COVID-19 immunisation

Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has made recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines, including:

• primary schedules, including mixed schedules
• booster doses
• considerations for special populations
• co-administration with other vaccines
• minimum valid dose schedules.

Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility tracker

COVID-19 vaccine doses and administration

Refer to the following information on COVID-19 vaccines that have been provisionally approved for use in Australia. Find out their dosage, volume, schedules and preparation:

• ATAGI guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccine brands, dosage and administration
• COVID-19 vaccines for use in Australia – A3 poster

COVID-19 vaccine contraindications and precautions

Learn about contraindications and precautions associated with each COVID-19 vaccine and extra precautions for certain groups.

COVID-19 vaccine adverse events

Immunisation providers must report any adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). Find out more about common and uncommon AEFI following Immunisation with COVID-19 vaccines.

Refer to Adverse Events following Immunisation (AEFI) reporting.

COVID-19 vaccine administration errors

Refer to the guiding principles on vaccine administration error management in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Learn how to avoid vaccine errors and establish practices that can identify report and manager vaccine errors. Refer to Vaccine error management.

Storage, handling and preparation of COVID-19 vaccines

Immunisation providers must store and handle all vaccines according to the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’.

Learn about additional storage and handing requirements for COVID-19 vaccines.

Preparation and use of multidose vials

Refer to Refer to Preparing the vaccine – vaccines in multidose vials.

Cold Chain Breach Management

All cold chain breaches involving COVID-19 vaccines must be reported to the Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) using the COVID-19 Cold Chain Breach reporting form.

In the event of a CCB, isolate the vaccines in the vaccine refrigerator, mark them 'do not use/do not discard' until you receive advice.

Report to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

It is mandatory to record all COVID-19 vaccinations given on the AIR. Ensure you use the correct brand name, dose number and batch number.

Refer to Services Australia for guidance on adding overseas COVID vaccines to the AIR.

Further information can be found in Using the Australian Immunisation Register

Authorised COVID-19 immunisers in Victoria

Nurse immunisers, pharmacist immunisers, intern pharmacist immunisers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner immunisers have been authorised to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in Victoria.