Central Coast MPs met with NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, and Central Coast Health District CEO, Brad Astill, last Friday, September 17, to discuss growing COVID cases, vaccination rates, and what more could be done to control the Delta strain in the region.
It was positive and informative said Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast, Adam Crouch, who hosted the briefing to tackle the pandemic in a bipartisan approach.
“Dr Chant made it abundantly clear that there should be no hesitation in everyone on the Central Coast getting vaccinated and she emphasised many times that the best vaccine is the one in your arm.
“By getting vaccinated we not only protect ourselves, but also reduce the strain on the health system,” Crouch said.
Dr Chant highlighted the incredible facilities available at Gosford and Wyong hospitals to rapidly administer COVID-19 vaccines on a very large scale, as soon as the Federal Government increased its supply of Pfizer to NSW Health.
At least 60 per cent of all Pfizer vaccines are being provided to GPs, rather than distribution through NSW Health.
Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said more GP clinics have been administering Pfizer vaccine since Monday, September 20.
Later this week local pharmacies will start administering Moderna vaccine in suburbs including Bateau Bay, Gorokan, Gwandalan, Kanwal, Lake Haven, North Wyong, The Entrance, Toowoon Bay and Toukley.
“I have been advised by the Central Coast Primary Health Network that an additional 31 GP clinics will be online from Monday,” she said.
“The 31 GPs are in addition to the 15 GPs, the Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation that have been administering Pfizer in our community for months.
“This brings the total number of GPs administering Pfizer on the Central Coast to 45,” Wicks said
She said there was ample supply of AstraZeneca with more than 100 locations across the Coast.
A vaccine hub is now open for Pfizer vaccine at Westfield Tuggerah for people in the disability and aged care sector.
It is open Monday to Wednesday between 9am to 3pm for people living with disability, workers/volunteers in disability sector, household members of a disability client, teachers in the disability sector and aged care workers.
Bookings can be made by emailing nswbookings@aspenmedical.com
Every Sunday between 7am and 3pm, Wyong and Gosford hospitals are operating as mass vaccination clinics, offering AstraZeneca vaccines on a first-in first-served basis.
Walk-in vaccination clinics are also held at Wyong Hospital’s outpatient department, via the main entrance, on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6am to 11.30am.
Anyone who is over 18, who is not pregnant, and who does not have medical contraindications can receive an AstraZeneca vaccine.
There are about 100 local pharmacies, GPs and clinics offering AstraZeneca.
The 12- to 17-year-old age group can now be vaccinated with Pfizer and Moderna vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for the 12- to 15-year-olds.
To make a booking or for more information go online to COVID-19 vaccines eligibility checker.
The Central Coast has now reached a first-dose vaccination level of 81.9 per cent and 51.5 per cent of us are fully vaccinated (as at September 21).
Sue Murray