Who is eligible for the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines? How do I get one?
With lockdowns gripping much of the country and government messaging around vaccines shifting, you might be considering whether it's time to get the jab. And while most people can now request to be vaccinated with AstraZeneca, the rules  and health advice  can be confusing. Here's what you need to know. Any Australian over the age of 40 can book a COVID vaccination with either their GP or a vaccination clinic and receive the vaccine recommended for their age group. This also applies to priority workers, people with underlying conditions and Indigenous people over 16. The rules about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility have shifted. ( AP: Steven Senne  People over 60 will get the AstraZeneca vaccine, while the Pfizer vaccine is preferred for people under 60. However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday that the above advice does not prevent younger people from approaching their GP and asking for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which Australia has a larger supply of. A key change that opens up the AstraZeneca vaccine to under 40s is the introduction of an indemnity scheme. That scheme will protect doctors who administer the vaccine in the event a patient develops a very rare clotting condition linked to AstraZeneca. It will also allow the patient to receive compensation without establishing anyone was at fault. The rare clotting condition associated with AstraZeneca is slightly more common among younger people, who are also less at risk of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19, hence the differing advice. The decision to allow under-40s access to the AstraZeneca vaccine if they've made an informed choice about the risks has been met with confusion from some state governments. Officials in both the Queensland and WA governments have said they don't want to see under-40s given the AstraZeneca vaccine, based on their states' medical advice. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 3 minutes 14 seconds 3 m 14 s Jeannette Young says she doesn't want under-40s to get the AstraZeneca vaccine. But Health Minister Greg Hunt said "the medical advice has been clear" that people could elect to have the AstraZeneca vaccine after being informed of the risks. "What has changed is to make sure that we have medical indemnity available for the doctors," he said. Australia's immunisation group ATAGI has this to say about offering the vaccine to younger people:  "AstraZeneca can be used in adults aged under 60 years for whom [Pfizer] is not available, the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks for that individual and the person has made an informed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits." Vaccines are available through a number of providers including state clinics, GPs and Commonwealth clinics  There are a number of different ways to book your vaccination. The federal health website offers an eligibility checker, which will lead you to either booking an appointment, or registering your interest to be vaccinated. The eligibility checker gives under-40s the option of accepting AstraZeneca, and will allow you to book an appointment if you choose it. Many states also run COVID vaccination hotlines, which you can call to book an appointment. If you have a regular GP you can book in a consultation with their practice directly. This is particularly recommended for under-60s who want to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. Some clinics have also reportedly accepted walk-ins, however, the practice is relatively rare, according to the Australian Medical Association.