Can you get a COVID-19 vaccination yet? State-by-state guide

While every state and territory in Australia is now rolling out the coronavirus vaccine, the rules on who can get them varies slightly.

Phase 1A and 1B vaccinations are still ongoing after starting in February.

That includes health workers, aged care staff and residents, border and quarantine workers and their households, critical and high-risk workers, over-70s, people with medical conditions and disabilities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over.

Vaccination

People aged 50 and over are also now able to get their jabs and in most states and territories, people aged over 40 can now also book – or at least register their details for a future booking.

The vaccine, which has been shown to be highly effective against coronavirus, is free for all, regardless of immigration or Medicare status, and comes in two doses.

How to make a vaccine booking

People are not being contacted to book their jab but must make their own arrangements via each state or territory below.

Australia is currently using two brands of vaccine – Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

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Vaccination

You are not allowed to choose which jab you have, but Pfizer is recommended for people under 50 due to the extremely rare chance of blood clots from the AstraZeneca jab.

COVID-19 patients are in fact eight times more likely to get a blood clot than from the vaccine, with the Australian government saying four to six people in a million will get a blood clot after the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Pfizer doses are given three weeks apart.

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AstraZeneca is being given to those over 50, with the doses spread 12 weeks apart.

However, some younger people are opting to have that jab too.

In addition to the individual state and territory rules, across the nation, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 16 can get the jab now and should contact their doctor or visit their state health website to book.

People who have an exemption to leave the country can also get the jab.

People going for their vaccine will be asked to wait for 15 minutes after receiving the shot and should take their Medicare card with them to the appointment.

NSW

All over-50s can now get the jab in New South Wales, in addition to those in phases 1A and 1B, which includes health and frontline workers and people with medical conditions.

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People who are not that age but match the eligibility criteria because of their job, health issues or if they are caring for a vulnerable person can also get it now.

Check your eligibility online here.

People aged 40-49 are also now being given the jab in NSW.

People of that category must register their interest here and will be invited to book an appointment at a hub, such as at Sydney's Olympic Park centre, by NSW Health as it works through the list.

People can also contact their GP to book an appointment to have their jab done at their surgery.

Or you can book to go to one of the mass vaccination centres across the state, after your eligibility is confirmed.

NSW is not doing walk-in appointments.

There is a 24-hour helpline on 1800 020 080.

Vaccination

Victoria

Victoria has expanded its vaccination rollout to people aged 40 and older.

People can either book an appointment on 1800 675 398, or walk up and wait at centres that accept walk-ins.

The list of clinics and waiting times for walk-ins is here.

Vaccination queues at the Exhibition Building, Melbournehttps://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1401381137507786752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

There are almost 50 clinics across Victoria, with vaccination one of the reasons people in Melbourne can leave home under lockdown rules.

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Residential aged care and disability care staff are being given priority for walk-ins under a "blitz" by the state government.

Queensland

After a slow start, Queensland has now ramped up its vaccination rollout.

Everybody aged 40 and over can now get the jab.

People aged 40-49 should register online here, with Queensland Health saying it will contact that age group by email "when appointments become available".

Over-16s are also being offered the vaccination at certain centres on the Gold Coast, Queensland Health said.

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1400250403237744645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

People aged over 50 can book to get jabbed at their GP, community Aboriginal Controlled Community health service or vaccination hub, according to Queensland Health's website.

Plus, more rural and remote Queenslanders will be rolling up their sleeves as local pharmacies join the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout this week.

The Australian Government is partnering with the Queensland community pharmacy network to bolster the regional rollout of vaccines, with 49 pharmacies joining.

ACT

The ACT Government COVID-19 vaccination clinics are now vaccinating all phase 1A and 1B groups, as well as everybody over the age of 40.

https://twitter.com/ACTHealth/status/1400710980011651073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Book an appointment here or call 02 5124 7700.

The territory is giving jabs at Garran Mass Vaccination Clinic, Calvary Public Hospital clinic, GP surgeries and Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services.

Northern Territory

Anybody aged over 16 in the NT can get their vaccination from this week.

Book online here for one of the centres, which include Royal Darwin Hospital Auditorium COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic and the Alice Springs Hospital COVID-19 Hub.

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NT Health said it is working to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to remote communities across the Northern Territory in partnership with Aboriginal Health Organisations.

Contact those clinics here.

South Australia

South Australia is vaccinating people as young as 16 in regional areas.

See the list of clinics here.

https://twitter.com/SAHealth/status/1399264649175052288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

People 50 and over, frontline workers, health workers or aged care residents can get the jab in metropolitan areas such as Adelaide.

Appointments can be booked online here.

It has not yet expanded to under-50s.

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SA Health said on its website: "The vaccination commencement date for the rest of South Australia's adult population is still to be confirmed.

"Our aim is for every South Australian over 16 years and over to have the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021."

Tasmania

Tasmania has this week added people aged over 40 to its rollout.

That's in addition to over-50s and people in phases 1B and 1B.

Tasmania Health also says NDIS participants and their carers over 16 are also eligible.

Multiple community clinics are giving vaccinations, alongside hospitals.

Book online here or call 1800 671 738.

Western Australia

Western Australia is vaccinating people aged over 50, as well as people including vulnerable people, frontline workers, carers and other high-risk groups.

READ MORE: Man tests positive to COVID-19 after leaving WA hotel quarantine

It has not yet opened the rollout to over-40s.

Book online here.

Vaccinations clinics in Perth include Joondalup, Perth Airport, Kwinana and Claremont.

People in regional areas can also get jabbed at hospital-based clinics in the Goldfields, Great Southern, Kimberley, Mid West, Pilbara, South West and Wheatbelt regions.

GPs, GP respiratory clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services throughout regional and metropolitan areas are also giving out jabs, WA Health says online.