NSW Health is working closely with the Australian Government to plan and implement a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination program in NSW. 

NSW Health's COVID-19 vaccination plans are underpinned by a strong public health system, as well as successful immunisation and mass vaccination programs.

When will I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for individuals 16 years and older. This vaccine is expected to be available in NSW in a phased rollout from late February 2021. As doses will initially be limited, the vaccine will be first made available to people who are most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 or who have the highest risk of being exposed to, or spreading, the virus.

In NSW, the first people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will include:

• Healthcare workers working in locations with a higher risk of exposure to, and transmission of COVID-19, such as emergency departments, COVID-19 testing clinics, and COVID-19 wards;
• Staff working in designated quarantine facilities;
• Residents and staff of residential aged and disability care facilities.

The TGA is reviewing other potential COVID-19 vaccines for use in Australia and if approved, a COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be available to the general population later in 2021. For the COVID-19 vaccines that are likely to be available in Australia, each person will need to receive two doses of the vaccine to be adequately immunised against COVID-19. This means it will take time for every person to be vaccinated.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?

Any COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Australia will be safe and effective. Before a COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use in Australia, it must pass the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) rigorous assessment and approval processes. This includes assessment of the vaccine's safety, quality and effectiveness. The TGA is actively monitoring COVID-19 vaccine development both in Australia and around the world and is also part of a network of international regulators that meet regularly to discuss the development of COVID-19 vaccines. 

Who is responsible for delivering the COVID-19 vaccination program?

The Australian Government is responsible for securing and distributing the COVID-19 vaccines and overseeing the national COVID-19 vaccination strategy. The NSW Government is collaborating with the Australian Government to implement the COVID-19 vaccination plan in NSW.

What should I do now?

It is important to continue to protect yourself and others against COVID-19. Even when the vaccine starts to be administered to the general community in NSW, it will still be important to practise COVID safe behaviour:

• Stay 1.5m apart from people you don't live with
• Wash your hands regularly
• Get tested immediately and self-isolate if you have any COVID-19 symptoms
• Wear a face mask when you can't physically distance, especially in indoor settings
• Choose outdoor settings to gather with others wherever possible
• Keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 case locations and information in NSW through the NSW Government website.

For more information about Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program, visit the NSW Health's COVID-19 vaccination FAQs or the Australian Government Department of Health website

Reputable information about vaccines is available from:

• Therapeutic Goods Administration
• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
• Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)
• Australian Academy of Science
• World Health Organization