COVID-19 Alert 18 June 2021- Change to vaccine eligibility

Change to vaccination eligibility 

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised that the Pfizer vaccine is now the preferred COVID-19 vaccine for eligible Australians under 60 years of age. 

The AstraZeneca vaccine remains the preferred COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 60 years and above, and for people who have already had their first AstraZeneca dose (irrespective of age).

For more information about this advice, please visit the Australian Department of Health website.

If you have already received your first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine  

The new age-based recommendations are made out of an abundance of caution.

If you have already received your first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, without any serious adverse side effects, you are encouraged to receive the second dose as planned. This is safe and recommended by ATAGI.

If you are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine  

The Pfizer vaccine is available to people aged between 40 to 59.

If you are aged between 50 to 59 and have already made a vaccination booking, you will be offered the Pfizer vaccine at your appointment.

Please note: Victorian health services are not currently offering first-dose Pfizer vaccination or walk-ins for second dose Pfizer vaccination.

If you are eligible to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine  

The AstraZeneca vaccine is recommended for people aged 60 and over.

If you are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine, you can walk in or make a booking at our Cranbourne Turf Club or Sandown Racecourse Vaccination Centres.

To make a booking to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, please visit the Victorian Government website or call 1800 675 398.

Detailed guidance  

• All people aged 50-59 who are currently booked in to receive a first dose of AstraZeneca at a vaccination site that also administers Pfizer will be offered the Pfizer vaccine upon arrival, with reference to the ATAGI recommendation.
• All people aged 50-59 who walk in to receive a first dose of AstraZeneca will not be offered the Pfizer vaccine. If a person in this group wishes to receive Pfizer, they will be advised to call the vaccine hotline at 1800 675 398 or book online to make a booking, noting that first dose Pfizer appointments are currently suspended. If the person wishes to proceed with vaccination on the day, that person may consent to receiving AstraZeneca in line with current consent protocols.
• People who have had their first dose of AstraZeneca without any serious adverse effects should be given their second dose of AstraZeneca, whether booked or on a walk-in basis. This includes adults under 60 years of age. Pfizer will not be administered to people in this category unless a medical exemption applies.
• People aged 60 years and over should continue to receive AstraZeneca unless an existing formal exception applies.