Information for healthcare professionals

COVID-19 vaccination program rollout

Northern Queensland PHN is supporting the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination program rollout, working closely with healthcare providers and all levels of government, as well as other key partners in health, to ensure a successful vaccine rollout across our region.

Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine (July 2021)

Latest COVID vaccine updates from NQPHN

Subscribe to receive COVID-19 Vaccine Updates for GPs by clicking here.

Subscribe to receive COVID-19 Vaccine Updates for RACFs by clicking here.

General practice

20 July 2021 — COVID-19: GP alert – confirmed case in Mareeba
14 July 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #40 (14 July 2021) – ATAGI statement | Pfizer | Transfers | PPE
6 July 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #39 (6 July 2021) – Telehealth extension | MBS | Interchangeability | PIP | Videos
1 July 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #38 (1 July 2021) – Latest | PPE | Cairns clinic | Patients aged 60+
28 June 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #37 (28 June 2021) – Pfizer vaccine EOI | DoH provider bulletin | Influenza vaccine exemptions
23 June 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #36 (23 June 2021) – Public Health Alert | MBS items | Vaccine reminder | CDNA
18 June 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #35 (18 June 2021) – ATAGI advice | Adverse events | Resources
17 June 2021 — COVID-19: Urgent ATAGI advice – AZ vaccine now only for aged 60 and over
10 June 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #34 (10 June 2021) – Qld latest | ATAGI | Pregnant women | Resources
9 June 2021 — COVID-19: Public health alert: Confirmed case – Sunshine Coast (9 June 2021)
4 June 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #33 (4 June 2021) – VIC/NSW | RACF & disability | Expansion | CDNA
28 May 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #32 (28 May 2021) – Victoria | EOI final reminder | 40-49yos
27 May 2021 — COVID-19: URGENT EOI – join the COVID-19 vaccination program (deadline Monday 31 May)
24 May 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #31 (24 May 2021) – CMO letter | ATAGI/THANZ statement | GP talking points
21 May 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #30 (21 May 2021) – CDNA | Over 50s | Directions | Missed doses
14 May 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #29 (14 May 2021) – ATAGI guidelines | New Direction
12 May 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #28 (12 May 2021) – Department bulletin | Aged care | Missed doses | New resources
5 May 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #27
24 April 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #26 – Important update from Department of Health
21 April 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #25 – AZ vaccine info sheets + patient resources
15 April 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #24 – Restrictions | CHO | Survey | Consent | ACCHOs
13 April 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #23 – Amended Adverse Event (AEFI) Reporting Form
12 April 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #22 – Latest Govt advice on AZ vaccine | Updated consent form
9 April 2021 — COVID-19: Important changes to the COVID-19 vaccination program
8 April 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #21 (8 April 2021) – Department bulletin | Immunisation | Doses | Eligibility Checker
7 April 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine GP update #20 (7 April 2021) – Queries and messaging | CHO Direction | Dosage cards
6 April 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #19 (6 April 2021) – ATAGI update: Specific clotting condition | New Qld Govt testing advice
1 April 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #18 (1 April 2021) – Brisbane lockdown | QH EOI update | Resources | Webinar
31 March 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #17 (31 March 2021) – CHO | PPE | RACF staff vacc | Resources
29 March 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #16 (29 March 2021) – Brisbane lockdown | Aged care | Clinic Finder | FAQs | HealthPathways
24 March 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #15 (24 March 2021) – Useful COVID vaccine resources for your practice
23 March 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #14 (23 March 2021) – New resources | Media | AZ vaccine | FAQs | HHSs role
19 March 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #13 (19 March 2021) – Common FAQs | Anaphylaxis | Useful messaging
17 March 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #12 (17 March 2021) – Week 1 rollout | Preparation pack | Consent form | Practice resources
16 March 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #11 (16 March 2021) – FAQs for practices not participating in the initial phase 1b rollout
11 March 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #10 (11 March 2021) – EOIs | Webinar & FAQs | Preparation pack | First Nations | CHO
5 March 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #9 (5 March 2021) – Update on DoH EOI process | Vaccine storage | Advertising COVID-19 vaccines to the Australian public
26 February 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #8 (26 February 2021) – EOI update | Q&A webinar update
23 February 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccination rollout webinar for northern Queensland general practices
19 February 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccination rollout webinar for northern Queensland general practices
17 February 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #7 (17 February 2021) – EOI update | COVID-19 vaccine resources and updates from the DoH | COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in
10 February 2021 — COVID-19: GP Update (10 February 2021) – Department of Health General Practice COVID-19 update webinar being held tomorrow
9 February 2021 — COVID-19: GP Update (9 February 2021) – Vaccination Training Program | AIR
5 February 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #6 (5 February 2021) - EOI now closed
1 February 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #5 (1 February 2021) - EOI closing date extended | FAQs version two
29 January 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #4 (29 January 2021) - EOI closing soon | Surge workforce | COVID-19 vaccine training
28 January 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #3 (28 January 2021) - Vaccine roll-out EOI FAQs | EOI closing soon
22 January 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #2 - 22 January 2021
20 January 2021 — COVID-19: Vaccine update #1 - 20 January 2021
12 January 2021 — COVID-19: GP Update (12 January 2021) – Australia's Epidemiology and COVID-19 Vaccine Roadmap | Easing of Greater Brisbane restrictions
6 January 2021 — COVID-19: GP Update (6 January 2021) – EOI COVID-19 Vaccination Service Providers | Update to directions | Border restriction update
24 December 2020 — COVID-19: GP Update (24 December 2020) – COVID-19 Public Health Alert no 20 | COVID vaccination EOI | Extension of GPRC testing: asymptomatic patients
22 December 2020 — COVID-19: GP Update (22 December 2020) – Screening and quarantine information | Border restrictions | Respiratory clinic testing | Vaccine uptake

