Make the choice COVID-19 vaccine information : For communities

North Coast CEO Sharelle stepped up with her team

Even Sharelle Eggmolesse, CEO of the North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health (North Coast) had reservations about getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Sunshine Coast's Uncle Trevor got vaxxed to keep his family safe

Uncle Trevor Draper is an elder of the Kamilaroi People and a Director of the North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health.

Dr Janus fighting COVID vaccine misinformation in Injinoo

Dr Richard Janus, Senior Medical Officer at NPA Family & Community Services in Injinoo is worried.

Mareeba’s Nattie got jabbed to #protectnan

Nattie Bong from Mareeba made the choice to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect herself and her mob, especially her Nanna.

Jahya’s jump into the COVID jab

When Jahya David was offered the COVID-19 vaccination at her local bowls club, she made the choice with a “why not?”

Mario hates needles but hates COVID-19 more

After a horrible experience as a child, Mario Assan hates getting needles.

Aunty Helen says get it done

Aunty Helen Felstead is a Yugambeh Elder and Chair of the Board of Directors at North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health.

Mareeba’s Naomi Courtney loves getting out and about.

So it’s no surprise that she’s made a career of engaging with mob as an ITC Engagement Officer with Mulungu Aboriginal Health Service.

Cherbourg’s Shane wants you to make sure you’re covered

Shane Dynevor is a Trainee Health Worker for Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Services (CRAICCHS).

Sandra’s sage advice

Sandra Erwin is an Aboriginal Health Worker in Mitchell in Western Queensland.

Torres Health veteran Uncle Phillip is a keen vaccine warrior

Uncle Phillip Bowie, Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors for Torres Health wanted the community to know that COVID-19 isn’t going away any time soon.

Northern Peninsula Mayor leading the community on the vaccination journey

North Peninsula Area Regional Council Mayor Patricia Yusia made the choice to get her COVID-19 vaccination to be part of the fight against COVID-19.

Community can’t afford to be complacent

Stephanie Saunders is a proud Yidinji woman who hails from the Gordonvale Area and has been an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse at Wuchopperen Health Service for about a year, with the bulk of her career as an employee with Queensland Health.

Yarrabah’s ministry spreads COVID-19 vaccination message

Reverend Leslie Baird is a man who has devoted much of his professional life to the improvement of mob health; be that physical, emotional, social or spiritual.

One in, all in for Pastor Nathan’s mob

Pastor Nathan Seden made the choice to get the COVID-19 jab to protect himself and his family.

Building trust through vaccination outreach efforts in Far North Queensland

Dr Oscar Whitehead, Medical Lead for the Tropical Public Health Services First Nations COVID-19 Response Team, understands the value of a good yarn to help the vaccine hesitant have all the information they need when deciding about the jab.

North Coast CEO Sharelle stepped up with her team

Sunshine Coast's Uncle Trevor got vaxxed to keep his family safe

Dr Janus fighting COVID vaccine misinformation in Injinoo

Mareeba’s Nattie got jabbed to #protectnan

Jahya’s jump into the COVID jab

Mario hates needles but hates COVID-19 more

Aunty Helen says get it done

Mareeba’s Naomi Courtney loves getting out and about.

Cherbourg’s Shane wants you to make sure you’re covered

Sandra’s sage advice

Torres Health veteran Uncle Phillip is a keen vaccine warrior

Northern Peninsula Mayor leading the community on the vaccination journey

Community can’t afford to be complacent

Yarrabah’s ministry spreads COVID-19 vaccination message

One in, all in for Pastor Nathan’s mob

Building trust through vaccination outreach efforts in Far North Queensland

Questions and answers

It's good to ask questions about COVID-19 and the vaccines. You should ask your doctor, your community health service or speak to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurse by calling 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). You can also read through the list below, to help answer some of the questions you’ve got.

What will recovery from COVID-19 be like?

Some people may recover from COVID-19 in days, some in weeks. But for others, it could be months. Each case is unique but people recovering from more severe symptoms are likely to face a longer recovery period.

