SHOT IN THE ARM

EFFORTS to ramp up COVID vaccinations in Wangaratta and district begin today, with Phillipson Street Clinic commencing a one-day a week session to vaccinate up to 400 elgible people as part of the Federal Government's Phase 1b rollout. The clinic will be providing vaccinations offsite at St Patrick's Hall every Wednesday, with assistance from St Catherine's Hostel, while still operating services at Phillipson Street. All eligible patients, not just those on the clinic's books, can access the weekly session. The clinic is among 300 practices in Australia that are to receive 400 immunisations per week for Phase 1b to immunise adults aged over 70 years, health care workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over 55, and adults with specified medical condition. Phillipson Street Clinic medical director Dr Patrick O'Connor told the Wangaratta Chronicle that they hoped to vaccine at least 250 to 260 people today at the hall. "The situation has been that 300 practices in Australia have been given 400 doses (weekly), we are one of those," Dr O'Connor said. "So that's 400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. "It comes in vials of eight doses in one; it looks like a relatively straight forward vaccine to get. "Phase 1b is essentially all the people who didn’t get vaccinated in Phase 1a, and people in Phase 1b are people over 70 and with chronic disease conditions. "It's very important they understand they should be getting the treatment because they are probably at a higher risk." Dr O'Connor said he hoped today would be a blueprint for future vaccinations and aims to vaccinate anybody who is eligible for Phase 1b. "We all have to do an immunisation course; it's a three hour course online and specifically for COVID is a special course, which we've all done," he said. "I think it's great to be doing this, it's ultimately the only way forward and the only way we can return to normality is to get some immunity in the community. "We're doing so well in this area; people are following all what they need to do." Dr O'Connor said the clinic also appreciated the assistance from St Catherine's to administer the rollout. "We're going to have to do it all again in three months' time, it's two doses three months apart," he said. The Federal Government's Phase 1b is expected to see more than six million Australians vaccinated, which will be followed by Phase 2a vaccinating 6,570,000 people. Eligible people for vaccination also include those with a disability, underlying health conditions, critical and high risk workers and meat processing. For those interested contact Phillipson Street Clinic on 5721 2167 between 10am and 4pm to make a vaccination appointment, and the service is not limited to the clinic's patients. For a list of full eligible criteria check covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility. People are also advised to check with your usual GP if they will be offering any COVID-19 immunisations.

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