Vic COVID-19 Update: Vaccine eligibility
What you need to know
- Individuals over 18 who have received a second COVID vaccine four or more months ago, are now eligible for a third dose
- Disability providers can support participants to access a third or fourth (for severely immunocompromised individuals) vaccination through a Disability Liaison Officer
- Vaccination bookings for children aged 5 to 11 years are available from 10 January
- Extra support for children with specialist requirements is available through Victoria’s Disability Liaison Officer team.
Disability service providers can now encourage and support eligible staff to receive their third COVID vaccination booster to protect themselves and continue to do the important work of supporting and caring for people with disability.
Providers can also support participants to access their third or fourth (for severely immunocompromised individuals) vaccination.
Booster eligibility
All individuals over 18 years who have received a second dose of a COVID vaccine four or more months ago, are now eligible for their third dose.
Pfizer and Moderna are both TGA approved options as a booster, while Astra Zeneca is also an approved option for a third COVID vaccination dose, if you have received it previously or for medical reasons.
Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 is advised to wait until they have recovered before booking their third dose.
Any concerns regarding COVID vaccines should be discussed with a GP.
Booking options include:
- Book at a Victorian vaccination centre using the online booking system (learn more about how to use the system).
- The Australian Government clinic finder for local pharmacy, GP or other primary health provider.
Disability providers can support participants to access a third or fourth (for severely immunocompromised individuals) vaccination through a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who will arrange the most appropriate vaccination provider to meet participant needs.
Residential services that received initial Commonwealth support can enquire about the timeline for third or fourth doses by emailing the COVID-19 vaccine disability team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contacting the Disability Liaison Officers team.
Supporting children to be vaccinated
Children aged 5 to 11 years can now be vaccinated from 10 January 2022, with bookings available for all children to receive at least one dose before they return to school, and their second dose before the end of Term 1 2022.
Vaccines for this age group are one third of the adult dose and delivered through two appointments, eight weeks apart. The interval can be shortened to a minimum of 3 weeks in special circumstances:
- as part of an outbreak response
- before the start of significant immunosuppression, or
- before international travel.
Find out more about COVID-19 vaccines for children.
Disability Liaison Officer support for children with disabilities
Extra support for children with specialist requirements is available through Victoria’s Disability Liaison Officer team.
Providers can support Parents of children with disability needing extra assistance to access a vaccination through a Disability Liaison Officer who can help make the process easier. Contact can be made through the DLO online referral form or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Accessible state-run hubs
There will also be selected Victorian vaccination centres with enhanced accessibility, including on-site hearing augmentation devices and communication tools.
Additional visual aids and other supports including nature and animal themed vaccination clinics will also be available for children to attend.
Drive-through clinics
Drive through vaccinations are also available by booking online or by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.Useful links:
- COVID-19 vaccination social scripts (Autism resource) - Amaze
- Sesame Street: The ABCs of COVID Vaccines - YouTube
- Needle phobia - The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC)
- Tips to help a child afraid of needles and stop it becoming a phobia - ABC Everyday
- Translated information about COVID-19 vaccines - Coronavirus Victoria
