GENERAL practices across the Riverland began taking bookings for COVID-19 vaccinations this week after the Federal Government’s vaccine rollout progressed to phase 1b.
GP clinics in Waikerie, Loxton, Renmark, Berri and Barmera all joined the vaccination program on Monday, along with more than 1000 practices across Australia.
Barker MP Tony Pasin said the clinics would play a “vital role” in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
“Phase 1b of the rollout will see 1000 general practices and respiratory clinics across Australia delivering COVID-19 vaccines for our elderly and immunocompromised, progressively increasing in number to more than 4000 by the end of April,” he said.
“Australians eligible for phase 1b will be able to find a vaccination provider through the new national vaccination information and location service, at the Department of Health website.”
“This will enable people to locate their nearest general practice providing vaccinations and link through to their online booking system or phone number to make the appointment.”
“Vaccines are the game-changer in our fight against the COVID-19 virus and I urge everyone in Australia to come forward and get vaccinated when they are able to.
“It will protect themselves, their family, and their community.”
The opening of clinics at general practices follows the delivery of the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine to the Riverland General Hospital in Berri last Tuesday.
Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network CEO Wayne Champion said State Government-operated vaccine clinics across the Riverland would distribute the Pfizer vaccine, except in Waikerie where the AstraZeneca jab is being distributed.
“We will also use AstraZeneca at all of the Mallee and Coorong sites,” he said.
“There are two hubs: a Murray Bridge hub for AstraZeneca and a Riverland hub for Pfizer.
“This has been determined by location, logistics and a little bit about the timing of the vaccine availability.
“Now that the Pfizer vaccine has been delivered to the Riverland General Hospital, it is now being distributed to the surrounding sites.
“The Commonwealth Government will organise the vaccination of the broader community in phases, probably through GP practices.
“We are still learning what their plans are.”
Mr Champion said the timing of the second vaccine dose differed depending on which brand of vaccine is administered.
“It’s three to four weeks between the Pfizer vaccinations so the people who are vaccinated today will be fully protected in a month’s time, whereas it’s 12 weeks for AstraZeneca,” he said.
“It will be three months before the people in Waikerie will be fully protected.”
Mr Champion said SA Health was responsible for distributing the vaccine to aged care residents in State Government-run nursing homes.
“The Commonwealth Government has an independent provider that has been contracted to do the private aged care homes,” he said.
“Aged care residents will have received the vaccine either last week or this week, depending on the location they are in.
“There will be clinics set up (to administer the vaccine) on aged care facility sites.”
Mr Champion urged people to receive the vaccine as soon as they can once eligible.
“It’s really important for the whole community that people get vaccinated for their own health and wellbeing, to reduce the risk of severe complications with COVID-19 for themselves and to protect other people around them and their loved ones,” he said.
“Being vaccinated breaks the transmission chain and reduces the threat of someone else catching COVID-19 off you, and therefore protects the whole community.
“I’m hopeful that people will pick up that message.
“The risks are very low and the benefits to the whole community and economy, in terms of opening up, freeing up exports and opening international tourism to Australia, are immense.”