The following is information about where to get a COVID-19 vaccination in the OM PHU catchment. Please note, the following information is correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the provider about vaccine availability. 

Alternatively, you can try the Australian Government's Vaccine Finder website by clicking here

ALPINE SHIRE

INDIGO SHIRE

TOWONG SHIRE

WANGARATTA

WODONGA

Getting vaccinated protects you from getting seriously ill with COVID-19. 

Immunity wanes over time so get your booster dose now to get added protection ahead of winter. 

A bivalent vaccine targeting the omicron variant is available for everyone aged 18 and above.

Even if you had COVID-19, you should still get vaccinated. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the virus.

Who can get vaccinated

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends the 2023 booster dose for people at higher risk of severe illness, including:

  • Everyone aged 65 and above
  • Everyone aged 18 and above who are at risk.

The 2023 booster dose is available for: 

  • Everyone aged 18 and above
  • At risk children aged between 5 and 17 years.

ATAGI recommends 2 doses as a primary course for: 

  • Everyone aged 5 years and above
  • At risk children aged between 6 months and 5 years.

At risk adults and children include those with a disability, severely compromised immune system and complex or multiple health conditions, which increase their risk of severe COVID-19.

You may need additional doses based on your medical condition. Please speak to your GP for more information. 

Where to get a vaccination 

See above on our website for information across the OM PHU catchment. 

After your vaccination 

You might have side effects such as pain where you had the needle, tiredness, muscle aches, fever or chill and joint pain. Side effects are normal and a sign that the vaccine is working. They are usually mild and go away after a day or two.

Serious side effects are very rare. Contact your doctor if you are worried, or if any side effects have not gone away after a few days.


PCR tests

  • Ovens Murray Public Health Unit no longer does PCR tests or distributes Rapid Antigen Tests (RA Tests).
  • For PCR tests, please see your GP.
  • Members of the Aboriginal community can access rapid COVID-19 PCR testing at Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service.

RA Tests

  • RA tests are available through local councils. See the list below. For further details or other Victorian shires please visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-a-covid-19-test 
  • Individuals can collect up to two packets for themselves plus up to two packets for each household member per visit while people with a disability or their carer can collect up to four packets of tests.

 


RAT Collection Points
For further details or other Victorian shires please visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-a-covid-19-test



RAT Collection Points
(for the Ovens and Murray Public Health Unit catchment area)

For further details or other Victorian shires please visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-a-covid-19-test

ALPINE SHIRE

  • Myrtleford Library 18 O’Donnell Avenue, Myrtleford, VIC, 3737
    Opening times: Monday 10am to 5pm, Tuesday 1pm to 6pm, W-F 10am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to noon, Sunday Closed.
  • Alpine Shire Council - Bright Library 14 Ireland Street, Bright, VIC, 3741
    Opening times: Monday 1-5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 6pm, W-F 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to noon, Sunday Closed.
  • Alpine Shire Council - Bright Customer Service Centre 2 Churchill Avenue, Bright, VIC, 3741
    Opening times: M-F 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday Closed.
  • Alpine Shire Council - Mount Beauty Library 61 Lakeside Avenue, Mount Beauty, VIC, 3699
    Opening times: Monday Closed, Tuesday 9.30am to 5pm, Wednesday 1pm to 6pm, Thursday 9.30am to 5pm, Friday 1pm to 5pm, Saturday 9am to noon, Sunday Closed.

INDIGO SHIRE

  • Yackandandah Service Centre and Library, 34 High Street, Yackandandah, VIC, 3749
    Opening times: M-F 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to noon, Sunday Closed.
  • Chiltern Service Centre, 40 Conness Street, Chiltern, VIC, 3683
    Opening times: M-F 8.30am to 5pm
  • Indigo Shire Council - Beechworth Service Centre and Library,101 Ford Street, Beechworth, VIC, 3747
    Opening times: M-F 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to noon, Sunday Closed.
  • Rutherglen Service Centre and Library,153 High Street, Rutherglen, VIC, 3685
    Opening times: Monday Closed, T-F 9am to 5pm and closed between 12.30-1.30pm. Saturday 9am to noon, Closed Sunday.

TOWONG SHIRE

  • Towong Shire Council - Tallangatta Customer Service Centre, 32 Towong Street, Tallangatta, VIC, 3700
    Opening times: M-F 8.30am to 5pm.
  • Towong Shire Council - Council Service Centre 76 Hanson Street, Corryong, VIC, 3707
    Opening times: M-F 8.30am to 5pm, S-S Closed.
  • Towong Shire Council - Upper Murray Recovery Hub, Corner Donaldson Street and Towong Road, Corryong, VIC, 3707
    Opening times: M-F 8.30am to 5pm, S-S Closed.

