South Western Sydney GPs have started vaccinating local residents this week as Phase 1B of the national Covid-19 vaccination program rolled out at general practices, respiratory clinics and Aboriginal health services.
Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Darryl Wright and Uncle Ivan Wellington were the first to be vaccinated at Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service in Airds on Monday morning.
Mr Wright said he felt only a “twitch” when the vaccine was administered, pictured above.
“We have all had needles in our life for the prevention of diseases like chickenpox and flu shots, some people are scared about it, but that needle didn’t hurt, it was just a twitch,” he said.
“I would say to everyone, don’t be afraid, it’s not only for your own good but for your family.”
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) is supporting the region’s 195 general practices and four GP respiratory clinics, and Tharawal AMS who are administering the vaccine as part of Phase 1B.
The Phase 1B priority group includes:
Elderly adults aged 70 years and over;
Healthcare workers not already addressed in Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout;
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 55;
Adults with an underlying medical condition, including those with a disability;
Critical and high-risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing.
SWSPHN chief executive officer Keith McDonald said all eligible general practices who confirmed their participation would be progressively included in the rollout over a four-week period starting from March 22.
He called on the community to be patient with staff at their local general practices when trying to book an appointment, as supplies of the vaccine gradually ramp up.
“We understand that some people may not be able to book an appointment immediately but everyone who wants a vaccination will eventually receive a vaccination.”
Dr McDonald said general practices were administering the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and were being supported in this phase of the rollout by GP respiratory clinics – like those at Fairfield, Campbelltown, Picton and Mittagong – and Aboriginal-controlled health services like Tharawal at Airds.
“I would encourage those who are in the priority groups to use the Vaccine Eligibility Checker to confirm their eligibility and make a booking to be vaccinated.”
Mr Wright said there had been a strong uptake of the vaccination amongst the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities so far.
“When we advertised it, and let people know that the vaccines were here for elders 55 and up, within 10 minutes we had 80 people booked,” he said.
“It’s about keeping healthy – we want to ensure that our elders and those with chronic disease in particular, don’t get the coronavirus.”
Dr Eva Constantinidis, a GP at Tharawal, was among the frontline health professionals to receive their jab on Monday.
She said wide-scale vaccination would play an integral part in moving forward from the Covid-19 pandemic by reducing the risk of people acquiring and transmitting the disease.
“The evidence shows it’s particularly important in reducing severe Covid and the need for people to be hospitalised.”
Dr Constantinidis said 80 patients received the vaccination jab on the first day.
She said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 55 and those with chronic conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, respiratory disease, and conditions causing immunosuppression, were eligible to be vaccinated under Phase 1B of the vaccination rollout.
“Those who are unsure can phone or come in for a face-to-face consultation to discuss their eligibility.”
