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COVID-19 vaccinations reduce the community’s risk of COVID-19 outbreaks and will help to reduce symptoms and side effects of COVID-19.

Here’s what you can expect before, during and after your vaccination appointment.

Available COVID-19 vaccines

All people aged 5 and over are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

Children aged 5 to 11 can get the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which is one third of the dose given to people aged 12 or older. Two doses are given 8 weeks apart.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available to all people 12 years and over. In this age group, two doses are given 21 days apart.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is recommended as a booster dose for those 16 years of age and over.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for a winter dose for eligible groups (see below).

See more information about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

Children aged 6 to 11 can get a half dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Two doses are given 8 weeks apart.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is available to all people aged 12 years and over. In this age group, two full doses are given 28 days apart.

For those aged 18 years or older, a half dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for use as a booster vaccine following a primary course.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for a winter dose for eligible groups (see below).

See more information about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is available for all people 18 and over at selected SA Health vaccination clinics. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses, given 21 days apart.

See more information about the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is available to all people aged 18 and over. 

You will need to make an informed decision by speaking with your vaccine provider and reading information at the SA Health AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine page.

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses, given 8 to 12 weeks apart. 

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can be used as a booster dose in people aged 18 years or older for whom other vaccine types are contraindicated for medical reasons, or if they decline to have one of the COVID-19 vaccines recommended for use as a booster dose.

See more information about the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Providing consent

Consent can be withdrawn at any time prior to receiving the first or second dose of the vaccine.

You will need to complete a consent form (PDF 192KB) before your vaccination appointment at SA Health vaccination clinics. If you are not able to complete this before your appointment, a consent form will be available on the day.

Preparing for your appointment

You will need to bring your Medicare card to your appointment. If you do not have a Medicare card, bring photo ID.

You may be asked to wear a mask to your appointment. If you do not have a mask, you will be provided with one.

You can have someone attend your vaccination appointment for support, including a support worker, family member, carer or friend.

The vaccine will be administered by a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other health care worker.

The length of appointment will depend on your individual personal and health circumstances. If based on your personal circumstances, you know that you may need longer please account for that in your planning. Most people will need to allow 30 minutes for their appointment.

At your appointment

Please wear loose clothing to your appointment that enables easy access to your upper arm where you will receive the vaccination.

If you are being vaccinated at a GP clinic, Respiratory clinic, or alternative vaccination site, they will provide you with further information prior to your appointment.

Before you enter the clinic or site, use the mySA GOV app to COVID Safe Check-In.

When you enter an SA Health COVID-19 vaccination clinic, you will be given a consent form (PDF 128KB) if you have not completed one electronically.

When a vaccinator is available, you will be asked to go to a vaccination bay or room where the person vaccinating you will:

  • take/access your consent form
  • confirm your identity
  • ask about your recent vaccination history
  • seek your informed consent for the delivery of the vaccine and check your signature on your consent form
  • administer your vaccine.

After you have been vaccinated, you will leave your hard copy consent form with the vaccinator and they will provide you with a vaccine record.

Observation after your vaccination

Everyone who is vaccinated will be observed for at least 15 minutes after they have been vaccinated, to ensure they do not experience any immediate reactions and to provide medical care if needed.

People with a history of allergic reactions (including food allergies, reactions to insect stings, medicine allergies, etc.) will be observed for 30 minutes following administration of a vaccine.

Side effects

You may experience some side effects following vaccination. Most side effects last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.

Common reactions to vaccination include pain, redness and/or swelling where you received the needle, mild fever, headache and flu-like symptoms. Some people may also experience nausea, pain in the limb, enlarged lymph nodes, difficulty sleeping or generally feeling unwell.

Serious reactions such as allergic reactions are extremely rare.

See your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible or go directly to a hospital if:

  • you have a reaction that you consider severe or unexpected
  • you are concerned about your condition after vaccination.

People should seek medical attention immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms:

  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • swelling in your leg
  • persistent abdominal (belly) pain
  • neurological symptoms, including severe and persistent headaches or blurred vision
  • tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the site of injection.

Use the COVID-19 vaccine side effects symptom checker if you have concerns about any symptoms after your vaccine.

You can call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 8.00am to 8.00pm, 7 days a week.

Following up on your side effects

You may be followed up with an automated text message three days and then eight days after getting the vaccine.

You will be asked if you have had any side effects, and the information will contribute to AusVaxSafety’s national COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance.

AusVaxSafety is a world-leading national vaccine safety system, led by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.

You can use the COVID-19 vaccine side effects symptom checker if you have concerns about any symptoms after having either of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Alternatively, you can call the National COVID-19 Vaccine Helpline on 1800 020 080.

Vaccination record

You will be given an official hard copy record of your vaccination.

Your vaccination information will also be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.

You can also access your immunisation history statement through Medicare for proof of vaccination, both digitally and in hard copy, if required.

Booster vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are recommended to maintain immunity against the virus.

All people aged 16 and over who have had their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose.

People aged 16 to 17 can have a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at SA Health vaccination clinics (including mobile clinics), and participating pharmacies, GPs and Respiratory Clinics.

People aged 18 and over can have a booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from participating pharmacies and SA Health booster vaccination clinics.

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has not yet been approved by the TGA for routine use as a booster.

For more information about which vaccine to get, read the Choosing your COVID-19 booster vaccine FAQs (PDF 65KB).

Winter Dose

In addition to the booster dose, a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to increase vaccine protection for selected population groups. It is available to groups that have completed their primary course and received a booster dose, and are at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19. These groups are:

  • Adults aged 65 years and older
  • Residents of aged care or disability care facilities
  • People aged 16 years and older with severe immunocompromise
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older.

The additional winter dose can be given from four months or longer after the booster dose, or from four months after a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, if infection occurred after the first COVID-19 booster dose.

Further information


Pfizer

AstraZeneca

Moderna

Novavax