Latest COVID-19 updates

The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve with regular updates from Metro North Health and other credible healthcare providers.

COVID-19 updates from Metro North Health

The fever clinics and COVID-19 testing locations in Queensland are updated regularly, especially during an outbreak. Live bookings can be found at GP respiratory clinics - HotDoc

GPs and patients are encouraged to regularly review the QLD Health COVID-19 contact tracing (list of exposure sites) website.

The COVID-19 vaccination referral guidelines have recently been updated.

The recommendation to receive Pfizer letter has also been updated and must come with the patient if they aren’t in the eligible people cohort. As Queensland Health manages the supply of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine across our state, vaccination will be prioritised for people who

Metro North Health vaccination clinics are unable to accept walk-ins as advised on the Metro North Health vaccinations information page.

The general public can find the latest COVID-19 vaccine information by phoning 134 COVID (13 42 68) or visit the Queensland Government vaccine website.


Vaccine eligibility checker – in 15 languages

The vaccine eligibility checker is now available in 15 languages as well as English, to help all Australians access the information they need to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Recent updates also include:

• Pregnant women prioritised to receive Pfizer.
• Updated content to prioritise registered aged care facility workers getting vaccinated.
• Updated eligibility to include 12-15 year-olds with underlying medical conditions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to enable them to access Pfizer.

• Removed reference to COVID-19 vaccine intervals on different vaccine types with the updated advice from ATAGI on intervals being more flexible in outbreak areas. 

GP COVID-19 AEFI reporting

GPs using the following practice software can complete an Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) for COVID-19 vaccines directly though their practice software and submit it to Queensland Health (via Medical Objects). View the instructions below on how to install the relevant templates.

• Medical Director – download the COVID-19 adverse event following immunisation reporting template for Medical Director
• Best Practice - download the COVID-19 adverse event following immunisation reporting template for Best Practice

If the program you are currently using isn’t in the above list, please continue to use the COVID-19 adverse event following immunisation reporting form.

These resources can be found on the information for Queensland primary care providers page, included in the newly revamped COVID-19 vaccination information for healthcare workers website. 

TGA provisionally approves Moderna 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval to Moderna Australia Pty Ltd for its COVID-19 vaccine - Spikevax (elasomeran) - making it the fourth COVID-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia. Read the media release.

New vaccination location in Brisbane

The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) opened as a vaccination location on Wednesday 11 August 2021. From Saturday 14 August, the location will be open 7 days a week with extended hours to be confirmed. 

This is an appointment-only vaccination location. People can register their interest online to get vaccinated. This includes anyone aged 16 to 59 years who can now register their interest in getting vaccinated.
A dedicated walk-in option will be available at BCEC for healthcare workers and aged and disability care workers, to ensure they are vaccinated as soon as possible.

Dedicated vaccination clinic for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families

A dedicated COVID-19 vaccination clinic will open at Redcliffe Hospital for those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or are part of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families.

Learn more about the vaccination clinic.

Crucial information for multicultural communities about COVID-19 vaccines and cancer

People with cancer are more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and are at an increased risk of more severe infection. The latest international evidence reassuringly shows that for many people affected by cancer, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect them, their family and their community against COVID-19.

FAQs have been developed by Cancer Australia based on input and queries from the cancer community. The FAQs have now been translated into the 10 most commonly-spoken languages, Arabic, Chinese – Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. 

To view the translated FAQs, visit www.canceraustralia.gov.au/CALD.

COVID-19 resources

Queensland Health have a number of resources available to download on the Queensland Health website. Resources include a How can I get the COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet and the Bloodclots and the AstraZeneca vaccine fact sheet.