WANGARATTA

  • Australian Clinical Labs – Wangaratta, U2 61 Ovens Street, Wangaratta, VIC, 3676
    Opening times: M-F 8am to 4pm
  • Wangaratta Rural City Council - Wangaratta Government Centre, 62-68 Ovens Street, Wangaratta, VIC, 3677
    Opening times: M-F 8.30am to 5pm, S-S Closed.
  • Wangaratta Rural City Council - Wangaratta Library, 21 Docker Street, Wangaratta, VIC, 3677
    Opening times: M-W 9.30am to 6pm, Thursday 9.30am to 8pm, Friday 9.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm, Sunday Closed.
  • Wangaratta 17 Ovens St, Wangaratta, VIC, 3677
    Opening times: TBC or refer to providers website

WODONGA

  • Dorevitch – Wodonga 101 Hume St, Wodonga, VIC, 3690
    Opening times: M-F 7.30am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 11am, Sunday Closed.
  • Wodonga City Council - Wodonga Council Offices 104 Hovell Street, Wodonga, VIC, 3690
    Opening times: M-F 8.30am to 5pm, S-S Closed.
  • Wodonga City Council - Wodonga Library Gallery 126 Hovell Street, Wodonga, VIC, 3690
    Opening times: M-F 10am to 6pm, S-S 10am to 3pm.

The following is information about where to get a flu vaccination in the OM PHU catchment. Please note, the following information is correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the provider about vaccine availability.

ALPINE SHIRE

  • Alba Health, 164 Myrtle St, Myrtleford 3747 (moving to 153-157 Myrtle St from start of April).
    P: 02 6049 0732.

INDIGO SHIRE

  • Tangam Pharmacy, 50 Kiewa East Rd, Tangambalanga, 3691
    P: 02 6073 0605.

TOWONG SHIRE

WANGARATTA

WODONGA

 


Influenza immunisation provides protection against influenza and helps reduce the number of infections and deaths. Good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and staying home when unwell also help prevent the spread of influenza.

Influenza (flu) is caused by a highly contagious virus that is spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes. Every year, the flu causes widespread illness in the community.

During 2023, amidst the fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, continued seasonal flu activity is anticipated as borders remain open and interstate and international travel increases.

Vaccination is key to protecting yourself and those around you from the flu.

Who should be immunised against the flu?

Immunisation against the flu is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Some people with underlying medical conditions or reduced immunity are more at risk of complications from the flu and are eligible for free vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). They include:

  • children aged from 6 months to under 5 years
  • anyone aged 65 years and older
  • pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
  • all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged from 6 months and over
  • people 6 months or older with:
  • heart disease
  • chronic lung disease (including people with severe asthma who require frequent hospital visits)
  • chronic neurological conditions
  • impaired immunity
  • haemoglobinopathies (blood disorders caused by genetic changes)
  • diabetes
  • kidney disease
  • children on long-term aspirin therapy from 6 months to 10 years

Annual flu vaccine is also recommended (but not necessarily free) for other people such as:

  • those who work with or live in close contact with people with an underlying medical condition or reduced immunity, such as:
  • health care workers
  • staff in long-term care facilities or nursing homes
  • people who live with, or care for someone who has a chronic illness or is aged over 65 years
  • carers of homeless people
  • workers, particularly those in workplaces that provide essential services
  • people who work with children
  • people with Down syndrome
  • people who are obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2)
  • people who are addicted to alcohol
  • people who are homeless
  • residents in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
  • people involved in the commercial poultry and pig industry
  • people who provide essential community services
  • anyone visiting parts of the world where the flu is circulating, especially if travelling in a group.

Speak to your immunisation provider to see if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine.

People not eligible for free flu vaccination under the NIP can purchase the flu vaccine from their immunisation provider.

I need a Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccination

The following is information about where to get a Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccination in the OM PHU catchment. Please note, the following information is correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the provider about vaccine availability. Some Councils are also immunising against JEV. See their website for local information.

JE vaccinations are provided free to eligible Victorians by councils and Local Public Health Units

You are eligible for JE vaccination no matter where you live if you:

  • work or live on a piggery
  •  work directly with pigs (pig transport, veterinarians and others involved in the care of pigs)
  •  work in a pork abattoir or rendering plant or work in mosquito surveillance or control, in the field or a laboratory.

Some other providers including GPs and pharmacies may charge an administration fee, so ask about out-of-pocket costs.

In Victoria, the mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS® vaccine) is available free-of-charge for eligible people who meet any of the following criteria.

Eligibility criteria

  • Post-exposure preventive vaccination (PEPV) for high-risk close contacts of mpox cases, preferably within 4 days.
  • Primary preventive vaccination (PPV) has been expanded to include:
  • All sexually active gay and bisexual men (cis and trans).
  • Sexual partners of the above.
  • Sex workers.
  • Immunisation providers who are administering the ACAM2000™ smallpox vaccine.
  • Laboratory workers who analyse specimens from mpox cases.

Vaccination may also be considered for healthcare workers at higher risk of exposure to patients with mpox, including primary care, sexual health clinics, hospital staff and others, based on local risk assessments. The risk of transmission should be also minimised by using infection control measures.

Two doses are required for optimal protection and can be given 28 days apart. The mpox vaccine takes approximately 14 days before it is effective.

For more information on vaccination, see Victorian mpox (monkeypox) vaccination program guidelines.

 

We provide the Jynneos vaccine. 

We encourage you to read more and fill out the consent form at https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/08/monkeypox-mpx-consent-form-for-jynneos-vaccination.pdf