Aged care and community care

22 July 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (22 July 2021)
14 July 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (14 July 2021)
7 July 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (7 July 2021)
1 July 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (1 July 2021)
17 June 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (17 June 2021)
10 June 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (10 June 2021)
31 May 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (31 May 2021)
28 May 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (28 May 2021)
13 May 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (13 May 2021) - Department of Health e-lert
29 April 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (29 April 2021) - Department of Health e-lert
22 April 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (22 April 2021) - Aged Care Direction | Department update
16 April 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (16 April 2021) - New Department of Health advice for RACFs
9 April 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (9 April 2021) - New Department advice for RACFs – AZ vaccine
8 April 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (8 April 2021) - Department update | Aged Care Direction | Resources
6 April 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Vaccine Update (6 April 2021) - Updated advice | Scheduling | Resources
31 March 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Update (31 March 2021) - Vaccine access for RACF staff | Flu vaccine guidelines | Webinar | Resources
29 March 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Update (29 March 2021) - Brisbane lockdown - updated advice for all RACFs
26 March 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Update (26 March 2021) - Reminder: DoH webinar (1pm today) | RACF staff vaccine update
23 March 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Update (23 March 2021) - DoH webinar | Query workflow resource | Doses policy | Rollout map
11 March 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Update (11 March 2021) - Eligibility | Vaccination tips | Adverse events | Media kit
3 March 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Update (3 March 2021) - Guidance on vaccine consent | Scenario mapping and triage process | Aged care staff eligibility for phase 1a
25 February 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Update (25 February 2021) - COVID-19 Vaccination Program important readiness actions for RACFs | Media support kit
17 February 2021 — COVID-19: RACF Update (17 February 2021) - COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in RACFs | TGA approves AstraZeneca vaccine
9 February 2021 — COVID-19: COVID-19: RACF Update (8 February) – New COVID-19 vaccine information for RACFs
14 September 2020 — COVID-19: RACF Update (14 September) –Future updates | Transitions | Testing | Outbreak guide
2 September 2020 — COVID-19: RACF Update (2 September) – Townsville training | PPE guidance | Outbreak management | Testing
2 September 2020 — COVID-19: RACF Update (2 September) – Cairns updates | PPE guidance | Outbreak management | Testing
24 August 2020 — COVID-19: RACF Update (24 August) – Health alerts | SEQ cluster | CHO Directions | PPE update
24 August 2020 — COVID-19: In-Home Care Update (24 August) – Health alerts | SEQ cluster | CHO Directions | PPE update

