Bendigo UFS Pharmacies are part of the current national COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout and are proud to be part of the program that supports reducing the COVID-19 outbreaks and illness across our community.
Booking your COVID-19 vaccination appointment
Booking your COVID-19 vaccination appointment
Please call us if you need to confirm what the timing should be between the appointments.
If you need phone or on-site interpreting, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.
Bendigo UFS Pharmacies are not accepting walk in appointments at this time.
Bendigo UFS Pharmacies are providing Novavax (Nuvaxovid), Pfizer (Comirnaty) Pfizer (Bivalent) and Pfizer paediatric a booster.
Following advice from ATAGI on 8 February 2023 the revised booster recommendation is*:
Age | No risk factors (Healthy Australians) | At-risk Australians** |
< 5 years | Not recommended | Not recommended |
5 – 17 years | Not recommended | Consider a dose |
18 – 64 years | Consider a dose | Recommended |
> 64 years | Recommended | Recommended |
Pfizer Comirnaty | Pfizer Children Comirnaty | Moderna + Pfizer Bivalent | Novavax | |
Recommended dose interval | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | N/A | 3 weeks > 18 years |
Approved dose interval | 3 to 8 weeks | 3 to 8 weeks | N/A | 3 weeks > 18+ years |
Approved age | 12 years and older | 5 to 11 years | N/A | 12 years and over |
Third dose (as part of primary course for severely immunocompromised. GP letter required) | Preferred for a third dose 2-6 months after second dose | Preferred for a third dose | N/A | Yes, 8 weeks after 2nd dose |
Fourth dose (as part of primary course for those at increased risk (over 16) Click here for more. Refer to ATAGI for 12-15 years. GP letter is required. | Preferred for a fourth dose ≥3 months after third dose | No | N/A | No |
Boosters (Recommended 6 months from previous dose or COVID infection) Considered for 5-17 year olds at risk4 | Yes (for 18 years and over and; 5 to 17 years at risk only) | Yes, if at risk (5 to 17 years) | N/A | Yes (for 18 years and over and; 5 to 17 years at risk only) |
Available at Bendigo UFS Helath Hub Vaccination Clinic | Yes | Yes | No longer available | Yes |
* A 2023 booster dose should be given 6 months after a person’s last dose or confirmed infection.
** Includes those with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness (refer to ATAGI clinical guidance) or those with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities which increase the risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19.
- A 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for adults in the following groups, if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, and regardless of the number of prior doses received:
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Adults aged 18-64 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.
- The following groups should consider a 2023 booster dose if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, and regardless of the number of prior doses received, bases on an individual risk benefit assessment with their immunisations provider.
- All adults aged 18-64 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19
- Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.
- It’s advised that a booster dose is not recommended at this time for children and adolescents aged under the age of 18 who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends the COVID-19 dose can be co-administered with the influenza vaccine or other vaccines.
Children’s (paediatric) vaccines
UFS Pharmacies are providing the Pfizer (Comirnaty) for children aged 5 years to 11 years. Booster doses are available to children in the following eligibility:
- those who are severely immunocompromised
- those who have a disability with significant or complex health needs
- those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19.
- A GP letter is required to address to prove eligibility criteria.
Parents and/or Guardians may wish to have your child sitting on your lap (pictured right) for the vaccination. Your child will feel comforted and supported during the vaccination and in turn reduce nerves.
We suggest you let our friendly Immuniser Nurses know if either parent/guardian or child are feeling nervous so that we can ensure you feel as comfortable as possible.
Image source: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/resources/handbook-figures/figure-positioning-a-child-in-the-straddle-position
Which Bendigo UFS Pharmacies store is providing the COVID-19 vaccination?
Appointments are only available at our 379 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo location.
What you need for booking your appointment
Before your vaccination appointment, you should make sure your details are up to date with Medicare.
