To discuss any of these FAQs, your options or if you need further information, please call Positive Life NSW on (02) 8357 8386, 1800 245 677 (freecall outside metro) during business hours or email contact@positivelife.org.au
1 Where can I go to find reputable information about the COVID-19 vaccines?
To support you to stay informed, below is a short list of reputable websites where you can learn the latest news about COVID-19, details about the variety of COVID-19 vaccines, and other public health advice relating to people living with HIV in NSW.
2 Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people living with HIV?
Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people living with HIV. COVID-19 vaccines meet the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) standards for assessing all COVID-19 vaccines before they can be used in Australia.
3 Will the COVID-19 vaccine have any negative interactions with my antiretroviral HIV medication?
There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines interact with HIV antiretroviral medicines or causes HIV viral load to increase.
4 Does the COVID-19 vaccine contain live COVID-19 virus?
None of the COVID-19 vaccines used in Australia contain a live virus that can cause COVID-19.
5 Are people living with HIV at higher risk of poor health outcomes if diagnosed with COVID-19?
So far, studies have shown contradictory conclusions, and more research is needed to show whether people living with HIV are at higher risk of poor health outcomes if diagnosed with COVID-19. All studies of severe outcomes found that underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and hypertension, contributed substantially to the increased risk observed in people living with HIV.
People living with HIV with a CD4 count below 200 cells/µL, or who are not taking HIV treatment, or who have a detectable viral load may be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness if they contract COVID-19. People living with HIV with a very low CD4 count (below 50 cells/µL) or who have had an opportunistic illness in the last six months should follow isolation practices under their doctor’s instructions and take extra precautions to prevent acquiring COVID-19.
People living with HIV who are taking HIV treatment and have an undetectable viral load and no other underlying health conditions, and have a CD4 count over 200 cells/µL, are considered at no greater risk if diagnosed with COVID-19 than the general population.
6 How many COVID-19 vaccines are currently available in Australia?
Currently there are two COVID-19 vaccines currently available in Australia: Comirnaty (Pfizer), and Spikevax (Moderna). As the coronavirus mutates, and as immunity wanes over time, booster shots are recommended.
7 Do I still need to have the COVID-19 vaccine, if I’ve already had COVID-19?
Yes. People who have had COVID-19 should be vaccinated with your next COVID-19 vaccine, either primary course or booster doses, 3 months after the confirmed infection. A longer gap between infection and vaccination is likely to lead to a better immune response and result in longer protection from reinfection.
8 What are the potential side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) considers information about possible side effects as part of the approval process. Every medicine has potential side effects, and this is normal. A small number of people may experience more severe side effects, although these are also temporary. After you receive the vaccine, you will be monitored for a short time for any adverse effects.
Click here to learn more about side effects after COVID-19 vaccines. (Australian Department of Health and Aged Care)
9 Is the COVID-19 vaccine free if I don’t have Medicare?
Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia regardless of Medicare or visa status.
10 Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I’m not eligible for Medicare?
If you’re not eligible for Medicare or don’t hold a Medicare card, you can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free at respiratory clinics and other state-run vaccination clinics. To find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Vaccine clinic finder or call the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccine Helpline on 1800 020 080.
11 How can I get proof that I’ve been fully vaccinated?
You can get a COVID-19 digital certificate or your immunisation history statement to show proof of your vaccinations. How you get proof will depend on your situation. This includes if you need to create a myGov account, link services or enrol in Medicare. Visit this page to find out more.
12 Who is eligible for oral COVID-19 antivirals?
People at higher risk of severe illness are eligible for antiviral treatments. NSW Health recommends you discuss this with your GP or nurse in advance whether an oral antiviral suits your health needs and whether you need to develop a COVID-19 plan if you test positive to COVID-19.
If someone tests positive for COVID-19 and are at higher risk of severe illness they may be eligible to receive the PBS subsidised supply of the COVID-19 antivirals through the PBS.
There are a number of potential complex and serious drug–drug interactions identified with Paxlovid that can result in severe or life-threatening side effects, or reduce the drugs’ effectiveness against COVID-19. These include the HIV antiretroviral medicines, Atazanavir, Darunavir, Efavirenz, Fosamprenavir, Maraviroc, Nevirapine, Saquinavir, Tipranavir, Raltegravir, Zidovudine, and Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir (Biktarvy).
