• Posted on 13th August, 2021

  7 Minutes read

Information about receiving
COVID-19 vaccine for students 12/08/2021

Dear Students,

Some students in the higher education and training sector in critical and higher risk settings are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and can access an appointment at vaccination centres across Victoria.

Eligible higher education and training students:

All Victorians aged 40 years and over are eligible for vaccination.

Additionally, people aged 12 years or older are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine if they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people or have a specified underlying medical condition. People aged 16 years and over are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine if they are National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants. Pregnant women aged 16 years and over are also eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, and are encouraged to get vaccinated at their doctor’s clinic or health care provider to discuss their health and any questions they have.

Currently, the following Victorian higher education and training students are also eligible to receive the vaccine as part of Phase 1b:

• healthcare students undertaking a formal adult education course (e.g. university, TAFE and Structured Workplace Learning) that requires them to attend a healthcare setting to perform clinical and non-clinical roles
• students undertaking on-site training in health care environments
• students undertaking on-site training or placements in an aged care facility or residential disability service
• students enrolled in a formal adult education course (e.g. university, TAFE and Structured Workplace Learning) that requires them to attend a workplace on-site, alongside workers prioritised for vaccination under the Phase 1b category of ‘critical and high-risk workers’. For example, emergency services worksites and licenced meat processing centres

AstraZeneca vaccine for students aged 18 to 39 years

People aged 18-39 years who provide informed consent can now get the AstraZeneca vaccine at selected Victorian vaccination centres.

• Royal Exhibition Building
• Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Melbourne Showgrounds
• Sandown Racecourse
• Frankston vaccination hub, Bayside Shopping Centre
• Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, South Morang
• Former Ford Factory, Geelong
• Kilmore District Health (Outpatients Building)
• Mansfield District Hospital (Anderson Hall)

Informed consent involves signing a document showing you are aware of the risks of receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, including the risk of thrombosis thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

The AstraZeneca vaccine will still be available to 18 to 39-year-olds at participating GPs, respiratory clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations as well.

For more information about eligibility in the COVID-19 vaccination program visit: Who can get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Individuals seeking vaccination based on their occupation or study as part of Phase 1b must provide evidence of their eligibility. For information on what students should take, refer to What to bring with you to your vaccine appointment.

Eligible students should also take to their appointment:

• student ID or work ID card
  AND
• a letter from their Institute of Higher Education confirming that they are currently studying in one of the eligible Phase 1b categories. To help higher education and training providers support eligible students get vaccinated, a template letter of eligibility is available
  OR
• evidence of Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration (for healthcare students)

How to book an appointment

• Appointments at COVID-19 vaccination centres can be made on the book your vaccine appointment page. Students undertaking training or placements in healthcare, or residential aged care and disability care settings, can access priority bookings via the Victorian coronavirus hotline. These students should call 1800 675 398 and tell the hotline operator they are part of one of these priority groups.
• We have also created a downloadable template letter for students encapsulating the above advice. I encourage you to share this information as appropriate.
• Thank you for your support as we continue to work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our classrooms and local communities