Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child is urging the community to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to remember that a full vaccination does not eliminate their risk of transmitting the virus to others.
“We are so thrilled that people are actively getting their jab but we also know that people are mistakenly thinking that just because they have received a double jab they won’t transmit the virus. That couldn’t be further from the truth,” she said.
“A jab does not stop you from getting COVID and it certainly doesn’t stop you from spreading it to the people you love. The vaccinations will help prevent people from becoming very unwell and will give themselves maximum protection from the virus.
“They also need to keep themselves and others safe by following all the other public health directives at the time: wearing a face mask indoors and outdoors, sanitising their hands frequently, practising physical distancing, and most importantly, get tested at the hint of any slight symptom.
“People MUST get tested as soon as they show any symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever or a runny nose. This helps us understand where the virus is and helps us contain it quickly.”
Ms Child thanked the community for an overwhelming response to her calls for the community to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Staff at the Community Vaccination Clinic at Wonthaggi Town Hall administered 1936 vaccines from Monday to Friday last week.
“Vaccinating our community is one of the best protections we can afford ourselves, our family and our friends from this virus, with the new Delta strain highly contagious,” Ms Child said.
“Vaccination is the long-term way forward to reduce the financial impact on our businesses, the pressure on families and teachers due to remote learning, and the disruption to our community and sporting groups that are unable to meet.
“It has been so pleasing to see masses of people turning out to the Wonthaggi Town Hall during the week to be vaccinated not only for their own health, but also the health of the community.
“I urge anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to do so now.”
A change to eligibility last week saw everyone aged 16 years and over eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone aged 16–59 years is now eligible for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, while the AstraZeneca is available for everyone aged over 60 years. There are no eligibility criteria for this group other than age.
Young people aged 12-15 years are eligible for a Pfizer vaccine if they have:
• an underlying medical condition
• are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Existing exemptions for priority cohorts to receive the COVID-19 vaccine remain.
People aged 18-39 years who have already booked for their first vaccine dose will be offered the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. They do not need to rebook or change their existing vaccine appointment.
People who have already had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will be offered a second dose of the same vaccine brand. Eligible adults aged 18-59 years can choose to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at the Community Vaccination Clinic at the Wonthaggi Town Hall, or participating doctors’ clinics and pharmacies, respiratory clinics and community health centres.
Bookings must be made for all Pfizer appointments by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 or online: https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au
Only healthcare workers, disability workers and aged care workers can walk in without an appointment for Pfizer. People over 60 also can walk in for their AstraZeneca without an appointment.
“The vaccination team at BCH asks the community to please be patient in making their vaccination booking,” Ms Child said.
“The online booking portal was overwhelmed with demand last week. If people are unable to make a booking the first time, such as if the system is saying there are no appointments available in the immediate future, we urge them to keep on trying. An appointment will eventually be available for them.”
Ms Child was pleased to report that 70 per cent of BCH staff were fully vaccinated against COVID, 80 per cent of staff had had a first dose and 98 per cent had been vaccinated for the flu.
BCH staff conducted a total of 1232 COVID tests last week, with the Wonthaggi tent doing 922 tests, Cowes tent 294 tests and a further 16 tests done at Kirrak House aged care facility at Wonthaggi.
Ms Child acknowledged the mental toll the ongoing lockdowns may have on people in the Bass Coast.
“Please be kind to yourselves and each other. Reach out to family or friends, spoil yourselves with a treat, eat well and exercise, and do something you love,” she said.
Anyone needing assistance can contact BCH’s Counselling team by contacting BCH’s Access team by phoning 5671 3175 or emailing access@basscoasthealth.org.au
Other useful contacts:
• Headspace 5671 5900
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
• Mental Health Triage 1300 363 322
• Triple Zero 000.