromise are now recommended to receive a booster (4th) dose ≥ 4 months after their 3rd dose. • Recommendations for children aged 5 to 11 years will be made in due course.

Source: ATAGI recommendations on the use of a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised

FAQs: Paediatric Pfizer
How do I record paediatric Pfizer vaccines to AIR?

All Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination encounters including 5-11 year old and 12+years will be recorded under the same Pfizer Comirnaty COMIRN code on the AIR.

At the moment the only way for GPs and other providers to distinguish between paediatric and adult Pfizer COMINARTY doses on the AIR and in their Practice Management Software (PMS) is to ensure they record the correct batch number for the Pfizer COMIRNATY vaccine being administered.

It is expected that vaccine providers will enter in data within 24 hours from vaccine administration. 

Source: COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program & AIR vaccine codes

What is the date printed on the Paediatric Pfizer vial?

The expiry date will NOT be printed on each individual vial, only the manufacture date, so it is vital that the outer carton expiry date is checked and noted. The expiry date and thawed date will be labelled on the carton prior to dispatch from DHL.

Check that the expiry date and thawed date has been labelled on the outer carton when delivered. The label on the carton should reflect the refrigerated expiry date and the original expiry date. The earlier date must be used.

Source: COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program & Interpreting expiry dates

Can the adult Pfizer vaccine be given to children under 12 years?

It is crucial to note the Pfizer (COMIRNATY) (For Age 5 to <12 Years) vaccine is a different formulation and has a different recommended use, storage, handling and preparation processes to the purple capped Pfizer (COMIRNATY) vaccine for those 12 and over. 

The purple capped Pfizer (COMINARTY) vaccine should NOT be administered to patients under the age of 12.  

Source: COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program

Can the paediactric Pfizer vaccine be given to children 12 years and over?

The Pfizer (COMIRNATY) (For Age 5 to <12 Years) can NOT be given to children from their 12th birthday onwards, even if they received one dose of the Pfizer (COMIRNATY) (For Age 5 to <12 Years) before they turned 12.

Children who turn 12 after their first dose should receive the adolescent/adult formation of the Pfizer (COMIRNATY) COVID-19 vaccine to complete their primary vaccine course. This is also the usual practice for other types of vaccines where there are different dose strengths for different age groups.

Source: COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program

FAQs: SARS-CoV-2 infection
What happens if I get COVID-19 between the first and second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine?

Your body will develop an immune response within 2-3 weeks after the first dose and will be partially protected. However, all people need a second dose to achieve maximum and longer lasting protection.

If you are infected with COVID-19 and have only had one dose of vaccine, you will still be able to have the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. You can receive your second dose once you have recovered from the acute illness, or defer for up to 6 months.

Source: NCIRS COVID-19 vaccine FAQs

What happens if I get COVID-19 after the second dose and before a booster?

Some people may also develop COVID-19 disease after two doses; however, evidence from the United States suggests that fully vaccinated individuals who get infected with COVID-19 usually experience less severe symptoms than those who are unvaccinated.

If you develop COVID-19 disease after two doses, you can still receive the booster dose 4 months after the second dose. You can receive the booster dose once you have recovered from the acute illness or defer for another 6 months.

Source: NCIRS COVID-19 vaccine FAQs

Do I need the vaccine if I have already had COVID-19 in the past?

Yes, COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for people with a past history of COVID-19. You do not need to delay vaccination if you have completely recovered from COVID-19. 

The ATAGI clinical guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccine in Australia in 2021 recommends people with SARS-CoV-2 infection can be vaccinated as soon as they have recovered from their acute illness or can defer vaccination for up to 6 months after onset of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

People who had an anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody or convalescent plasma treatment for COVID-19, such as sotrovimab or casirivimab+imdevimab, should wait at least 90 days before having a COVID-19 vaccine.

Source: NCIRS COVID-19 vaccine FAQs

Resources for COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics and Services 
COVID-19 vaccine clinics

Find a GP or Pharmacy vaccine clinic - Vaccine Clinic Finder. 

NSW Health Vaccination Centre - Book appointment

See list of GP Respiratory Clinics in CESPHN

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VCF Connect

Vaccine Clinic Finder Connect (VCF Connect) is designed  for clinics to self-manage COVID-19 vaccine clinic details on the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.

CESPHN Vax at Home program 

The CESPHN Vax at Home Service is ONLY for those people who are housebound and not able to leave their house to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or booster (their carers will also be able to be vaccinated).  

Patient self-referrals will NOT be accepted. Patients should speak with their GP for referral to this program if appropriate. Referrals will be accepted from general practitioners and from Local Health Districts. More information.

Provider Information

Websites: Clinical considerations and Advice for vaccine providers

Resource Collection: Advice for COVID-19 vaccine providers and Provider resources

COVID-19 Vaccination Status Report - AIR042 report

The AIR042 report identifes patients aged over 12 years who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccination. See guidelines on how to download report.

Fit testing

We are pleased to confirm that CESPHN will be offering free fit testing for all GPs and practice nurses in our region. Bookings are now open.

Paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Clinical 

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Resources

Transfer of vaccines
COVID-19 booster vaccines

Resources

MBS Booster Incentive

Booster dose number

  • When entering directly onto the AIR site, there is no requirement for entering a dose number for adults.  AIR record all adult doses as V (valid). The immunisation history statement does not list doses for adults. 
  • If you are required to enter a dose number, it can be entered as '3' but AIR will count them according to date given so it does not need to be changed if it automatically defaults to '1' in practice software.

Further information:

Disposal of COVID-19 vaccines

What is vaccine wastage?

Vaccine wastage refers to the loss of vaccine doses due to cold chain breaches, expired vials or other damage.

How do you dispose of COVID-19 vaccines?

The COVID-19 Vaccination Training gives details on how to dispose of vaccines:

  • Prior to disposal, the outer packaging (carton) should be defaced by striking through at least one panel of the carton with a sharpie or similar marker.
  • Any unused vaccine or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements in a clinical waste bin - vials must be disposed of in the provided sharps container to ensure they cannot be accessed.

Reporting requirements for vaccine wastage:

Remember to notify wastage to the Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) through the COVID-19 Vaccine Administrative System (CVAS):

  • wastage less than 5 vials should be reported in your “Vaccine Stock Management Report”
  • wastage of 5 vias and over should also be reported within the “Wastage Report”
  • wastage “incidents” (e.g. damaged vials or breach of cold chain requirements), of 5 vials and over must be reported immediately (within 2 hours of the incident occurring) by calling the VOC on 1800 318 208
COVID-19 exposure

NSW Health is currently responding to a number of COVID-19 outbreaks all across NSW. Healthcare workers are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.

  • Cleaning post COVID-19 positive case: Guidelines
COVID-19 Safety Plan

The following guides should be adapted to suit your practices procedures and workflows:

Medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines
Overseas COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines given overseas that have been recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) can now be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

  • Covishield (AstraZeneca)
  • Coronavac (Sinovac)
  • Covaxin (Bharat Biotech)
  • BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm)
  • Sputnik V (Gamaleya Research Institute)

It is important that country of immunisation and batch number are recorded. A list of all vaccines currently able to be reported to AIR is available on the AIR vaccine code page which is updated regularly.

Clinical support COVID-19 vaccines
ATAGI
Product Information
Mixed (heterologous) schedules
  • ATAGI recommends completing the vaccination course with the same vaccine. Mixed schedules using 2 different vaccines to complete the primary vaccination course are only recommended in special circumstances See page 17 - ATAGI Clinical Guidance
Consent
AstraZeneca vaccine

Patient handouts

Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)

Pfizer

Patient handout

Pericarditis and Myocarditis

PPE
MBS items
  • 93624: Dose 1
  • 93644: Dose 2
  • 93644: Dose 3 (immunocompromised)
  • 93644: Booster
  • 90005: Flag fall (co-claim with 93624 or 93644)
  • 10660: In-depth assessment: GP attend to patient >10 mins (co-claim with 93624 or 93644)
  • 93666: Booster incentive (co-claim with 93644 - booster only)
  • 93715: Providing treatment to COVID-19 positive patients
Patient Information
Public Health Orders 

NSW Health - Public Health Orders and restrictions 

 

De-Isolation protocols

 

Register positive RAT result

Register positive COVID test results with Service NSW

COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme

See policy on the new COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme which sets out the rules that govern the scheme.

COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme – Policy

COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme – Guidance for conditions

COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme – Guidance for injuries caused by vaccine administration

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and exemption

See accepted proof of vaccination

Exemption

See accepted proof of medical exemption

Valid immunisation medical exemptions must be recorded on the AIR by a medical practitioner, and will appear on a patient's AIR Immunisation History Statement. 

The Department is working with Services Australia on enhancements to the AIR that will allow individuals with a valid medical contraindication to COVID-19 vaccines to generate a COVID-19 Digital Certificate.

Missing COVID-19 vaccination records

If your COVID-19 vaccinations aren’t showing after 10 days, or can’t be updated by the provider, call the Australian Immunisation Register. 

Roadmap to freedom

Roadmap for the fully vaccinated - NSW Health

Find a clinic an book
COVID-19 vaccine information

TTS information

TTS information sheet and Risk/Benefit informaiton sheet 

Information for teens/kids
Preparing for COVID-19 vaccine
Translated resources 
Websites 
Posters
Safety Information
Anaphylaxis
Reporting Adverse Events

NSW Health: What is a serious adverse event?

Health professionals are required to report suspected reactions, known as adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) particularly if they are unexpected or significant.

If a patient has an immediate serious reaction or is unwell in the days after a vaccination, you must report to:

and

See also:

TGA safety reports

COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report

COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance
Advice on Vaccine Errors

 

  1. Advice retlating to patient:

    • Open disclosure of the incident to the patient/parents of the patient.
    • Inform patient of any expected side effects and possible remedies to help with side effects.
    • Arrange follow up appointment for patient with GP - mainly as a health check, but also to maintaining the GP/patient relationship.
    • Give the Patient/Parents HCCC contact details in case they want to report a complaint:

  2. Advice relating to practice:

      • Usual incident reporting process within the practice
      • Inform the practice Insurer
      • Review practice policies/process to avoid error in future

  3. Clinical advice:

    • Send patient to ED if patient clinical unwell
    • Call NSWISS (Specialist Immunisation Clinic) if clinical advice re patient symptoms is required
    • Report AEFI if patients has symptoms - download the AEFI TGA Reporting Form
    • For accidental overdose see below.

  4. For COVID-19 vaccinations, send an error report to Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC):

Accidental overdose
  1. If an accidental overdose occurs, it is recommended to observe vital signs and, if symptomatic, to treat the symptoms. There are no specific overdose symptoms to be aware of.
  2. Follow the above Advice on Vaccine Errors - This error must be recorded through your normal jurisdictional medication error reporting systems.
  3. For more information, the Poisons Information Centre may be contacted on 131 126. 
Revaccination following vaccine error

If an error has occurred during vaccine preparation or vaccine administration, resulting in an inadequate two-dose primary course, another dose may be recommended. The aim of replacement doses is to attain a level of immune response that is comparable to that expected following completion of a two-dose primary course of a COVID-19 vaccine according to the recommended dosage and schedule (ATAGI, 2021u). 

 

Vaccine Administration Error

ATAGI Recommendation

Less than half of the vaccine dose volume (estimated) was administered

Give a replacement dose a minimum of 1 week after the invalid dose, and a subsequent dose as indicated

Incorrect diluent (such as sterile water for injection) used to dilute Pfizer (COMIRNATY) (For Age 5 to <12 Years) vaccine dose  

Give a replacement dose of Pfizer (COMIRNATY) (For Age 5 to <12 Years) a minimum of 1 week after the invalid dose, and a subsequent dose as indicated

Only the diluent of Pfizer (COMIRNATY) (For Age 5 to <12 Years) was administered (i.e. no Pfizer (COMIRNATY) vaccine ingredient)

Give a replacement dose of Pfizer (COMIRNATY) (For Age 5 to <12 Years) as soon as feasible, and a subsequent dose if indicated

If the 2nd dose of Pfizer (COMIRNATY) (Age 5 to <12 Years) is administered less than 14 days after the first dose, it is considered an invalid dose. 

An additional dose of Pfizer (COMIRNATY) (For Age 5 to <12 Years) should be administered as a replacement dose. The interval between the invalid 2nd dose and the replacement dose is flexible, recommended at 4 to 12 weeks after the invalid 2nd dose (ATAGI, 2021u). 

Refer to the ATAGI clinical guidance on replacement doses for invalid primary courses of COVID-19 vaccines for further information.  

 

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Training
Mandatory COVID-19 training  

In order to administer vaccines, each health professional involved in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines is required to complete the training.

COMPLETE NOW: COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program

All vaccine administrators must complete the training before the roll-out at their site, and each site is required to maintain a record of completion for all practitioners at their site.

Non-Clinical COVID-19 training modules

Non-clinical modules are also available and provide training on:

  • vaccine handling
  • vaccine storage
  • communication support

These modules were designed to support practice staff including:

  • reception staff
  • administration staff
  • practice manager 
Other immunisation education

For COVID-19 vaccinerelated education modules, see Immunisation Education webpage

Digital Tools
Australian Immunisation Register

It is mandatory under the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 to report all COVID-vaccine encounters to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). See Australian Immunisation Register fact sheet - 14 May 2021. 

Mandatory reporting & penalties:

COVID-19 vaccine encounters should be uploaded into AIR at the time of administration, or within 24 hours, to ensure consumer immunisation information is up to date.

How to report a vaccination to the AIR:

  • Clinical software integrated with AIR (eg: Best Practice, Medical Director)
  • The new CVIP: Clinician Vaccine Integrated Platform free app, Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA)
  • Onlne AIR site accessed via PRODA/HPOS
My Health Record
Clinician Vaccine Integrated Platform

What is the CVIP?

Who is it for?

  • It can be used by recognised vaccination providers who do not already have clinical software that reports to the AIR. This may include medical practitioners, pharmacists, nurses and midwives. 

How do I access CVIP?

  • CVIP is free to use. It is available online through a web browser or phone app (coming soon). 

Training on CVIP

CVIP consumer terms and conditions

Data Extration Tools
Communication Materials
Addressing vaccine hesitancy

Understanding and addressing vaccine hesitancy

Resources to address vaccine hesitancy 

Communication tools to address vaccine hesitancy

 hesitancy.png

Multicultural communication materials

Translated resources 

Supporting communication for the COVID-19 vaccination program - This glossary was developed to help community organisations, translators and interpreters, bilingual workers, and community leaders to better understand and communicate about vaccine development and implementation.

COVID-19 communication materials

Information for teens/kids

Guidance to help people make informed decisions

Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

 

 

Vaccination clinic locations

See above

 

Aged Care | Indigenous | Disability

RACF

See CESPHN Immunisation - RACF webpage

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

See CESPHN Immunisation - Indigenous webpage

Disability 

Provider resources

Access to COVID-19 vaccines
In-home and community aged care recipients and workers

COVID-19 vaccination – COVID-19 vaccine information for in-home and community aged care recipients and workers

Aged 60 years and over

  • GP clinic
  • Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic (GP respiratory clinic)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service
  • State or territory AstraZeneca vaccination clinic

Aged under 60 years

  • State or territory Pfizer vaccination clinic

Visit website to find out how to book your vaccination appointment.

Pharmacy
    Find a COVID-19 vaccine pharmacy
    Spikevax (Moderna) information
    Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) information
    Websites | FAQ

     

     

    Peak bodies
    Frequently asked questions | FAQs
    Department of Health 
    Support

    Support Contacts 

    Need support? See COVID-19 Q&A April 2020 

    Clinical Support: NSW Immunisation Specialist Service

    VOC: Vaccine Operations Centre

    Commonwealth Booking Platform

    Department of Health COVID-19 support: 

    Translating service

    • For translating and interpreting services, call 131 450.
    State vaccine centres 
    • NSW Health COVID-19 Vaccination Program hotline 1800 571 155
    • Sydney Local Health District COVID-19 Vaccination Program hotline on 1800 955 566

    AIR: Australian Immunisation Register

    PRODA: Provider Digital Access

    CVIP: Clinician Vaccine Integrated Platform

    GPRC support

    • GPRC Hotline: 02 6289 8822

    Update your practices details in the Vaccine Clinic Finder 

    CESPHN COVID-19 support:

    Subscribe to Sydney Health Weekly to receive immunisation updates

    SUBSCRIBE NOW to our weekly Immunisation email updates via Sydney Health Weekly