How to prepare and be 'Allergy Ready' for your Covid-19 vaccination appointment in Australia

How to prepare and be 'Allergy Ready' for your Covid-19 vaccination appointment in Australia

You've booked your appointment, and now it's time to prepare for your Covid-19 vaccine.
Let's get right into it-

1. Do not get a Covid-19 vaccination if you:
    • Have a history of Anaphylaxis to any of the Covid-19 vaccine ingredients (see below CMI summary links).
    • Have had Anaphylaxis to a previous dose of the same Covid-19 vaccine.
    • Have further health reasons (see below CMI summary links) where you should not receive a Covid-19 vaccine.

    ⚠ If you cannot get a Covid-19 vaccine due to the above reasons, please speak to a GP for individual health advice and the options available based on your circumstances ⚠

    • View CMI Summaries-
      • Pfizer (Comirnaty): Click HERE ↗️ or HERE ↗️ to view the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary. Last updated October 21
      • Astrazeneca (Vaxzevria): Click HERE ↗️ or HERE ↗️ to view the Astrazeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary. Last updated August 21
      • Moderna (Spikevax): Click HERE ↗️ or HERE ↗️ to view the Moderna (Spikevax) vaccine Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary. Last updated December 21
      If you have a prior history of anaphylaxis to other vaccines, medications or drugs, please speak to a GP prior to booking a vaccine appointment.

       

      2. Do not attend your Covid-19 vaccination if you:

      • Are unwell with fever, cough, runny nose or other symptoms that could be from Covid-19
      • Are awaiting Covid-19 test results
      • Have tested positive with Covid-19 and you are in isolation
      • Are in quarantine
      • Are a close contact of someone with Covid-19

      Please check with your State/Territory for specific details

      3. Wear the following to your vaccination appointment:

      • A face mask (if required by your state/territory)
      • A short sleeve top, if possible, when receiving the vaccine as the injection is placed into your upper arm muscle

      4. Carry (bring) the following to your vaccine appointment:

      • Emergency Allergy medication in the case of a serious allergic reaction (such as an adrenaline autoinjector)
      • Your Appointment Confirmation (on your phone or printed)
      • Photo ID (Drivers License, Proof of Age Card, Passport, etc)
      • Your Medicare card, if you have one
      • Employee ID (if applicable)
      • Information about any of your medical conditions (including any allergy specific information, letter from your GP)
      • Information about any medications you are taking
      • Information about any previous Covid-19 vaccine you may have been given (the brand and date it was given to you).
      • Information about any other vaccine you have had in the past 7 days
      • Based on your eligibility you may be required to provide further documentation such as referral letters. Please refer to the instructions during the time of your appointment.
      • You can bring a support person or carer to your vaccine appointment (please check with your immunisation provider prior on regulations regarding this)

      5. When you get to your appointment Tell (advise) your immunisation provider:

      • If you have allergies (even if they are not severe) and what you do in the case of an emergency reaction (such as to use an adrenaline autoinjector)
      • If you have had a reaction to a vaccine in the past or to any the ingredients in those vaccines
      • If you are taking any medications
      • If you have any bleeding issues or are receiving anticoagulant therapy (a blood thinner)
      • If you have any respiratory symptoms
      • If you have any other conditions
      • If you have received another Covid-19 vaccine
      • If you have received any vaccine in the last 7 days
      "Every allergy matters. Even if you don't have a drug related allergy, make the immunisation provider aware of your allergies so they can take the required precautions."

        6. After your appointment:

        • You must remain in the vaccination clinic for observation for at least 15 minutes* in case an allergic reaction occurs.
        • If you have a history of severe allergic reactions you may be asked to wait in the clinic for 30 minutes. Please ensure the immunisation provider is aware of your allergies and emergency instructions in the case of a severe reaction.

        *This may vary by location. Please check with your immunisation provider.

        7. You may also experience some side effects following your vaccination:

        • If you are experiencing any minor to mild symptoms after your appointment, you can use the Covid-19 vaccine side effects symptom checker* ↗️ 
        • If symptoms persist, please visit your closest GP.
        • If you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis), follow your action plan and use your emergency medication followed by calling or having someone call triple zero (000) immediately.
        • If you experience or are in the presence of someone that is experiences other severe symptoms, call or have someone call triple zero (000) immediately.

        *This will take you to another website. This has no affiliation with Allergy Life Australia.

        8. Remember to book your second appointment (if this is your first):

        • Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine should be administered as close to 3–6 weeks from first vaccination.
        • AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine should be administered as close as possible to 4-12 weeks for the best protection. Depending on the situation in your state or territory this may be administered as early as 4 weeks.
        • Moderna Covid-19 vaccine should be administered as close to 4–6 weeks from first vaccination.

        Please Note: Intervals between doses may change as they are subject to on-going health advice.

        9. Book your third appointment (if you are eligible for a booster):

        • A booster dose ensures the protection from the initial doses is continued.
        • Boosters are currently only eligible for certain age groups and based on individual circumstances.
        • The Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) vaccines are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and recommended by ATAGI as a Covid-19 booster dose.
        • Boosters are currently available for people aged 18 years and older, who have had a Covid-19 vaccination at least 5 months ago.

        Please Note: Vaccine availability and eligibility is subject to health advise for each State/Territory.

        Book 2nd Appointment

        Information on this insight was updated on 14th December 2021

        ---

        We hope this helps keep you and community safer.

        Please note that information on this page is here to guide you, but is not a replacement for medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider (e.g. GP, doctor, nurse or pharmacist) or by direction from your state or territory authority, and is subject to change based on the Covid-19 circumstances in Australia.

        Back to Guides