Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Ltd

ATSICHS Mackay has implemented phase 1b of the Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout. 

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Those who are currently eligible in this phase and can book for the vaccine are: 

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• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over the age of 55

• Anyone 70 years of age or older

• Health care workers

• adults with a underlying medical condition

• adults with severe disability who have a underlying medical condition

• Critical and high risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency servicers and meat processing

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If you are unsure if you meet this criteria, please click the following link and complete the QLD Government Eligibility Checker. 

https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility

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If you are eligible you can book for your vaccine by either, clicking the book online button on the bottom right hand side of your screen or, call the clinic on 4957 9400. 

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Common Questions Regarding The Vaccine

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Q. Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

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 A vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect people against serious illness from COVID-19. Just like the flu, it is important to get vaccinated to protect yourself, family, community and Elders.

 

Vaccines are a safe way of producing an immune response in the body without causing illness. Vaccines contain either killed or weakened versions of the virus that causes disease or only a small part of the virus (such as a protein or RNA).

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Q. How many doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine should I receive? 

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You will be given two doses of the vaccine 12 weeks apart. you must have the same type of vaccine for both of these doses. We encourage you to book your second dose when you book your first. 

 

Q. Are there any known side-effects for any of the COVID-19 vaccines? What are expected (normal) side-effects? What should I do and where should I go if my side-effects are more severe than that? Will the known side-effects be registered anywhere?

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As part of the vaccine assessment, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) looks at information about any side effects. For the vaccine to be approved in Australia, the benefit must be greater than the risk. All vaccines can have some side effects. These usually don’t last long and are mild.

Clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines have shown side effects that didn’t last long. These were typical of vaccines, such as pain at the injection site, fever or muscle aches and headaches.

Information on the side effects of any vaccine approved for use in Australia is available in the Consumer Medicines Information leaflet. It is available on the TGA website at: www.tga.gov.au, just search for 'Consumer Medicines Information'.

If you have any questions or worries after your vaccinations, please contact our clinic on 07 49579400. They can advise you about what to do in the unlikely event of an unexpected or more severe reaction to the vaccine.

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Q. Can I choose not to be vaccinated?

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Yes. The COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary. It is encouraged to protect yourself, Elders and community from COVID-19.

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Q. Can I receive the vaccine if I am pregnant? 

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At this stage we will not vaccinate anyone who is pregnant. Please talk to your doctor about when it will be safe for you to be vaccinated.