19 Apr Aged care residents and priority staff get 2nd COVID jab

Photo Caption: TDHS aged care resident Sam Bamford was among those to receive their follow up Pfizer shots from Barwon Health Regional Vaccination Hub workers on Friday, April 9.

The national COVID-19 vaccination roll-out continued in Timboon earlier this month when frontline workers and aged care residents at Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) received the second of their two Pfizer doses.

TDHS acting chief executive officer Tanya Wines said 25 ‘Priority 1A’ staff and two current aged care residents received their first shots on March 22 and completed their 2021 vaccinations with follow-up doses on Friday, April 9.

“Barwon Health were once again onsite with their regional vaccination hub pharmacists and administrators to coordinate the vaccinations,” Mrs Wines said.

“Our community health nurse Amanda Nash supported the Barwon Health team – performing many of the vaccination injections herself.

“Pfizer requires special handling in terms of temperature and other specific controls so it is managed very carefully to make sure the vaccines are delivered successfully.”

Mrs Wines explained that if and when additional Pfizer vaccinations were available to the general public, it would only ever be delivered via super clinics outside the immediate area that could manage the sensitive controls required.

“At this stage, our advice is that remaining healthcare workers at TDHS are in line for AstraZeneca shots this month and hopefully more will arrive in our area for community members shortly after,” she said.

“However, we have made the decision that no staff under the age of 50 will receive AstraZeneca here, at this stage.

“TDHS still believes the benefits of AstraZeneca still outweigh any known risks for people over the age of 50.  We encourage community members to get vaccinated when it is available and recommended for their age group.

“When AstraZeneca becomes available to the general public we will advise the community.”

To check your eligibility please visit www.covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility