General practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and GP-led respiratory clinics have begun vaccinating North Coast residents as the Phase 1b COVID-19 vaccination rollout program got underway this week.
People across the region have been eager to learn more and book an appointment with their GP. We know our practices have been inundated with calls.
Healthy North Coast is advising our communities to stay patient. The advice for people wanting to get vaccinated as part of Phase 1b is to use the Vaccine Eligibility Checker.
The Vaccine Clinic Finder will then direct people to the list of clinics who are participating in Phase 1b. Residents are being encouraged to make a vaccination appointment with their regular GP in the first instance. GP respiratory clinics have appointments available for people whose general practice is not participating in the rollout.
Vaccine Delivery Delays
Across our region, some practices have experienced delays in vaccine delivery.
Not surprisingly, the severe weather and flooding has added another layer of complexity to what was already a large-scale public health undertaking.
Healthy North Coast’s Director of Operations and Engagement, Luke Elias says general practices have been very accommodating, understanding the complexity of the rollout and the unfolding weather events.
“Without the commitment of our local primary care providers to the vaccination program, it would simply not be possible,” says Luke.
“Within the next month, we are planning to have over 15,000 vaccines a week available in more than 100 locations across the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW region for our Phase 1b population.”
Working Together To Support Our Communities
Healthy North Coast has been working closely with our regional primary health care providers, from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie, to ensure they have the information and support they need for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
“We have been providing the latest information, updates and advice to support practices who are offering COVID-19 vaccination to the community,” says Luke.
“In the past week, we have responded to 1,700 emails and 700 phone calls related to the regional rollout. Over the same period, many patients have been in contact with their local GP to enquire about the vaccine.
“We have brought together local practices who have been sharing handy hints and tips to get ready for the rollout. Local meetings for the vaccine service providers have been very helpful in highlighting common challenges faced by GPs.
“These meetings are continuing for practices currently offering the vaccines and those about to commence in the coming weeks. They are helping us all to understand the needs of our practices and communities at this critical point in the fight against COVID-19.”
Stay Connected and Up to Date
Together, we are supporting the safe, effective and free rollout of the vaccine program on the North Coast.
As the vaccination program continues, anyone needing more information or help with a specific query is welcome to contact their local Primary Health Coordinator or Aboriginal Health Coordinator.
Follow the links below for more information and support.
Visit HealthPathways for information on:
Username: manchealth
Password: conn3ct3d
Visit our related Primary Care Impact topics:
- Delivering Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccination in general practice
- Plan and prepare stand-by capacity for COVID-19 vaccination in general practice
- Socially distanced vaccination in general practice
- Improve cold chain management of vaccines
- Improve recording and updating of immunisation data to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
- Improve checks on patient vaccination status when delivering influenza and COVID-19 vaccines
- Increase capacity of frontline staff to manage anxious or demanding patients during the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine rollouts
Join our next Immunisation Community of Practice webinar.