Vaccine Rollout in Australia - personal accounts.

[Katie]

Mr Katie had his AZ shot 1 at the local Smart Clinics yesterday (he's 2A the old fart! ). Started feeling fluey in the afternoon, but he was still able to make dinner. Thank goodness!
He decided to sleep in rather than get up for his 6am meeting this morning. He was still in bed when I left for work, and he doesn't look at his mobile, so I'm assuming he's either in bed still or is working.

Thanks to the Qld Health registering online thingie, I registered this morning, and am booked in for Pfizer next Tuesday at RBWH (I'm group 2B).

 

[Flying mermaid]

Mr Katie had his AZ shot 1 at the local Smart Clinics yesterday (he's 2A the old fart! ). Started feeling fluey in the afternoon, but he was still able to make dinner. Thank goodness!
He decided to sleep in rather than get up for his 6am meeting this morning. He was still in bed when I left for work, and he doesn't look at his mobile, so I'm assuming he's either in bed still or is working.

Thanks to the Qld Health registering online thingie, I registered this morning, and am booked in for Pfizer next Tuesday at RBWH (I'm group 2B).

Mr FM was very tired and slept a lot the day after his and then was fine.

 

[glasszon]

I got the Pfizer vaccine in Victoria yesterday, I was lucky as they have an open spot on the same day when I called to book the appointment. Overall the process at the hospital is very well run, and it feels no different to having the annual flu vaccination organised by the employer.

In terms of side effects, I got a sore arm after the vaccination, a bit of headache and feel a bit tired today, overall it's fairly mild and I might well be paying too much attention looking for side effects given the media hype about the side effects of covid vaccine.

 

[DC3]

I got the Pfizer vaccine in Victoria yesterday ...

In terms of side effects, I got a sore arm after the vaccination, a bit of headache and feel a bit tired today, overall it's fairly mild and I might well be paying too much attention looking for side effects given the media hype about the side effects of covid vaccine.

You may have a point there. After I had the AZ I didn’t think twice about side effects, probably because there weren’t any.

Regarding side effects, I once worked with someone who apparently became very cranky/rude/belligerent after going onto new medication. The truth was that he had been cranky/rude/belligerent for most of his working life, so it had nothing to do with the medication.

 

[Must...Fly!]

For Melburnians. MCEC does not offer appointments for Pfizer for under-50s apparently - at least not yet. Royal Exhibition booked until Sunday afternoon. But open slather to more or less pick your preferred time and day at Melbourne showgrounds.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Mt LL and I had the AZ last Friday - no side effects for him, a bit of a sore arm for me (but less than I usually get with the flu shot) - of course you must still monitor for blood clot symptoms but you also need to check for cars when jay-walking.

 

[Deleted member 74239]

Media reported on Monday that Queensland Health were accepting registrations for Pfizer shots for 40-49 year olds. I registered that day, got an email yesterday with log-in code/link, booked an appointment and got my first dose this afternoon at Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane. The nurses were doing a great job with a very efficient process, no side effects so far, feeling good.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Just had my Pfizer first dose at Melbourne Showgrounds. Arrived about 10am, dose went in at 10:19, out at 10:35.

Was not offered to make an appointment for second dose - on questioning, I was told to call the hotline to book.

A good number of walk ins there but there is plenty of extra capacity. Pfizer, AZ, doesn't matter - please go and get vaccinated!

 

[straitman]

I tried once again today to organise my jab for when we get back to Victoria. (Maybe we shouldn't go back)

My GP has directed me to hospital for mine as I previously have had an anaphylactic reaction, but the local hospital doesn't seem to be able to organise it.

It's only been about 7 weeks now for them to not be organised.

 

[moa999]

Had my first Pfizer today in Sydney at Olympic Park.. made a booking last week for today and again in 3.5 wks.

About 500m from Olympic Park train station.
I was 40min earlier than my checkin, but no queue so walked in and just had barcode scanned.
Quick temp check and questioned that you hadn't been in Melbourne in last 14 days.

Scan your phone barcode at a desk.. and get a printed ticket. Seemingly split into Bays 1/2 (Pfizer) and 3 (AZ).

Walk into main building and directed to my Bay.
Probably 80 separated seats and a bunch of TV screens directing you to individual injection sites (1 thru 25).

When I sat down was about 55 numbers till mine came up (took 15min or so) on the screen. In 5 rows of 5.

Then walk to vaccination desk.
Nurse checks number and verifies Drivers License and Medicare, and gets you to quote name and DOB.
And then runs through the questions you answered earlier.. including blood thinners, reaction to injections etc.
Then quick injection.

And another time stamped sticker, and a 15min wait for me (think some get 30).. And back out

Was about 45min from Opal tap out to tap in (so no charge for the return journey)..

Quite an efficient process with a huge number of staff however. Including quite a few translators and help desks.
If there hadn't been a wait for the injections (maybe 15min) after checkin would have been even quicker...

2hrs later no issues or pain, though understand the 2nd jab is worse with Pfizer.

 

[Lynda2475]

@moa999 curious did you get any physical paper work to prove you have been vaccinated?

When I booked mine I ticked the box to send to medicare vaccination record but since zero of my other vacinations including this years flu shot show up there I dont trrust that it works if you opted out of My Health. I want to make darn sure I have heard proof.

 

[drron]

I didn't ask for my vaccinations to be sent to Medicare but AZ -by GP -and flu done in hospital were both there within a couple of hours.

 

[Lynda2475]

didn't ask for my vaccinations to be sent to Medicare

When you book at a NSW vaccination hub its one of the questions asked. I have no idea why none of my flu vax or yellow fever etc arent there. I was emailed a vax certificate for flu vax and they had my medicare details so it should be there but it isnt.

 

[moa999]

Nothing physical.
But the literature provided says it's sent to -
Medicare Online (via My Gov)
Express Plus Medicare
Australian Immunisation Register
My Health Record (also MyGov)

 

[JohnM]

Nothing physical.
But the literature provided says it's sent to -
Medicare Online (via My Gov)
Express Plus Medicare
Australian Immunisation Register
My Health Record (also MyGov

I have all the online stuff but I also took my yellow WHO vaccination booklet (which I have stapled into the back of my passport) and had them fill in that as well. I want something that I can immediately show.

 

[kyle]

Is it ok to drive after the jab?

 

[JohnM]

Is it ok to drive after the jab?

I did and that was weeks ago - and I'm still here. Also shot through pretty much straight away. Only stopped long enough to make the appointment for jab #2.

 

[Flashback]

I have all the online stuff but I also took my yellow WHO vaccination booklet (which I have stapled into the back of my passport) and had them fill in that as well. I want something that I can immediately show.

I did that but the lady had never seen one before and then completely ballsed it up when writing in it. I don't think any countries will accept it anyway.

Is it ok to drive after the jab?

Yes, no issues. I rode my bike no worries after having Pfizer and waiting post-jab, including a stop in at the shop for some food on the way home and then continued riding.....

 

[kyle]

I did and that was weeks ago - and I'm still here. Also shot through pretty much straight away. Only stopped long enough to make the appointment for jab #2.

I'm asking just in case the side effects come too soon. Going to call the hotline tomorrow and get a booking as I now become eligible. Sucks that there's no online booking in Vic.

 

[JohnM]

I did that but the lady had never seen one before and then completely ballsed it up when writing in it. I don't think any countries will accept it anyway.

Does that mean my yellow fever, tetanus, typhoid, Hep B, polio etc, etc are worthless?

God help us if so, is all I can say.