HHMP Vaccine Clinic: 2022 COVID-19 & Influenza (Flu)
Pfizer Simplified Eligibility
- Age from 5 years and up (different dose for 5-12 years)
- Established safety and efficacy with >1 Billion doses given!
- Currently approved for primary course and booster doses
Boosters, Boosters... Boosters!
- For those above 18
- 3+ Months after COVID-19 Infection
- 3+ Months after previous booster
- Especially important for those at high risk
We are a vaccination provider
Having a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine protects our community against coronavirus. ATAGI recommendations had been for everyone above 12 to be vaccinated unless specific contraindications exist. From January 2022 Children from 5-12 became eligible. COVID-19 vaccines help prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19.
During Flu season an Influenza vaccine helps decrease Influenza risk. They are free for everyone in Australia. Flu vaccination is free for those over 65, under 5, pregnant women and those with serious medical conditions.
Hunters Hill Medical Practice is an approved COVID-19 and flu vaccine provider. We have capacity of offer both the Pfizer (from 5 years of age up ) and Novavax (from 18 years if age and up) COVID-19 vaccines. Bookings can be made for the vaccine clinic using the BOOK NOW buttons or by calling 9817 2080.
Boosters, 3rd & 4th doses
The primary course of vaccination and booster dosing depends on your immune status.
- General Population: All adults (above 18 years of age) with normal immune systems will need 2 primary doses and a booster 3 months later. Those above 30 years can have a 2nd booster (4th shot) 3 months after that.
- Immunocompromised: Patients over 12 years of age with poor immune function due to medical conditions or medications will need 3 doses as part of their primary course (instead of the 2 for the general population) and then a 1st booster (4th shot) 3 months later and a 2nd booster (5th shot) 3 months after that. A good way to understand this is that in the immunocompromised you need 3 doses to give the same level of immunity that those with a normal immune system can achieve with the initial 2 doses.
If you are unsure, please book a consult to discuss with your doctor.
How vaccines work
How to stay informed
Vaccine rollout
COVID-19 vaccinations are voluntary and free.
It is important for everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. It is especially important for high risk groups such as those listed below:
- All patients over 70 years of age
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- Patients above 12 years with serious medical conditions
- Health care workers
- Adults with a disability
- Critical and high risk workers eg: police, fire
For those who have completed their primary vaccination course (General population = 2 doses; immunocompromised = 3 doses) we can offer them an appropriate booster (General population = 3rd and 4th doses; immunocompromised = 4th and 5th dose) as required.
If you are ready to book, you can book online using the “Book Now” buttons or by calling us.
Different vaccines, different timing
Pfizer COVID-19 doses 1 and 2 given 3 weeks apart (up to 8 weeks).
Novavax COVID-19 doses 1 and 2 given 4 weeks apart (not an mRNA vaccine).
Moderna COVID-19 doses 1 and 2 given 4 weeks apart (only available at pharmacies).
Influenza / Flu vaccine is only 1 dose and given during the influenza season.
Preparing for your vaccination
Before your vaccination appointment, you should make sure your details are up to date with Medicare. This is very important as the vaccine data from our system is uploaded to the national system each night and if your data is incorrect, it may take longer for your vaccination to become visible.
Please click the BOOK NOW button to find an appointment. When you see an appointment online, there is a dose reserved for that appointment.
Current HHMP patients, already have details on file. We would appreciate it if you could please review, download, print, complete and bring with you the consent form available below.
New patients to HHMP, welcome. Please do the following:
- Book online and complete your details; or download below.
- Bring with you a health summary from your current GP.
- Preferably, review, download, print, complete and bring with you the consent form available below.
Please call us ASAP and reschedule your appointment if:
- you are feeling unwell with fever, cough, runny nose or other COVID-19 symptoms
- you are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or have tested positive for COVID-19
- if you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19
- if you are in quarantine
- IF YOU HAVE TESTED POSITIVE TO COVID, PLEASE CALL US AND DELAY YOUR VACCINE BY AT LEAST 1 MONTH.
VACCINE CLINIC IS NOT A NORMAL CONSULT
COVID-19 or Flu vaccination at the HHMP vaccine clinic are by pre-booked appointments only. Due to the vaccine being delivered in multi-dose vials, your usual GP will not have access to the COVID-19 vaccine in their rooms.
By its nature, a vaccine clinic is about safely vaccinating the highest number of people as quickly as possible. The vaccine clinic is for people who are ready for vaccination; to check eligibility and get vaccinated safely.
The vaccine clinic is not for long discussions about vaccination generally or specific news media report or repeat scripts or quick referrals etc. If you are unsure about your readiness to be vaccinated, we understand that and believe you should have your questions fully answered by the doctor you most trust. So, please make an appointment to see your usual GP at HHMP or elsewhere. After all your questions are addressed, we welcome you to book into our vaccine clinic.
This speed of the vaccine clinic is also relevant for children’s vaccines. Please make sure that you and your child are ready for them to be vaccinated before attending the clinic in order to ensure a safe, timely and minimally distressing experience for you and your child.
