COVID-19 vaccinations … what’s happening?

Relief may be in sight for local residents waiting to receive their Covid vaccination.

There are currently only limited vaccinations available locally for eligible residents in the 1a and 1b group.

However that could soon change.

CEO Jan Child said Bass Coast Health had been working with the Gippsland Public Health Unit and Bass Coast Shire Council to set up a mass vaccination clinic in Wonthaggi.

Last week, the Victorian government confirmed it will be expanding its program of mass vaccination clinics and said its COVID-19 vaccination program was on track to deliver 300,000 total doses at state vaccination sites by May 16.

While the Town Hall in Wonthaggi has been flagged as the ideal site for the local clinic, there is no potential start date, as health officials can’t confirm when vaccines will be made available.

Eager residents were keen to book a spot at the new clinic, but Ms Child said it was not possible to take bookings until a start date was confirmed.

“People have already started to ring Council and BCH to book in, but please don’t do that yet. As soon as the system is up and running, we will get the word out, so people know how to book in.”

It’s hoped the clinic will be operating by the end of April.

Initially the clinic will work to vaccinate any residents in the 1a and 1b group who haven’t received their first injection yet.

At the moment, only a small number of local GPs are providing a vaccination service and most of these are booked out. Some clinics are only administering vaccines to existing patients. Although more GP clinics are expected to come on board, Ms Child said for many doctors, it simply wasn’t possible to provide the vaccination service.

“The logistics are tricky, so you need to have the right facility,” Ms Child said.

“You need to be able to observe people for 15 minutes after the vaccination, so many GP clinics don’t have the room. Everyone is keen for the mass vaccination clinics to pick up the excess.”

While eligible residents from across the shire would be able to use the Wonthaggi mass vaccination clinic when it opens, Ms Child said BCH was looking for potential venues on Phillip Island or Corinella, because of the distance.

“We recognise it will be difficult for some people to get to Wonthaggi, and even closer places could be difficult for some people. We need to work out how to get to those people who are vulnerable or with transport issues, so there’s still a level of planning to do.”

She said the vaccination teams from Gippsland Public Health, Council and BCH were working together, with teams requiring special Covid vaccination training.

There also needed to be enough administrative staff to handle the consent process associated with the vaccinations.

Concerns

Last week’s decision by the Federal government to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on anyone under 50, due to serious side effects, has given rise to increased confusion and concern about the vaccination program.

However Ms Child said it was important not to get caught up in mistruths around the vaccination roll out and the side-effects of the different vaccines.

She described the Federal government decision not to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine to people aged under 50 as “incredibly overly cautious” and confirmed she had received the vaccination.

“I think the risks are so rare and the reality of Covid is so scary, but everyone will have to weigh it up for themselves. We will make sure we have the right information on our website, and direct people to true sources, so they really understand the risk.”

Ms Child said all the residents and staff at Kirrak House and Griffith Point Lodge had received their second injection of the Pfizer vaccine.

To date, almost 280 Bass Coast Health staff have also been vaccinated.

For the latest local Covid information, go to ww.covidbasscoasthealth.org.au/covid-19updates.