HEALTHY North Coast, the delivery arm of the Primary Health Care Network on the North Coast reports that almost fifty seven thousand COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in the region.

The strong support for the vaccination program across the region has been a mix of the AstraZeneca vaccination and the Pfizer vaccination.

A Healthy North Coast spokesperson said, “So far, 51,663 doses of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered, predominantly through primary care, and more than 5,300 Pfizer doses have been provided to older people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) and frontline health workers.”

From 17 May local vaccine supplies have increased as participating general practices receive more doses to offer patients.

Local Health Districts are also increasing vaccination clinics across the region.

Healthy North Coast Chief Executive Julie Sturgess said, “It’s terrific to see vaccination numbers going up in our region and excellent we have passed the 50,000 milestone.

“We are a long way off the majority of North Coast residents being vaccinated though,” she cautioned.

“The threat of a COVID-19 outbreak remains a real possibility.

“Expanding the dose availability in the coming weeks will give more and more residents the opportunity to get protected, which is great,” she said.

In the Australian Government’s staged rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program, the most vulnerable people in the community are targeted to receive their vaccination first.

There are two different COVID-19 vaccines currently available in Australia – AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

In general, the AstraZeneca vaccine is recommended for people aged 50 and over and the Pfizer vaccine is recommended for people under 50.

Anyone aged fifty and over can now make an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

You can make a booking with your local participating GP, one of several centrally located GP Respiratory Clinics or your local Aboriginal Medical Service.

Check the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker for a list of services available in your area.

 

By Sandra MOON