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Check your personal risk profile

Your age and personal health history may affect how your body responds to the virus or the vaccine. Talk to your doctor or health care provider if any of the statements below apply to you.


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You may be at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and its health problems if:1

  • you are aged 70 years or older (noting that risk increases with age, even if you're under 70 years of age)
  • you have had an organ transplant and are on immune-suppressive therapy
  • you have had a bone marrow transplant in the last 24 months
  • you are having certain cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • you have a long-term health problem such as chronic lung disease, kidney failure, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure 
  • you have challenges with your weight, such as obesity
  • you have a compromised immune system
  • you are pregnant
  • you have a disability that requires help with daily living activities.
     
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COVID-19 vaccination may not be recommended for you if:2

  • you have a past history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia syndrome (HITS) or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) (relevant for the AstraZeneca vaccine) 
  • you have had a history of idiopathic splanchnic (mesenteric, portal, splenic) venous thrombosis (relevant for the AstraZeneca vaccine)
  • you have a history of inflammatory cardiac illness within the past three months (for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines).3 People with these conditions can still receive a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine; however, your GP or cardiologist will recommend the best timing for vaccination
  • you have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or an ingredient
  • you have had any other serious adverse event attributed to a previous dose
  • you have had a current acute illness, including a fever.
     

+ References

  1. Australian Government Department of Health. Advice for people at risk of coronavirus. https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/advice-for-people-at-risk-of-coronavirus-covid-19 
  2. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Clinical guidance on use of COVID-19 vaccine in Australia. in 2021 (v7.0). 19 August 2021. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/08/covid-19-vaccination-atagi-clinical-guidance-on-covid-19-vaccine-in-australia-in-2021.pdf 
  3. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ), the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australian College of Remote and Rural Medicine (ACRRM), and the Australasian College of Emergency (ACEM). (2021) Guidance on Myocarditis and Pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines. Updated 9 November. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-guidance-on-myocarditis-and-pericarditis-after-mrna-covid-19-vaccines