Children 5-12 COVID-19 vaccination
Children aged 5-12 will be able to be vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. A special formulation with one third of the adult dose and a longer interval between doses (8 weeks instead of 3) has been approved. This has been shown to be more than 90% effective in studies around the world.
The vaccine has been extensively tested worldwide before it was approved in Australia. It was felt that the combination of the lower dose and the longer interval between doses helped to mitigate the side effects. Vaccination for the 5-12 age group will occur on specific days and in specific sessions only. This is done to make sure there is doctor at the vaccination room and to prevent the risk of error or incorrect vaccines being administered.
Please remember the vaccine clinic runs to strict timing to be able to get through the highest number of kids safely and efficiently. If you are unsure about vaccinating your child please discuss this with your doctor. When you attend the vaccine clinic please make sure both you and your child are ready for vaccination. Simple things can help for example short sleeve shirts, completion of the consent form beforehand, discussing any questions with your doctor and only 1 parent attending to maximise social distancing.
THE FOLLOWING CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED AT THE VACCINE CLINIC
- Vaccination in GP rooms as vaccine comes in multi-dose vials
- Vaccination for those who do not meet eligibility criteria
- Vaccination for new patients without a health summary from their usual GP (this is needed for safety)
- Medical certificates
- Scripts
- Referrals
- Messages to your doctor for scripts or referrals
- Home visits for COVID-19 vaccination
At the COVID-19 vaccine clinic
Vaccination will mostly occur on the first floor at the COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Stairs from Ryde Road and a lift from the Ryde Road side of the practice are available to the vaccine clinic. All entrances are well signposted and you simply need to follow the Orange arrows. There will be no need to attend downstairs at all, simply go upstairs and follow the signs to the Vaccination Hub.
At the vaccination hub you will be greeted by our vaccine clinic administrator who will make sure all your paperwork is ready. She will then direct you to a waiting area to wait for our nurses. Consent and vaccination will occur in a private room before your follow-up appointments are made and you are directed to a post-vaccination waiting and observation area.
After your vaccination
Following vaccination, you will need to be monitored for possible reactions.
- 15 minutes for most patients
- 30 minutes for those with allergies or at higher risk
Based on your risk profile, our nurse will set a timer for your post-vaccine wait. During this time, you will not be able to leave the vaccine hub due to the need for monitoring. Information will be available in multiple locations around the vaccine clinic regarding side effects and symptoms you need to monitor for.
When your wait time is over, you will be given a post-vaccination information sheet and your vaccine card which includes appointments for further doses. We expect the whole process at the vaccine clinic to take between 30-60 minutes. You are then welcome to go home.
COVID-19 vaccine is free
The vaccine is government funded and thus free. As such, there is no need to go downstairs for payment. Once you have completed your post vaccine waiting period at the vaccine clinic, you can simply proceed home. Those without Medicare cards can have free COVID-19 vaccinations at respiratory clinics.
Flu vaccine is free for eligible people
The vaccine is government funded and free to those over 65, under 5, pregnant women or those with serious chronic conditions (gov. criteria). Those who don’t fit the above criteria are considered private and will pay $30 at the vaccine clinic. The Influenza (Flu) vaccination will also occur upstairs at the vaccine clinic.
POST VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects are not uncommon following any vaccination. These are usually minor and normally resolve within a few days. Please see the “After your vaccine” information sheet on the right.
Recently there has been rare but serious reports of significant blood clots from 4-20 days after vaccination. If you have serious headaches, abdominal pains or any other discomfort that does not resolve quickly please make an appointment to see your doctor and inform them of your concerns and recent vaccination.
You can use the COVID-19 vaccine side effects symptom checker if you have concerns about any symptoms after your vaccine. The checker is also available through the National Coronavirus Helpline, 1800 020 080, 24 hours a day.
DO YOU NEED AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR DOCTOR?
If you are unsure about getting the COVID-19 vaccine or are worried about side effects after vaccination, ask your doctor for advice. Please book online or call us if you would like to make an appointment.
REPORTING COVID-19 SIDE EFFECTS TO THE TGA
If you think a COVID-19 vaccine has caused a side effect, you can report it. Reports of suspected side effects help the TGA monitor COVID-19 vaccine safety. Please visit the TGA website to find out how.
PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES
WHICH VACCINE?
ARE YOU BETWEEN 5-12 YEARS OLD?
You are only eligible for the Pfizer mRNA children’s formulation vaccine. Pfizer is available at HHMP. If you are unsure about vaccination, please book an appointment to see your doctor or if you are ready to be vaccinated please make an appointment in the vaccine clinic via the BOOK NOW button.
ARE YOU OVER 12 YEARS OLD?
You are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine for primary course and booster. In Certain circumstances such as previous reactions to the Pfizer vaccine the AstraZeneca vaccine may be used.
If you are considering getting vaccinated now but are unsure about your vaccination choices, please book an appointment with your doctor to discuss the risks vs benefits and make an informed decision. If you are ready to be vaccinated with AstraZeneca or Pfizer, please make a booking at the vaccine clinic using the BOOK NOW button or by calling reception.
