The Australian Government is providing COVID-19 vaccines to everyone living in Australia. Here’s what you need to know about booking a COVID-19 vaccine and how vaccines are tested and approved.
Everyone in NSW, everyone aged 12 years and older is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Find out who can get a vaccine now.
Vaccine clinics are located across NSW for everyone aged 16 years and over. Use the Vaccine Clinic Finder to book your vaccination appointment.
Three vaccines are currently available for use in Australia:
You will receive a vaccine that is recommended for your age and other eligibility and clinical criteria.
You need the same vaccine given to you at two appointments to complete the vaccination. Two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will provide around 90% protection from hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.
Find out more about vaccine doses.
The type of COVID-19 vaccine you will be offered will mainly depend on your
Contraindications are conditions which mean a person should not receive a particular medication because it may be harmful.
Advice about contraindications is provided by ATAGI and the TGA.
Ask your GP or specialist to discuss your medical history and individual circumstances if you are concerned about vaccination and the effect on existing conditions.
For the small number of people who have a contraindication to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is recommended. The Australian Government Department of Health has information on medical conditions that fall into this category.
If you have a question or need information about COVID-19 or the COVID-19 vaccines:
Any COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Australia are safe and effective. Before vaccines are made available, they must be approved for use in Australia. There are strict requirements for testing and approving vaccines. This includes the TGA’s thorough assessment and approval processes for safety, quality and effectiveness.
Before a vaccine is approved, it is tested. Testing begins with laboratory research, then animal studies and finally human clinical trials.
Clinical trials must provide scientific evidence which demonstrates that the benefits of a vaccine greatly outweigh any risks.
Learn more about vaccines available in Australia.
The TGA will continue to play an active role in the ongoing monitoring of any vaccines available in Australia, and has robust procedures in place to rapidly detect, investigate and respond to any emerging safety issues identified for COVID-19 vaccines.
To best protect the community and reduce the spread of the virus, some groups of people can get priority vaccination appointments. The groups are based on:
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 and over are eligible to get a priority vaccine through the Vaccine Clinic Finder.
The Australian Government Department of Health has published a guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
Everyone aged 12 year and older can now book a vaccination through the Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Health services will make every effort to help you to receive your COVID-19 vaccination. It’s important to be respectful and work with your GP to find out which vaccine is right for you.
COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia regardless of Medicare or visa status.
To book an appointment, use the Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Having had COVID-19 doesn’t mean you can’t have a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have fully recovered and have not already been vaccinated, you can now receive your COVID-19 vaccination.
There is no need to delay vaccination if you have fully recovered.
If the vaccination is deferred, medical practitioners can authorise a temporary exemption from vaccination by completing a NSW COVID-19 vaccine medical contraindication form.