LOCAL communities are being asked to "be patient" as mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics move through the region.
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Western NSW Local Health District chief executive (WNSWLHD) Scott McLachlan, said it was "fantaistic that people are eager to start their vaccinations".
"We will be visiting all our rural communities, particularly those where there are no other options available locally to be vaccinated."
Mr McLachlan said the clinics would be prioritising local residents, as well as priority groups which include healthcare workers, aged care workers, disability workers, Aboriginal people and people over 16 with an underlying medical condition or disability.
He urged people to use the online elgibility checker before making an appointment with staff for the Pfizer vaccine.
"We also won't tolerate any aggression towards our staff. Please be respectful and courteous - our teams are doing everything they can to get you vaccinated as quickly as possible".
Mr McLachlan said that while the mobile clinics are offering the Pfizer vaccine at this time, the Local Health District is considering also offering the AstraZeneca vaccine at those clinics. Anyone unable to secure a Pfizer appointment at one of the community clinics will be asked to consider receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, should they be eligible.
AstraZeneca is also available at vaccination hubs in Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst.
"Both vaccines are known to be very safe and very effective. Fundamentally, if you're aged over 40 and are eligible for vaccination, we can likely provide an AstraZeneca vaccine at pretty short notice.
"It's definitely and option everyone eligible for AstraZeneca should be considering. Getting started on your vaccination program quickly is a great advantage."
Narromine residents encouraged to register for clinic
A COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be established in Narromine for a day on August 3.
The Western NSW Local Health District will operate a pop-up vaccination clinic at the Narromine Showground on Tuesday, August 3, with eligible recipients able to receive the first dose of the Pfizer jab.
The clinic will return on Tuesday, August 24, to provide second doses only.
The Pfizer vaccine is currently able to be accessed by:
- People aged 40-59 years old in the general population.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 16 years old, and;
- Anyone from a recognised vulnerable or priority group, aged over 16 years old.
Anyone who would like to make a booking is asked to call 1800 684 423 on Monday-Friday between 9am-3pm, leave a message with your name, contact number and town, and a staff member will call back to arrange a time.
Those wishing to have the vaccine are reminded they must NOT have any other vaccination (including influenza) seven days either side of the COVID vaccination.
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