‘Long COVID’ is when a person continues to have COVID-19 symptoms for months after their diagnosis. Even people who had a mild COVID-19 infection and weren’t hospitalised can still have long COVID symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath and dizziness.

If I am managing COVID at home, when should I call my doctor?

You should contact your doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if you’re pregnant, have any chronic conditions or have any concerns about your health.

If you are having trouble doing things like preparing and eating food, taking your regular medication, showering, or going to the toilet you should call your doctor. You should also contact your doctor if you feel dizzy or lightheaded or your symptoms start to worsen.

If you are experiencing breathlessness, fainting, chest pain, coughing up blood, or weeing a lot less that usual call triple zero (000) for an ambulance and tell the ambulance staff that you have COVID-19.

When is it ok to leave isolation after being COVID-positive?

Most people with COVID-19 will have a mild illness and will recover in a few days.

People with mild illness are generally considered to be recovered after seven days if they have no more symptoms at this time. If you have no symptoms on day six you may leave isolation. If you still have symptoms at day six or seven, you must continue to isolate until your symptoms are gone.

You do not need a negative COVID-19 test to be able to return to work, unless you are a healthcare worker or aged care worker—and then you should check with your employer what is required.

I am caring for someone with COVID-19, how can I keep myself safe?

The person with COVID-19 should stay in a separate, well-ventilated room, and use a separate bathroom if one is available. If they can’t isolate in a separate room, they should avoid shared spaces in the house as much as possible — such as the kitchen. The person should wear a mask when moving through shared areas.

Someone in my house has COVID-19, do I need to isolate too?

Yes, you are now a close contact of that person and need to isolate for seven days. If you have symptoms you should visit your nearest testing clinic as soon as possible. If you have no symptoms you should take a rapid antigen test at home.

What should I do if I test positive to COVID-19?

Immediately isolate for seven days (and report the result of your rapid antigen test online if you took a rapid antigen test).
Tell everyone in your household to get tested and ask other contacts to monitor their health and take a test if unwell.
Ask friends or family (who don’t live with you) to get you food and medication and deliver it at your door.
Take it easy and monitor your symptoms by keeping a COVID-19 symptom diary.
For health advice call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or call 000 if you are having trouble breathing or have chest pain.

See more questions

Make the choice

Get vaccinated. Be ready. Stay safe

Why should I get vaccinated?

How do I get vaccinated?

Visit a clinic

Have a yarn

Get vaccinated somewhere else

North Coast CEO Sharelle stepped up with her team

Sunshine Coast's Uncle Trevor got vaxxed to keep his family safe

Dr Janus fighting COVID vaccine misinformation in Injinoo

Mareeba’s Nattie got jabbed to #protectnan

Jahya’s jump into the COVID jab

Mario hates needles but hates COVID-19 more

Aunty Helen says get it done

Mareeba’s Naomi Courtney loves getting out and about.

Cherbourg’s Shane wants you to make sure you’re covered

Sandra’s sage advice

Torres Health veteran Uncle Phillip is a keen vaccine warrior

Northern Peninsula Mayor leading the community on the vaccination journey

Community can’t afford to be complacent

Yarrabah’s ministry spreads COVID-19 vaccination message

One in, all in for Pastor Nathan’s mob

Building trust through vaccination outreach efforts in Far North Queensland

North Coast CEO Sharelle stepped up with her team

Sunshine Coast's Uncle Trevor got vaxxed to keep his family safe

Dr Janus fighting COVID vaccine misinformation in Injinoo

Mareeba’s Nattie got jabbed to #protectnan

Jahya’s jump into the COVID jab

Mario hates needles but hates COVID-19 more

Aunty Helen says get it done

Mareeba’s Naomi Courtney loves getting out and about.

Cherbourg’s Shane wants you to make sure you’re covered

Sandra’s sage advice

Torres Health veteran Uncle Phillip is a keen vaccine warrior

Northern Peninsula Mayor leading the community on the vaccination journey

Community can’t afford to be complacent

Yarrabah’s ministry spreads COVID-19 vaccination message

One in, all in for Pastor Nathan’s mob

Building trust through vaccination outreach efforts in Far North Queensland

Questions and answers

What now?

Once vaccinated

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