Practice managers

14 September 2020 — COVID-19: Practice Managers Update (14 September 2020) – Future updates | Alerts | Clinical advice | Whitsundays
4 September 2020 — COVID-19: Practice Managers’ Update (4 September 2020) – Thank you | Whitsundays | Testing | Face masks
26 August 2020 — COVID-19: Practice Managers Update (26 August) – Free AOD GP Education Program now available
21 July 2020 — COVID-19: Practice Managers Update (21 July 2020)

Pharmacists

20 July 2021 — COVID-19: Pharmacy alert – confirmed case in Mareeba
15 January 2021 — COVID-19: COVID-19 case detected in Cairns - 15 January 2021
24 August 2020 — COVID-19: Pharmacy Update (24 August) – Health alerts | SEQ cluster | CHO Directions | PPE update
30 July 2020 — HEALTH ALERT: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – 30 July 2020
18 June 2020 — COVID-19: Pharmacy Update – Mental Health Support | Digital Prescriptions
19 May 2020 — COVID-19: Pharmacy Update – Legislative Amendment Enabling Digital Images Of Prescriptions
12 May 2020 — COVID-19: Surgical Face Mask Distribution – Pharmacies

Vaccine information portal

The Australian Government has created a portal containing news and information about the development, approval process, and plans for rolling out COVID-19 vaccines.

National vaccine rollout information

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

The COVID-19 Vaccination Policy will guide the rollout of safe and effective vaccines to all Australians.

Read the Australian Vaccination Policy.

National Rollout Strategy

The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines commenced on 21 February 2021. The Australian Government aims to have as many people vaccinated as possible in 2021. Identified priority groups are the first people to be receiving vaccines and includes Residential Aged Care Facility residents, frontline health workers and quarantine staff.

Read the National Rollout Strategy.

Queensland vaccine rollout information

Queensland rollout plan

The Queensland Government is working alongside the Australian Government to rollout the COVID-19 vaccine to all Queenslanders.

The vaccine rollout will happen in 5 stages and aims to:

protect our most vulnerable community members
protect and maintain our robust health system
contain COVID-19 at our international borders by protecting priority frontline health care, border, and quarantine workers.

Read more about Queensland’s vaccine rollout.

Vaccination information for Queensland healthcare workers

The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Queensland commenced on 21 February 2021. The COVID-19 vaccine Queensland rollout strategy details the priority vaccination of Queensland health care workers in Phase 1A and future phases.

Prior to receiving their COVID-19 vaccination, Queensland’s health care workers will be required to complete Pre-Vaccination Screening Questions.

Useful links

Vaccine Information Portal
Campaign resources for use by clinics
Queensland vaccine information
Vaccine information fact sheet
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Vaccination Resource List
Vaccine eligibility checker – Find out when it might be your turn to get vaccinated against COVID-19
Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 – Learn about getting vaccinated for COVID-19, including how the vaccine will be rollout out.
Queensland Government COVID-19 vaccine information fact sheet – Covers topics such as How is the vaccine given? Who can get the vaccine? Is the vaccine safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
About COVID-19 vaccines in Queensland – Information about the two vaccines that will be available in Queensland: Pfizer from late February and AstraZeneca from March.
COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance – AusVaxSafety is conducting national COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance in Australia. This is to ensure the ongoing safety of COVID-19 vaccines used in Australia to promote provider and public confidence in the vaccination program.

Translated vaccine information

Translated consent forms

Translated vaccine rollout videos – The Department of Health has partnered with SBS to develop vaccine explainer videos in multiple languages other than English, including Auslan.
Information for people with disability