Can you get COVID-19 from a COVID 19 vaccine?

You cannot get COVID-19 from a COVID-19 vaccine. 

To get COVID-19, a live virus that can multiply in your body has to infect you. No vaccine supplied currently in the world contains live coronavirus. 

Can Covid-19 Vaccines be co-administered with other vaccines (e.g. Influenza vaccine)?

Routine administration of a COVID-19 vaccine on the same day as another vaccine, including an influenza vaccine, is approved. It would be best if you could check with our staff first if you would like other vaccines. 

Can I have a COVID-19 vaccine if I am pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy?

COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for pregnancy. We encourage pregnant ladies to discuss with regarding the benefits and risks of the  vaccination. 

Women who are breastfeeding can have a COVID-19 vaccine, and they don’t need to stop breastfeeding after vaccination. 

Women who are planning pregnancy can have a COVID-19 vaccine, and they don’t need to avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination. 

Can I have COVID-19 vaccine if I am immunocompromised?

If you are immunocompromised, you are strongly recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you are taking an immune-weakening treatment (immunosuppressant/ immunomodulator), including chemotherapy, you should discuss the best timing of vaccination with your treating doctor. 

Can I have COVID-19 vaccine if I have allergies?

Almost all people with allergies can have a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people with food allergies, asthma or hayfever. 

People who have had anaphylaxis (a type of severe allergic reaction) to a particular COVID-19 vaccine, or to an ingredient of a COVID-19 vaccine, should not have another dose of that vaccine. 

For some people, precautions may be needed before vaccination, such as consulting an allergy specialist, being vaccinated in a facility which has medical staff and being observed for at least 30 minutes after vaccination.

This applies to people in the following groups:

• people who have had a suspected allergic reaction after a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine 
• people who have had an allergic reaction (but not anaphylaxis) to an ingredient of a COVID-19 vaccine
• people who have had anaphylaxis to other vaccines or to medications (including injectable or oral medications) where there may be common ingredients with a COVID-19 vaccine (such as polysorbate 80, an ingredient in COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca) 
• people who have a mast cell activation disorder.

Could the vaccine react with other medications? Do other medications need to be stopped to have COVID-19 vaccine?

In general, medication should not be stopped before having a vaccine, but there are a few situations in which people might be advised to either delay vaccination or delay a particular medication:

- Some people taking blood thinners (anticoagulants) may be advised to delay vaccination if there is a high risk of bleeding after the vaccine is injected. Most people on a stable dose of blood thinner will be able to receive the vaccine without any change to their medication.

- People taking immune-weakening treatments (immunosuppressants), including chemotherapy, should discuss the best timing of vaccination with their treating doctor. 

What are the likely side effects from COVID-19 Vaccines?

All vaccines can cause side effects. Usually these are mild. Clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines have reported side effects such as pain at the injection site, fever or muscle aches starting on the day or day after vaccination.  

 COVID-19 Vaccine can cause side effects that are usually mild to moderate, appear within the first day after vaccination and generally go away within a few days. The most common side effects include pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever. These side effects are temporary and go away without treatment in 1–2 days. 

What should I do if I have side effects after a COVID-19 vaccine?

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with side effects like pain, headache or fever. 

You should seek urgent medical assistance (e.g. by calling 000) if you think you are having a severe allergic reaction, such as if you are experiencing difficulty breathing, hives, lip swelling or feeling faint.

You should seek advice from your usual healthcare provider (e.g. GP) if you have any side effects that you are concerned about, or if your side effects have not gone away after a few days.

You can report potential side effects after vaccination to your state or territory health authority, or directly to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This will help the TGA collect information about adverse effects that occur after COVID-19 vaccination and detect any possible unexpected safety signals.

Why am I being given SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON?

SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON contains the active ingredients elasomeran and imelasomeran. It is a vaccine used as a booster dose to prevent COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals aged 18 years and older.

What should I know before I am given SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON?

You should not be given SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON if you have ever had an allergic reaction to SPIKEVAX (original) or SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Check with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before vaccination if you: have previously had a severe allergic reaction after any other vaccine injection or after you were given SPIKEVAX (original) in the past; have a very weak or poorly functioning immune system; have ever fainted following any needle injection; have a bleeding disorder; have a high fever or severe infection; have any serious illness; have anxiety related to injections.
Talk to your doctor if you have a weakened immune system, have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON should not be given to children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.

What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have recently received any other vaccine.

How will I be given SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON?

Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse will inject the vaccine into a muscle (intramuscular injection) in your upper arm. SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON may be given as a booster dose at least 3 months following a primary series and / or previous booster dose with SPIKEVAX (original) or another authorized / approved COVID-19 vaccine. A doctor, pharmacist or nurse will observe you for at least 15 minutes after being given SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON.

What should I know about being given SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON?
Things you should know
• As with any vaccine, SPIKEVAX BIVALENT ORIGINAL/OMICRON may not fully protect all those who receive it and it is not known how long you will be protected.
Driving or using machines
• Do not drive or use machines if you are feeling unwell after vaccination. Wait until any effects of the vaccine have worn off before you drive or use machines.

Are there any side effects of the Bivalent vaccine?
Common side effects include swelling in the underarm, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, joint aches, and stiffness, pain or swelling at the injection site, feeling very tired, chills, fever, rash, redness, or hives at the injection site.