Vaccine Rollout Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Urgent enquiries

If you have an urgent enquiry please call Murray PHN t: 03 4408 5600

Join the rollout

Are EOIs still being accepted for general practices to administer COVID-19 vaccines?

Yes. EOIs can be submitted at any time to covax@murrayphn.org.au

Who is eligible

Who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccination?

People aged 5 and over are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccination is also recommended for children aged 6 months to under 5 years with severe immunocompromise, disability, and those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Clinical guidance is located here and this A3 poster outlines COVID-19 vaccines in Australia.

How can people access a COVID-19 vaccine without a Medicare card?

People without a Medicare card can access a free COVID-19 vaccine via a participating general practice or community pharmacy. GPs will not be able to claim through the MBS for individuals without a Medicare (or DVA) card and cannot charge individuals for a COVID-19 vaccine service. Information for patients here.

Can I vaccinate someone who has a COVID-19 infection?

All people should wait 6 months after a confirmed COVID-19 infection before they receive their next vaccine dose. More information here

A temporary medical exemption from COVID vaccination can be provided for people with a confirmed (by PCR or RAT test) COVID infection - ATAGI guidance

How do I provide proof of medical exemption?

Only the AIR Medical Exemption form can be used to provide people with proof of medical exemption to any vaccine requirements in Victoria.

See medical exemption to COVID-19 vaccination guidance

Which vaccines are recommended for each population group?

View the latest ATAGI recommended COVID-19 doses and vaccines here.

Running COVAX Clinics

What is the recommended observation time following COVID-19 vaccination?

ATAGI recommends that individuals who receive a COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of vaccine brand and dose number, should be observed for at least 15 minutes following vaccine administration at the clinic site, in accordance with the current recommendations in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Some people with specific allergies as outlined in the precautions section of the current ATAGI Clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers will require observation for at least 30 minutes following administration of a COVID-19 vaccine dose.

What if we aren't accepting new patients?

A new patient who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine should not be refused a vaccination appointment if there is one available.

How can we help our patients show proof of vaccination if they don't have access to a printer or internet?

People who are not able to access proof of COVID vaccination online through MyGov are able to call the Australian Immunisation Register and request to have this posted to them. Phone 1800 653 809 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm). The document may take up to 14 days to arrive.

Vaccine providers can print a person’s immunisation history statement or COVID-19 digital certificate from AIR as proof of immunisation. To download:

Expand the Immunisation Details section once you have found the individual
Select Generate Immunisation History Statement or Generate Immunisation Certificate(s) and print.

My general practice would like to update the contact details published on the Service Finder

Provider Connect Australia (PCA) is the platform used to update your site's listing on the Service Finder, including adding new vaccine types, changing contact details and opening hours, and enabling online bookings.

My general practice would like to withdraw from the roll-out.

If you wish to have a break from ordering and vaccinating, you don’t need to fully withdraw from the Program. You can remain in the program and recommence administering any time.
Please do not call the Vaccine Operations Centre to withdraw.

Prior to notifying covax@murrayphn.org.au follow these steps:

cancel any orders in progress either in CVAS if 'submitted' or by calling the VOC if 'In Progress'
ensure you have no stock on hand by administering or transferring remaining doses, or report remaining doses as wastage
complete final stock management report

More information is available in this factsheet.

My general practice would like to recommence COVID-19 vaccinations

Requesting changes to vaccine products or removing access to existing vaccines can be made in the COVID-19 Vaccine Administration System (CVAS).

Once advised that reactivation is confirmed, use the Provider Connect Australia (PCA) platform to update your site's listing on the Service Finder.

How do I access an interpreter?

The National Coronavirus Helpline (NCH) guarantees free interpreter assistance for multilingual callers. People with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have free access to COVID-19 information and support to find a vaccine appointment via 1800 020 080.

Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC)

Phone 1800 318 208

Opening hours

From Saturday 1 July 2023, VOC operating hours will move to normal business hours
arrangements. The new operating hours will be 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

Contact VOC for assistance with the following:

My cohort and/or site codes are not being accepted by the system.

My general practice has a query about a vaccine order / delivery date / vaccine stock management

My general practice would like to update its delivery details

Excess vaccine stock

Can we increase or decrease our dose allocation?

Sites are now able to place additional orders for vaccines in CVAS. A link will be visible on the Orders tab stating ‘If you are running low on stock and require additional doses, you can Request an Additional Order’. Then you can enter your requested vaccine product, number of doses and whether you require paired consumables to match the requested order.

Can we give excess doses to another vaccination site?

Yes. General practices, respiratory clinics, pharmacies and ACCHOs may choose to transfer vaccines from one participating/approved vaccination site to another for a range of reasons, including:

to support unmet demand at another site,
an oversupply of vaccine stock on hand, or
unused stock following withdrawal from the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

Primary care COVID-19 vaccine providers can transfer excess vaccine stock to another participating/approved site, as long as both sites agree to the transfer, cold chain integrity is maintained and the transfer is recorded in CVAS.

Contact providers in your geographic area first to see if a transfer can be made locally. Refer to the list of primary care COVID-19 vaccine providers on the Murray PHN COVAX webpage to locate a site for the transfer – vaccination clinics by region. Email covax@murrayphn.org.au if assistance is required.

For advice on cold chain management and use of coolers/eskys, see National vaccine storage guidelines resource collection "Strive for Five" - Australian Government

Do I have to report expired doses?

Yes. In the event that your doses have expired, please:

Refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Training which provides details on how to dispose of vaccines, and;
Report wastage of 10 vials or more via a 'major wastage' report through CVAS within 2 hours of the incident
Report wastage of less than 10 vials in your Vaccine Stock Management Report

Other enquiries might be addressed in Murray HealthPathways COVID-19 pathways

Priority Groups

People with Disability

How can Disability service providers get help to engage a local primary care provider for in-reach services to people with disability living in residential accommodation?

Disability service providers may contact Murray PHN by emailing covax@murrayphn.org.au to request support to engage a local primary care provider that can provide in-reach services. Alternatively, complete this referral form.
More information for people with disability is available on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Enquiries can also be sent to DisabilityCovidVaccineDelivery@health.gov.au

Is there support available for homebound individuals?

Vulnerable people who are unable to leave home may include individuals:
- with an injury, chronic health issue or frailty affecting mobility
- with moderate to severe physical or psychosocial disability (this could include people with a social anxiety who cannot leave their home)
- with moderate to severe mental health or behavioural issues not otherwise classified as a psychosocial disability
- who reside in a single, in-dwelling setting and are confined to the home
To seek support in accessing COVID-19 and influenza vaccines for homebound individuals, complete this referral form.
For further information, contact covax@murrayphn.org.au

What support is available to increase accessibility of my practice for people with disability to access COVID-19 vaccination?

General practices can access support and resources from Disability Liaison Officers to enable people with disability to access COVID-19 vaccination at their practice. For more information see our Running covax clinics webpage.

In-reach and off-site clinics

Our general practice is already vaccinating and would like to explore opportunities for in-reach clinics at local residential aged care or disability residential facilities.

Remote supervision items (MBS items 93600 and 93661) are available to ensure access to boosters for those unable to attend a vaccination site. The items allow an appropriately qualified health professional (such as a nurse or Aboriginal Health Worker) to conduct a COVID-19 Vaccine Suitability Assessment on behalf of a General Practitioner (GP) or Other Medical Practitioner (OMP). View details in this DoHAC factsheet and MBS items summary.

If your pharmacy or general practice is able to provide in-reach clinics, please let Murray PHN know e: covax@murrayphn.org.au

General non-urgent enquiries
Email covax@murrayphn.org.au

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Page last updated 26 June 2023

Vaccine Rollout FAQs