Focus on vaccination

With no positive cases detected from the recent spate of exposure sites, the focus has now turned to increasing local vaccination rates.

The Gippsland Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU) said to date 9787 vaccines have been administered through the mass vaccination clinic in Wonthaggi.

This is made up of 6331 Pfizer and 3456 AstraZeneca vaccines. Additional vaccinations have also been done through local GPs.

Data was not available on how many of these doses were for first or second shots.

Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said it was important that people continued to come forward and be vaccinated.

She believes high vaccination rates are the only answer.

“It’s our way out of this. It’s the single thing that is probably going to make the difference between whether we are doing this stuff (restrictions and lockdowns) next year, or sitting back and enjoying things more.”

Vaccination is currently open to people aged 40 years and over.

People over 60 are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine unless they are in a specific category, such as a health care worker, or have an underlying medical condition.

People between 40 and 60 will received the Pfizer.

Ms Child agreed there was a degree of vaccine hesitancy in the community.

“All the tussle with AstraZeneca has not helped and the clotting risk is a big factor in people’s minds. I think that’s certainly meant people across the board think all vaccines are tricky.”

However she urged people not to put off having the vaccine, saying the past week’s events had shown that even in the regions, the community was vulnerable to a Covid outbreak.

Pfizer

Ms Child said this week the Wonthaggi clinic was focused on getting Pfizer to the 1A workforce – healthcare workers, paramedics and aged care and disability workers.

However, with additional supplies of Pfizer due at the end of the week, Ms Child said more bookings for the public should become available.

“Appointments will open up as soon as supplies open up.”

From this week, women who are pregnant (aged 16 years and over) can now receive the Pfizer vaccine through the vaccination centre.

The latest Covid information released by the Victorian Government stated Pfizer was the preferred vaccine for pregnant women and that global data had “not found any significant safety concerns with COVID-19 vaccines given at any stage of pregnancy”.

Ms Child urged anyone wanting a Pfizer vaccine – either for their first or second dose – to make a booking.

GRPHU advised bookings were required for the Pfizer vaccine at all community clinics in Gippsland.

AstraZeneca

With a plentiful supply of AstraZeneca on hand, Ms Child urged eligible people to come forward, including those due for their second dose.

“If you’ve had one dose – please have the second. There are no clinical concerns around the second dose of AstraZeneca,” she said.

“AstraZeneca is still a safe vaccine for people in their older years.”

The clinic will accept walk-ins for AstraZeneca vaccinations.

In line with advice from AGATI, although Pfizer is still the preferred vaccine for people under 60 years, adults over 18 years who can provide “informed consent” can receive AstraZeneca through GPs.

The Community Vaccination Clinic at the Wonthaggi Town Hall is currently open from 9am to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and 10am – 6pm on Wednesdays.

Clinic hours may change based on staffing and demand.

For the latest opening hours, visit www.covidbasscoasthealth.org.au/covid-19updates or check the BCH Facebook page.

To book an appointment go to www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment or call 1800 675 398.

For information on vaccines and eligibility, visit www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines