The Australian Government Department of Health started phase 1a of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out on 22 February 2021.

Below is a summary of the information we currently know about the vaccine roll-out for the disability sector.

About the COVID-19 vaccine

Some people with disability, particularly those with underlying conditions, are at greater risk of becoming very sick if they catch COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a safe and effective way of protecting everyone in our community.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free and voluntary for everyone living in Australia.

The COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia are thoroughly tested for safety by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia’s independent medicines regulator.

To find out further information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines visit the Australian Government Department of Health web page Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

Priority groups for the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out in Australia

The first priority group (phase 1a) eligible for the vaccine includes:

• A person with disability living in residential accommodation (in settings with two or more people with disability)
• A paid worker providing support to people living in residential accommodation with two more people with disability
• Other disability care staff

The second priority group (phase 1b) includes some people with disability who are at greater risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19, including:

• People with disability aged 70 and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability
• People with disability with underlying medical conditions, such as immunocompromised, multiple comorbidities, chronic lung disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and severe obesity.

When and how will the COVID-19 vaccines be given?

The WA Department of Health, or a contracted workforce provider, will contact Activ and work closely with us when the vaccination program is ready to be rolled out to our staff who come under phase 1a.

The Department of Health is working with a number of stakeholders, including the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission), state and territory governments and other organisations to identify and reach out to people with disability. For Phase 1a, people with disability will be notified when it is their turn to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Our customers who live in shared accommodation are likely to get their vaccination at their residence. Vaccination teams, managed by the Australian Government, will provide these vaccinations.

It is not clear yet where our staff and our other customers will receive their vaccinations. We will provide this information as soon as it becomes available.

While the vaccination program is being rolled out, the best thing we can all do is to continue to be COVIDSafe by:

• practising good hygiene
• maintaining physical distancing
• staying home and getting tested if we are sick
• downloading the COVIDSafe app

We will continue to keep you updated as we find out more information about the vaccination roll-out.

Easy Read Resources

To view the Department of Health’s full series of Easy Read resources about COVID-19 vaccines, click here. 

Further information

• The Australian Government Department of Health web page for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines
• Contact Activ Health on health@activ.asn.au or 0429 234 917
• Activ Coronavirus Hub 

Additional contacts

• Department of Health: For coronavirus health questions, phone the DoH on 1800 020 080.
• Disability Gateway: If you live with a disability and need help because of coronavirus, call the Helpline on 1800 643 787.