VACCINATIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
LATEST FAQ COVID19 vaccinations
Comirnaty (Pfizer) is approved for use in people aged 5 years and over.
The TGA provisionally approved Pfizer for use in Australia on 25 January 2021 (for 16 years and over), 22 July 2021 (for 12 years and over) and 5 December 2021 (for 5 years and over).
The TGA has also provisionally approved the Pfizer vaccine for use as a booster for people aged 16 and 17. ATAGI will provide recommendations about boosters for this age group shortly.
The Pfizer vaccine is currently available as a:
- first and second dose for people aged 5 years and over
- third dose for people aged 5 years and over with severe immunocompromise
- booster for people aged 18 years and over.
PPM is providing all Pfizer vaccinations to all of these groups in line with ATAGI guidelines.
You can check your eligibility here:
We can provide you a consultation about your individual health risks associated with receiving a COVID19 vaccine.
Booking Online
Consent
If you book an appointment by phone you can download the consent form here.
PPM COVID Vaccination Consent Form
Pfizer
Information on COVID-19 Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine
Last updated: 24 December 2021
About the vaccine
Comirnaty (Pfizer) is a vaccine that can prevent people from becoming ill from COVID-19. Two doses are required initially (called the primary course). These 2 doses are usually given
3-6 weeks apart. In special circumstances the interval may be longer. The Pfizer vaccine can also be used for a booster dose in people aged 18 years and older. The booster dose is given
4 months or more after the primary course.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine does not contain any live virus, and it cannot give you COVID-19. It contains the genetic code for an important part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called the spike protein. After getting the vaccine, your body makes copies of the spike protein. Your immune system will then learn to recognise and fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. The body breaks down the genetic code quickly.
Vaccination is voluntary and free. You can discuss any concerns or questions you have about COVID-19 vaccination with your immunisation provider or your GP before you receive the vaccine.
Benefits of the vaccine
A very large clinical trial showed that Pfizer is effective in preventing COVID-19 in people aged 12 years and older. People who had two doses of Pfizer were about 95 per cent less likely to get symptomatic COVID-19 than people who did not get the vaccine. It was equally effective in people over the age of 65 years, as well as people with some stable pre-existing medical conditions.
Protection against COVID-19 starts from about 2-3 weeks after the first dose. While one dose may give some protection, it may only last for the short-term. Two doses will give improved protection. No vaccine is 100 per cent effective, so it is possible that you can still get sick from COVID-19 after vaccination.
SARS-CoV-2 could potentially still infect a vaccinated person. Even if they have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, they could still pass it on to others. However, the COVID-19 vaccines currently used in Australia are effective in reducing the likelihood of a vaccinated person transmitting the virus to close contacts if the person is infected.
This is why after vaccination it is important to continue other preventative measures like:
- physical distancing
- hand washing
- wearing a face mask
- COVID-19 testing and quarantine/isolation as required in Victoria.
Click here for more about Pfizer
Click here for FAQ After you have had your Pfizer vaccination
AstraZeneca
Information on COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
Last updated: 5 January 2022
About
Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) can prevent people from becoming ill from COVID-19. Two doses are required as part of the primary course. These 2 doses are usually given 4-12 weeks apart. The AstraZeneca vaccine can also be used as an additional booster dose, 4 months or more after the primary course, although Pfizer or Moderna are preferred for this booster.
This vaccine does not contain any live SARS-CoV-2 virus and cannot give you COVID-19.
It contains the genetic code for an important part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called the spike protein. This code is inserted into a harmless common cold virus (an adenovirus), which brings it into your cells. Your body then makes copies of the spike protein, and your immune system learns to recognise and fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The adenovirus has been modified so that it cannot replicate once it is inside cells. This means it cannot spread to other cells and cause infection.
Vaccination is voluntary and free. You can discuss any concerns or questions you have about COVID-19 vaccination with your immunisation provider and/or your GP before you receive the vaccine.
Benefits of vaccination
AstraZeneca protects people from becoming ill from COVID-19. It particularly prevents severe illness, hospitalisation and death. The vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in both clinical trials (before it was registered for use) and in studies of people vaccinated in the ‘real world’ in England and Scotland.
COVID-19 is a very serious disease which can cause serious illness in people of all ages. It has caused millions of deaths and hundreds of millions of infections worldwide. Vaccination helps protect both individual people and benefits all people in the community by reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Click here for more about AstraZeneca
Click here for FAQ After your AstraZeneca vaccination
Scheduled vaccination program
For Patients:
PPM provides a comprehensive program of scheduled vaccinations including:
- Childhood
- Adolescent
- Pregnancy
- Aged
- Influenza vaccination clinics
For Health Professionals:
We also provide a comprehensive staff vaccination and immunity surveillance service for health professionals, clinical staff and laboratory staff at risk of occupational exposure. We offer vaccination services and clinics for a range of employers in the health, hospitals, aged care and and educational institutions.
For Employers:
We can design a staff vaccination service for any employer, large or small, from a range of industries. For any employer enquiries, please contact our Practice Manager for further information on 9342 7390.
booking an appointment
Book an appointment online by clicking the link below.
Alternatively call us during business hours on
03 9342 7390
Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Closed weekends and public holidays.
Phone
Location
1F Royal Parade
Parkville VIC 3052
We are located at street level, Royal Parade entrance, Melbourne Private Hospital Building
Clinic Hours
MON - FRI: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Closed on weekends and public holidays
Acknowledgement of Country
Parkville Precinct Medical respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples as the Traditional owners of the land in which we work. PPM extends respect to the people of the Kulin nation and all Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise those whose ongoing efforts to protect and promote First Nations cultures will leave a lasting legacy for future Elders and leaders.
We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.