(adpated from information provided by CESPHN Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Healthcare Network)
NSW COVID-19 outbreak UPDATE There are now 864 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in NSW reported since 16 June 2021.
Vaccination rollout progress in our region Central Eastern and South Sydney. In the last week:
an additional 46,100 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered - 27 per cent were AstraZeneca vaccines and 73 per cent were Pfizer vaccines and
the total doses of vaccines administered to people living in the region was 413,267 doses as at 11 July 2021.
To be fully vaccinated, the total number of doses required to completely vaccinate those aged over 15 years is estimated to be 2,826,464 doses. As at 11 July 2021, an estimated 14.3 per cent of total doses required have been administered to people living in the region (1.5% increase from last week).
Premier Medicine has been offered an increase in allocation of Pfizer vaccine to 300 doses per week, which we have accepted
HOW LONG DO I LEAVE BETWEEN DOSES OF ASTRAZENECA?
On 13 July, ATAGI released a statement which recommends that in outbreak situations, a shorter interval of 4 to 8 weeks is preferred between the first and second doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. Shortening the gap between first and second doses will bring forward short term protection, which is expected to be beneficial in outbreak situations.
Given the heightened risk of people becoming infected, ATAGI’s advice in responding to such an outbreak of the COVID-19 delta strain is that anyone who has received an AstraZeneca vaccine more than 4 weeks ago should arrange their second dose as soon as possible.
ATAGI has also reinforced its earlier advice that the benefits to people aged 60 or over of being vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine strongly outweigh the risks – and that vaccination is essential for this group in the context of an outbreak.
Noting the current constrained supply of the Pfizer vaccine, ATAGI also recommends adults under the age of 60 who do not have immediate access to the Pfizer vaccine should consider the benefits and risks of earlier protection through the AstraZeneca vaccine. This recommendation is in the context of an outbreak increasing the risk of people contracting COVID-19 – and hence the increased benefit vaccination provides. Click here for more information.
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR ASTRAZENECA VACCINE BOOKING
You can do this by booking online via the www.premiermedicine.com.au our website. You can cancel the previously booked later appointment online only if you booked it that way, alternatively cancel it when you attend the surgery. NB AstraZeneca vaccines are available on Tuesday and Thursdays ONLY
PLEASE NOTE WE CANNOT OFFER YOU A PFIZER VACCINE IF YOU DO NOT FALL INTO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS LISTED BELOW:
All adults aged 40-59
People aged 16-39 years who are:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
NDIS participants and carers of NDIS participants
People diagnosed with a disability attending centre-based services such as day programs or supported employment
Carers of a person with a disability or an elderly person
Living with an underlying medical condition that increases their risk of severe COVID-19 (see ATAGI clinical guidance)
Residents and staff of disability group homes
Critical and high risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing
Health, aged or disability care workers including administrative staff in health care settings
Quarantine and border workers and their household contacts
Pregnant women although they are not yet picked up by the eligibility checker, current ATAGI advice is that pregnant women are an at risk group and should be vaccinated is that pregnant women are an at risk group and should be vaccinated
People aged 16 and above (with no upper age limit) who are:
resident or staff of an aged care home
People aged 60 and above with a contraindication to the AZ vaccine including a past history of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), idiopathic splanchnic (mesenteric, portal, splenic) vein thrombosis or antiphospholipid syndrome with thrombosis, severe adverse reaction to a previous dose of AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine
If you meet the eligibility criteria you can book online via premiermedicine.com.au
But ONLY on Monday, Wednesday or Friday as these are the days we vaccinate with Pfizer.
If you book an appointment and you are not eligible we will offer you an AstraZeneca vaccine instead.