COVID-19 vaccine rollout
The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service COVID-19 vaccination rollout began in March 2021 in the Torres Strait, due to the risk of COVID–19 spreading from Papua New Guinea.
The vaccine is available at all of our healthcare facilities. It is free, voluntary and is our best defence against COVID-19.
Two vaccine doses—plus booster dose when you are eligible—are recommended for maximum protection.
Book my COVID-19 vaccination
There are two ways to book your COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
- book at your local health facility
- simply walk in!
Vaccinations are available from all hospitals and PHCCs in the Torres Strait, Cape York and NPA for everyone aged 5 and over.
Who can get the vaccine?
Everyone in our communities aged 5 years and over is eligible.
COVID-19 Pfizer booster doses are available who had a COVID-19 vaccine dose at least 3 months (12 weeks) ago. All booster doses will be the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine – even for those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Pregnant women are recommended to receive a COVD-19 vaccination as soon as possible, at any stage in their pregnancy, due to the increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and adverse outcomes during pregnancy.
If you have already had your first AstraZeneca vaccine dose with no serious side effects, you can get your second dose.
Fourth vaccination dose
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) now recommends a fourth dose of COVID–19 vaccine – either Pfizer or Moderna – for the following groups:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older
- Adults aged 65 years and older
- Residents of aged care or disability care facilities
- People aged 16 years and older who are severely immunocompromised (dose 5)
The fourth dose may be administered from four months after the 3rd dose, or 4th dose for immunocompromised people, or four months after recovery from a COVID-19 infection.
The fourth dose vaccine is now available from your local primary health care centre or vaccination clinic.
Vaccination post COVID-19
People who have had COVID-19 are recommended to wait three months before receiving their next vaccination.
Get proof of my COVID-19 vaccination
- Your immunisation history statement or COVID-19 digital certificate are proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.
- It can take up to 10 days after your COVID-19 vaccination for it to appear on the register.
- There are a number of online and offline ways you can get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination.
- Medicare online account through myGov
- Express Plus Medicare mobile app
- If you cannot get proof online, you can:
- request a printed immunisation history statement at your local health facility
- call the Australian Immunisation Register and ask for your statement to be sent you. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the post.
- Once you’ve had all your required doses, you can add your COVID-19 digital certificate to your digital wallet. You can also add your digital certificate to a state or territory check in app.
Who can I ask for more details about the vaccine?
Please contact your local healthcare facility or GP to discuss your personal situation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
You can visit COVID-19 vaccine | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) or read the latest announcements about COVID-19 and up-to-date advice from the Australian Government.