If you don’t have your account set up, you can:
- enrol in Medicare, if you’re not already enrolled
- set up your Medicare online account if you’re enrolled in Medicare, but don’t have Medicare linked to myGov or
- get an Individual Health Identifier (IHI), if you’re not eligible for Medicare
Your Medicare or IHI will be required to make your appointment – this will make it quicker on the day of your appointment.
Getting ready for your appointment on the day
You will receive an email and text message reminder up to 48 hours before your appointment.
Please do not come to your vaccination appointment:
- if you are feeling unwell with fever, cough, runny nose or other symptoms that could be from COVID-19
- if you are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or have tested positive for COVID-19
- if you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or
- if you are in quarantine.
If you cannot make it to your vaccination appointment, please contact us to arrange a new appointment.
Supporting information
You can also read this patient factsheet developed by the Australian Government Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/getting-your-vaccination/before
Information for persons whom are immunocompromised are encouraged to read here: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-recommendations-on-the-use-of-a-third-primary-dose-of-covid-19-vaccine-in-individuals-who-are-severely-immunocompromised
Information on preparing for COVID-19 vaccination is available in other languages at: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/getting-your-vaccination/before
How to contact us
Email: vaccination@bendigoufs.com.au
Phone: 03 5442 0444
Open hours: Thursday 9.30am until 4.30pm and Saturday 9.30am until 12.30pm
Frequently asked COVID-19 vaccination questions
Everyone in Australia will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine. High priority groups who are more susceptible to catching COVID-19 or more vulnerable to becoming extremely ill if infected with COVID-19 or persons working in a high risk workplace are prioritised. Use the Department of Health’s Eligibility Checker to see when you can book your vaccine: https://covid- vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility?lang=en
The most commonly reported side effects from COVID-19 vaccines are headache, aches and pains, fever, and tenderness at the site of injection. These side effects are typical of many vaccines, and usually, last only a day or two. Investigation is continuing into rare side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration’s safety monitoring team of doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and scientists are closely monitoring any reported side effects from the vaccine to investigate any safety issues.
Speak to our team of pharmacists and nurses if you have concerns about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.
AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer* vaccines available in Australia require two doses (of the same type) to provide the best protection against COVID-19.
*The Pfizer vaccination is not available at Bendigo UFS Pharmacies.
For most people with existing health conditions, receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is still recommended. Speak with your doctor to find out what’s right for you.
The COVID-19 vaccine may not stop you from ever getting COVID-19, however the AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer* vaccines have been shown to be effective at stopping people from becoming very ill or dying if they catch COVID-19.
*Pfizer vaccination is not available at Bendigo UFS Pharmacies.
There is no live virus in the COVID-19 vaccine. Most COVID-19 vaccines contain a spike protein that looks like the spikes on the outside of the COVID-19 virus particle or stimulate the body to produce this spike protein. The immune system recognises this spike protein and produces antibodies to fight against COVID-19.
We recommend that you view the Australian Government fact sheet on the AstraZeneca vaccine and potential suspected thrombosis with thrombocytopenia. This fact sheet provides you information to help you make an informed decision here.
Our nurses and pharmacists are administering the COVID-19 vaccinations and have completed extensive training regarding general vaccinations, as well as specific training for COVID-19 vaccinations.
No. The COVID-19 vaccine is free to everyone in Australia whether a resident or not.
You will receive your vaccine in a safe, private space within our pharmacy. We pride ourselves on providing this space allowing you to feel comfortable and ask any questions that you may have.
Appointments do book out and you may need to look at an appropriate time in coming weeks but we do offer a waitlist option. We recommend you do book an appointment even if it’s some time away and if there is a cancellation, we’ll contact you to check your availability.
We welcome you to further research the vaccination and the virus if you wish. A great reputable resource to view is healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus.
- If your second dose was on 1st September 2021 you are due for a booster on the 1 December 2021 (the day of the month matches the day you are due).
They will be given the Pfizer formulation for those aged 12 and over.
Updated 15 November 2023
