COVID-19 and flu vaccination that comes to you
The team of experienced GPs and nurses at SeenCare provides visiting immunisation services to workplaces, residential care facilities, community centres, and vulnerable individuals in Melbourne.
In most cases, our mobile vaccination service is bulk-billed, with no out-of-pocket cost to the patient or the organisation.
The COVID-19 vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect you and your loved ones against harm from COVID infection.
The Australian Government recommends COVID vaccination for everyone 5 years and older, including the full primary course of COVID-19 vaccines and regular boosters.
There are three types of COVID vaccine:
While each vaccine works in a slightly different way, they all result in your body being exposed to harmless inactive proteins found in the COVID-19 virus. When exposed to these proteins, your body starts to build an immune response against the virus.
When a vaccinated person is exposed to the COVID virus, their immune system recognises the virus and attacks it. This reduces the risk that a vaccinated person will experience serious illness and hospitalisation from COVID infection.
Yes!
Most people need three doses to achieve maximum immunity against COVID. Some people may need four doses.
Like influenza (the flu), the COVID-19 virus is constantly evolving, with several new variants having been discovered since 2019. Having regular boosters ensures that you have a good level of immunity against new COVID variants.
Watch the video below from the Victorian Department of Health explaining the importance of boosters.
In most cases, it is safe (and recommended) to undergo COVID-19 vaccination with an existing health condition.
In fact, people with certain conditions, such as diabetes or lung disease are at higher risk of harm from COVID infection. Therefore, vaccination can be even more important for these groups.
The doctor or nurse administering your COVID vaccine can answer any questions you have. However, vaccination is generally considered safe for:
Influenza (or ‘flu,’ for short) is a contagious viral infection of the airways. It can cause serious illness that may require hospitalisation or even cause death.
People of any age can get flu, but it is particularly dangerous for:
Flu vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you and the people close to you from the influenza virus.
Because the virus mutates each year, immunisation against flu is often referred to as ‘seasonal influenza vaccine’.
Each year, a new flu vaccine is developed to protect against the most common circulating strains of influenza.
Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone from mid-April onwards, so you are protected in the peak flu season from July to September.
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) funds a free influenza vaccine for groups in Australia considered most at risk from flu.
At risk groups include:
Where there are several at risk people in a similar area in Melbourne (such as a residential care facility), the SeenCare Mobile Vaccination Service may be able to provide free on-site flu vaccinations.
For private businesses and workplaces, please get in touch to discuss your needs with one of our team members.
Despite the benefits and wide availability of COVID vaccinations, many vulnerable people throughout Australia have missed out on being immunised.
To assist with this challenge, SeenCare’s Mobile Vaccination Service has been supported by funding from South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN), through the Australian Government’s PHN program.
This funding allows us to provide expanded access to free COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable individuals living within the Mornington Peninsula Local Government Area.
SEMPHN has identified vulnerable populations as including:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Culturally, Ethnically and Linguistically Diverse People
People Living with Disability
If you are a vulnerable person or work with someone fitting the criteria above, we can deliver the COVID-19 vaccine (and boosters) at no cost, in a flexible and easy way through our GP Vaccination Hub.
This might look like:
Please Note: We do not have a physical clinic location. However, our team will work with any eligible patient to deliver COVID vaccines in a mutually agreed upon safe place.
Yes. For most people, it’s safe to receive the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations at the same time. However, if you have any concerns or questions, please talk to your doctor.
Our SEMPHN funding is only for the Mornington Peninsula. But you can find the list of other GP Vaccination Hubs providing free COVID vaccines to vulnerable people on this web page.
All the vaccines used in Australia are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.
For a couple of days after either vaccine you might experience pain where you had the injection, tiredness, headache, or fever. These side effects are mild and usually go away on their own without treatment. But if you are concerned, please speak to a GP.
Yes. You may have some natural immunity if you have already had COVID-19 and recovered. However, having the COVID vaccine six months after confirmed infection (but not earlier) can provide additional protection against reinfection.
The Department of Health and Aged Care website has extensive information about the COVID-19 vaccines and the influenza (flu) vaccine.
