People living with HIV are now eligible to access the COVID-19 vaccine as part of Phase 1b rollout of the Australian COVID19 vaccination roll out plan. The Australian Government has confirmed that all individuals living in Australia are eligible for a free vaccination – this includes people without a Medicare card and people who are undocumented.
Unfortunately, it is a little trickier to find the information than we would have hoped for, so please see below for further guidance. If you need any help or have any concerns please just call us on Free call 1800 636214 or 3013 5555 or go to the QPP website and on the left hand side click on Chat with a Peer navigator now.
QPP recommends that all PLHIV contact their usual GP and/or s100 prescriber. If your GP or s100 prescriber is not involved in the vaccination roll out, please request a signed letter stating that you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1B. This letter does not need to state why you are eligible.
There are a number of different types of clinics where you can get your vaccinations including:
- GP medical centres – Individual GP medical centres may still charge for the actual appointment.
- GP Respiratory Clinics
- Queensland Health hospital vaccination clinics
If you do not hold a Medicare card or are undocumented – you can attend a Queensland Health vaccination clinic or GP respiratory clinic to receive your free appointment and vaccine. You may be asked to obtain an Individual Health Identifier (IHI) but this is not required to get the actual vaccine – this form is the easiest way for you to obtain a record of vaccination.
To find out where you can get your vaccine and make a booking please go to:
- The online Vaccine eligibility checker
o When you get to Do you have an underlying medical condition – tick Yes
o You will be provided with some information. Scroll down and then click on Make A Booking
o This will take you to the Vaccine Clinic Finder – enter your postcode
- Call the national COVID-19 vaccine helpline on 1800 020 080
- The online Queensland Health hospital vaccination clinics
If you attend a clinic to get vaccinated for COVID-19 (other than at your usual GP or s100 prescriber), you may be asked to fill out a pre-vaccination screening form.
The form may ask you if you have an underlying medical condition such as HIV. The form may also ask if you are living with someone who has an underlying medical condition such as HIV.
Please do not feel pressured to disclose your HIV status or the HIV status of someone you may live with in order to get a COVID vaccine.
The Commonwealth COVID Taskforce has confirmed that it is clinically unnecessary for these questions to be asked for the majority of people living with HIV on effective treatment. QPP recommends people living with HIV with any concerns regarding your individual health and situation to reach out to your usual GP/s100 prescriber for assessment and advice.
Our National Association of People Living with HIV (NAPWHA), QPP and other HIV positive organisations across Australia have been working hard to ensure that people living with HIV have as much information as possible to make an informed and comfortable decision about the COVID vaccine. Please see below for further information and links to informative videos and blogs.
Videos
- COVID 19 vaccine information – NAPWHA and QPP
- In the Know COVID 19 and the vaccine – Positive Life NSW
- COVID vaccine and living with HIV – Living Positive Victoria
Blogs/FAQ’s:
