News

Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) is extremely pleased with the response from the region’s residents to the Commonwealth Government’s rollout of the free COVID-19 Vaccinations.

Many of our residents have either already been fully vaccinated, received their first vaccination as part of the program, or have made their booking to receive their vaccination course soon.

Particular priority has been placed on ensuring our region’s Aged Care Facility Residents, elderly, residents with pre-existing medical issues, Indigenous residents over the age of 50 and our frontline Health Professionals are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

However, we still have a long way to go, and as Vaccination supply increases in our region, booking availability will also continue to increase.

For the first time in more than a year, Western NSW Local Health District announced a confirmed case of COVID-19 in our region on Tuesday (July 20) and this highlights not only the importance of personal hygiene, correctly wearing masks and abiding by the NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions, but also just how vitally important it is that as many of our region’s residents are vaccinated against COVID-19 in as timely a fashion as possible.

WNSW PHN understands that appointments for COVID-19 Vaccinations are currently booked some weeks in advance, but the sooner bookings are made, the sooner we can get everyone vaccinated, and we appreciate everyone’s patience at this time as availability improves over the coming weeks and months.

As advised by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the AstraZeneca Vaccine is the preferred vaccine for people aged 60 years and over.

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine is available at all Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics and those General Practices in Western NSW who are part of the vaccination program.

ATAGI recommends that the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine is the preferred vaccine for all people under the age of 60 years. This means all adults 60 years and over should book in for the AstraZeneca vaccine, while those under 60 should book for Pfizer vaccine.

Anyone under the age of 60 years considering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine should consult with their usual GP to make an informed decision.

The Western NSW Local Health District has the Pfizer vaccine available at their vaccination hubs located at Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst, while Pfizer is also available at the Cowra, Bathurst and Mudgee GP Respiratory Clinics, while some other GP Respiratory Clinics will begin offering Pfizer in coming weeks and months, as well as some Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).

These locations are on top of the Pharmacies announced by NSW Health on July 1st that are also joining the vaccination program rollout and are administering the AstraZeneca Vaccine.

These pharmacies include:

• Dunedoo Pharmacy, 86 Bolaro Street, Dunedoo
• Gilgandra Pharmacy, 49 Miller Street, Gilgandra
• Gulgong Dispensary, 119 Mayne Street, Gulgong
• Narromine Pharmacy, 53 Dandaloo Street, Narromine
• Wentworth Pharmacy, 15 Sandwych Street, Wentworth

We urge everyone who hasn’t already received their COVID-19 Vaccine to make their booking via the online eligibility checker, at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility.

Those seeking more information on AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines, and how to prepare for their vaccination, can access the COVID-19 Vaccination Patient Resources at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/covid-19-vaccination-patient-resources.

Residents with questions for concerns regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations should consult their regular GP.