Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against infectious diseases—when you get vaccinated, your immune system is trained to recognise and fight against specific viruses like coronavirus.
Not only are you protecting yourself when you get vaccinated, but you’re also helping protect the whole community, which is why it’s important to understand when and where you can get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Perth.
To make it easy for you, we’ve put all the information from the Australian Government’s Department Of Health regarding the COVID vaccine in this article.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in Perth, including the latest news about Perth's walk-in clinic.
When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccination?
According to the West Australian Government, the following people are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine:
- As of 20 September, adults aged 60 and above are eligible for the Pfizer vaccination
- As of 13 September, children aged 12-15 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccination
- As of 16 August, adults aged 16-29 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccination
- As of 9 August, adults aged 30-39 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccination
You can check your eligibility and book now via VaccinateWA.
This is in addition to the following people, who were already eligible for vaccination:
- All adults aged 40 and over
- Quarantine and border workers
- Health care workers
- Aged care and disability care residents and staff
- People aged 16 and over with an underlying medical condition or significant disability
- Critical and high risk workers aged 16 and over including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing.
- Individuals with an Australian Border Force outwards travel exemption in an eligible category
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 to 49
- NDIS participants aged 16 years and over, and unpaid and informal carers of NDIS participants of any age
- Temporary visa holders aged under 50 years who are currently in Australia and have been approved for return travel to Australia through the travel exemption process
- Adults aged 18-29 can also choose to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine
You can also check your eligibility with the Vaccine Eligibility Checker here.
How Can I Book A COVID-19 Vaccination?
Register And Walk In
- As of this week, you can now take advantage of the thousands of walk-in vaccination appointments available.
- Head to VaccinateWA to register.
- Pop into the walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre between 10am and 5pm—no booking required.
Booking Online
- Head to VaccinateWA to sign up.
- Enter your details and follow the prompts.
- If you are eligible, you will be able to make an appointment.
- You will book in for your second dose at the first appointment.
Booking By Phone
- You can call 13 COVID (13 26843) between 8am and 6pm seven days a week. Select option 1 for the WA Vaccination Booking line.
- Booking over the phone will take 5-10 minutes and you'll just need a few personal details, and preferably you're Medicare card.
Where Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccination?
Current West Australian vaccination clinic locations include:
- Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre COVID-19 vaccination community clinic
- Claremont Showgrounds COVID-19 vaccination community clinic
- Perth Airport COVID-19 vaccination community clinic
- Lakeside Joondalup COVID-19 vaccination community clinic
- Kwinana Supa Centre COVID-19 vaccination community clinic
- Bunbury COVID-19 vaccination community clinic
You are still able to have your vaccination at participating GPs as well. Here's how to find you're nearest one:
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Go to the Vaccine Eligibility Checker and click Check my eligibility.
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Go through the questionnaire and enter all the relevant information.
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Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, if you are eligible to book, you’ll be able to view clinic locations based on the location you enter and book online or by phone. If you're not eligible, you will be instructed to try and book at another time.
Which COVID-19 Vaccination Will I Receive?
Pfizer
The number of Pfizer sites across the country will increase as more doses arrive in Australia. Because the Pfizer vaccine is a little harder to transport, store and deliver, right now it is only provided to eligible adults under the age of 60 through Commonwealth and state and territory clinics. For people under 30, only those in priority groups are currently eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
Make sure to check your eligibility to receive the Pfizer vaccine with the Vaccine Eligibility Checker here.
What's In The Pfizer Vaccine?
The Queensland government has created this guide explaining what exactly is in the Pfizer vaccine and you can check it out here.
Potential Risks
Most Australians can safely receive the Pfizer vaccine. You should talk to your doctor before being vaccinated if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, if you are taking any other medicines or if you have recently received any other vaccine.
AstraZeneca
The AstraZeneca vaccine is available at Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics, participating general practices, Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services, and state-run vaccination clinics. The AstraZeneca vaccine is currently being prioritised for people aged 60 years and over, due to its potential risks in people under 60.
Make sure to check your eligibility to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine with the Vaccine Eligibility Checker here.
What's In The AstraZeneca Vaccine?
The Queensland government has created this guide explaining what exactly is in the AstraZeneca vaccine and you can check it out here.
Potential Risks
There seems to be an increased risk of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) following the AstraZeneca vaccine in people under 60 years—thrombosis means blood clots, and thrombocytopenia means low platelet levels. TTS can cause serious long-term disability or death if not recognised and treated quickly, but the chances of developing TTS after the AstraZeneca vaccine may occur in around 4-6 people in every million after being vaccinated. You can get all the details around the AstraZeneca risks here.
If you're aged 18-59 years, you can choose to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine:
- following an appropriate assessment of suitability by a qualified health professional; and
- if you provide verbal or written consent.
What If There Are No Clinics Or Appointments In My Area?
According to health.gov.au, more appointments will become available as more clinics come on board, and more vaccines become available. People are encouraged to continue to check the vaccine clinic finder each week if they cannot secure a suitable appointment at this stage.
What Happens After I Get Vaccinated For COVID-19?
Even after you are vaccinated, it’s important to follow COVID-safe measures, which include:
- testing
- contact tracing
- quarantine
- isolation
To continue to protect others, you still need to:
- practise good hygiene
- practise physical distancing
- follow the limits for public gatherings
- understand how to isolate if you need to
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, we recommend you check out the Australian Government's Department of Health website here.
Image credit: Seb Reivers