The Australian Government has committed to providing the COVID-19 vaccine for free to all Australian citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers and temporary visa-holders. Better Value Pharmacy prides itself on providing safe and convenient immunization services and is fully committed to supporting the Australian Government and public in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria®) and Moderna (Spikevax®)  vaccines are now available in select pharmacies in Australia. The Australian Government eligibility checker will confirm if you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

For the most up to date information on Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout please visit who can get vaccinated

It is important to note that Australia has some of the toughest safety standards in the world. All vaccines approved for use in Australia undergo robust scientific testing and analysis by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to ensure they are effective and safe. For answers to all your COVID-19 vaccine questions please visit the Australian Government Department of Health resources regarding COVID-19 Vaccines and facts on COVID-19 Vaccines.

Currently, administration of a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine on the same day is not recommended. You need to wait at least 7 days between a dose of COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine.

Answer some questions to check when you can get a COVID-19 vaccination, find out where, and book an appointment. You can do this for yourself or another person.

For AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria®):

• aged 60 and over
• aged 18 to 59 in outbreak areas, if they do not have immediate access to Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna).

ATAGI has recommended some people not be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Contraindications to AstraZeneca are:

• anaphylaxis after a previous dose
• anaphylaxis to any component of the vaccine, including polysorbate 80
• history of capillary leak syndrome
• thrombosis with thrombocytopenia occurring after a previous dose
• any other serious adverse event, that following review by an experienced immunisation provider or medical specialist was attributed to a previous dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

ATAGI have also advised that people with a history of one of the following specific blood conditions should not receive the AstraZeneca vaccine:

• cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)
• heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
• idiopathic splanchnic (mesenteric, portal and splenic) venous thrombosis
• anti-phospholipid syndrome with thrombosis.

For the most up to date information on AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria®) COVID-19 vaccine rollout please visit Vaxzevira (AstraZeneca) information page on Department of Health website.

For Moderna (Spikevax®):

People aged ≥ 18 years and older can receive this COVID-19 vaccination. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation will make recommendations for the use of Moderna in adolescents aged 12-17 years within the coming months.

You should not receive this vaccine if you have had: 

• Anaphylaxis (a type of severe allergic reaction) to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID19 vaccine (i.e. Moderna or Comirnaty (Pfizer))
• Anaphylaxis after exposure to any component of the vaccine, including polyethylene glycol (PEG)
• Myocarditis and/or pericarditis attributed to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (i.e. Moderna or Pfizer)
• Any other serious adverse event, that following review by an experienced immunisation provider or medical specialist was attributed to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (i.e. Moderna or Pfizer) and without another cause identified.

For the most up to date information on Moderna (Spikevax®) COVID-19 vaccine rollout please visit Spikevax (Moderna) information page on Department of Health website.

For Pfizer:

The Pfizer vaccine is now available for all people aged 12 years and over.

You need 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, given between 3 and 6 weeks apart. You may not be fully protected against COVID-19 until 7 to 14 days after your second dose. 

Pfizer is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. This type of vaccine uses a genetic code called RNA to make your body's cells produce the coronavirus’ specific spike protein.

Your immune system cells then recognise the spike protein as a threat and begin building an immune response against it. The RNA from the vaccine does not change your DNA in any way, and your body quickly breaks it down. 

Pfizer does not contain any live virus, and it cannot give you COVID-19. 

Common side effects after Pfizer include:

• injection site pain or swelling
• tiredness
• headache
• muscle or joint pain
• fever and chills.

It's not recommended that you have the Pfizer vaccine if you have had:

• a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine
• anaphylaxis after exposure to any component of the vaccine, including polyethylene glycol (PEG)
• myocarditis and/or pericarditis attributed to a previous dose of the vaccine
• any other serious adverse event attributed to a previous dose of the vaccine.

For the most up to date information on Pfizer vaccine rollout please visit Comirnaty (Pfizer) information page on Department of Health website.

 

To save your time on the queue, you can help us to fill out patient consent form for COVID-19 vaccination