ACT clinicians

Latest ATAGI advice on COVID-19 vaccinations

A summary of COVID-19 vaccine clinical resources is available on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.

For public health alerts and advisories relating to COVID-19 and other threats to the health and wellbeing of Canberrans, see the ACT Chief Health Officer alerts.

Patients with severe needle phobia or other barriers to vaccination

People with severe needle phobia or other barriers to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination can be referred to the specialist COVID-19 vaccination service.

Referrals will be reviewed and the individual will be contacted to discuss a range of options to determine the best approach to vaccination.

This may be through the special vaccination clinic or other options within our services.

Referrals can be sent to:

The referral must include:

  • the rationale for the request
  • medical history

Anaphylaxis or specific allergies related to the COVID-19 vaccine

A dedicated COVID-19 vaccine allergy clinic at the Canberra Hospital operates for individuals with anaphylaxis or severe allergies.

This clinic assesses any patient who has had:

  • an anaphylactic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccination
  • immediate (within 4 hours) and generalised symptoms of a possible allergic reaction to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccination
  • generalised allergic reactions to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate 80 in the past, including medications used for bowel preparation, steroid joint injections
  • a prior history of anaphylaxis to vaccines or multiple drugs where polysorbate 80 or PEG may have been the cause.

Referrals should be directed to the Department of Immunology at the Canberra Hospital, by:

The referrals should include:

  • for allergic and anaphylactic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines
    • vaccine type
    • date of reaction
    • copy of adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) notification, if available
    • treatment required
    • copy of any discharge letter from treating hospital
    • vital signs taken at the time of reaction
    • a copy of any blood tests, in particular tryptase levels for suspected anaphylaxis
  • for previous allergic reactions to vaccine components PEG or polysorbate 80
    • a list of implicated medications
    • copy of any letters from previous specialist review
    • list of vaccinations given without incident

The paediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinic only accepts children

  • if they have had a proven anaphylaxis to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate 80 containing drugs/ vaccines
  • if they had a severe allergic reaction to their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
  • if they have significant behavioural concerns and have been unable to have their vaccination in the Access and Sensory Clinic

Following the review of the referral, advice about COVID-19 vaccination will be provided, including consideration for vaccination at the specialist COVID-19 vaccination service.

Patients with a history of severe allergy to foods, venom or medications, including latex, that don’t contain the listed excipients should be able to be vaccinated in the community.

Refer to the ATAGI clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccine in Australia for further information on specific allergies.

Reporting an adverse event following immunisation (AEFI)

An adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) is any untoward medical event that occurs after a vaccination has been given which may be related to the vaccine itself or to its handling or administration.

A conclusion regarding a causal relationship with the vaccine is not necessary to suspect or report an AEFI.

An AEFI is a notifiable condition under the ACT Public Health Act (1997).

All uncommon, unexpected or serious AEFI, or any event considered to be significant following immunisation, must be notified by medical practitioners or other health professionals to:

Routine notifications can be made during business hours.

For urgent advice after hours, contact the Immunisation Unit on (02) 5124 9800 and follow the prompts.

All notifications of AEFI received by ACT Health will be reported on to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Further information on reporting adverse events following immunisation is available on the ACT Health website.

Guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccination guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA has been developed jointly by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ).

Thrombosis with thrombocytopaenia (TTS) and pathways for advice and investigation in the ACT

Information on identifying, diagnosing and treating TTS after the COVID-19 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is available on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Pregnancy and getting the COVID-19 vaccine

The risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection are significantly higher for pregnant women and their unborn baby.

Therefore pregnant women should be routinely offered Pfizer mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty) or Spikevax (Moderna) at any stage of pregnancy.

Guidance around administering the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy, including recommendations for women who have already received a dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is available on the following links:

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

Last Updated: July 05 2023