Yarrawonga Medical Clinic general practitioner Dr Clyde Ronan said the clinic’s much-anticipated arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine will be a game changer and is appealing to the local community to take up the “safe vaccine” as it comes available to them.
Dr Ronan said the Yarrawonga Medical Clinic will run clinics every day and night if necessary.
“We have a conviction to see our community vaccinated and protected,” Dr Ronan said.
“We have the vaccine, and myself and my willing staff will stretch ourselves to make this program successful.”
Yarrawonga Medical Clinic took its first delivery of the Astra-Zeneca Vaccine last week and have been flooded with people from all over the region wanting to book in for the vaccine.
Today, Wednesday March 24 the clinic will administer the first patient with the vaccine as part of the 1b rollout phase. The number of GP practices able to deliver vaccines will progressively expand to more than 4000 by the end of April and the Denis Medical Clinic will be one of those. The Denis Medical will be contacting eligible patients by SMS asking them to book in as vaccines become available.
Phase 1b rollout of the vaccine includes close to six million Australian residents including those who are 70 years of age and over, health or emergency workers, indigenous residents and those residents that have a chronic illness or a serious medical condition.
Dr Ronan said clarification of eligibility can be made with the assistance of the clinic staff.
“We will triage patients through appropriately under the guidelines set outby the chief medical officer.”
Residents can also make appointments via a National Booking Service that can be accessed from the Department of Health’s website or by directly ringing the practices listed on the vaccine clinic finder on the same website.
Before making an appointment people are being urged to check whether they are eligible to get a vaccine at this stage of the rollout using Department of Health’s eligibility checker. Go to health.gov.au/covid19-vaccines
Patients attending an unfamiliar practice to receive the vaccine will need to take along documents such as a driver’s licence or passport that proves their age or a letter from their doctor outlining they have a medical condition that qualifies them for the vaccine.
Government issued documents from Medicare or Centrelink that list a person’s age will also be accepted as proof.
Australia’s medical watchdog, Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly and the World Health Organisation reassured Australians last week the AstraZeneca vaccine that will be used in the new stage of the rollout is safe after major European countries halted use of the shot over fears it could cause blood clots.
“Extensive international experience does not indicate an increased risk of blood clots associated with the vaccine. Blood clots can occur naturally and are not uncommon,” the Therapeutic Goods Administration said in a statement.
Dr Ronan said the vaccine has been well tested and safe.
“There will be the nay-sayers who are frightened of something new,” he said.
“Please be reassured that you have much more to fear in terms of coronavirus infection than any imagined consequences of vaccination.
“I strongly support the COVID-19 vaccination roll out which is happening now. This virus is not going to just go away.”
“I will be having my dose as soon as possible because I am eligible, and I wish to protect myself, my family, and my community, and so that I can more safely stay at work.
“The 1b vaccine rollout is an exciting development to be a part of as it reaches out into the community and protects higher risk people and reduces transmission to others.
“I will continue to follow the advice of our scientists, epidemiologists, and Chief Medical Officer.”
Dr Ronan said community wide vaccination is the best chance we have of protecting the population from the serious consequences of coronavirus infection (such as death), and protection of our communities from transmission to others.
“The Yarrawonga Medical Clinic stands ready to help right now with this roll out as it is the best chance, we have to free up the world from the pandemic. We must all help,” Dr Ronan said.
