21 Apr It’s time to roll up your sleeve, says TDHS CEO

Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) chief executive officer Rebecca Van Wollingen jumped at the chance to receive her COVID-19 vaccination today and hopes community members follow suit as soon as they are also eligible.

“My message is that some members of the community are eligible now and others might have the opportunity to get vaccinated very soon, so start thinking about it,” she said.

Priority 1A staff at TDHS and aged care residents received their Pfizer shots over the past month, however staff not on the frontline were ineligible until last week.

Ms Van Wollingen said about 30 staff from TDHS and the neighboring ambulance station rolled up their sleeve to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine last week.

“We had our own AstraZeneca clinic here last week which was great, but only people over the age of 50 can get AstraZeneca,” she said.

“As I’m 39 I wasn’t eligible, so myself and 24 others under the age of 50 went to South West Healthcare in Warrnambool today to get a Pfizer shot,” she said.

“Well over 50 per cent of our staff are now vaccinated or, like me, awaiting their second follow-up shot in a few weeks.

“It is an option for our staff and I’m really pleased with the uptake so far.”

Ms Van Wollingen said the Timboon Medical Clinic was now receiving approximately 50 AstraZeneca doses each week.

“If members of the community are over 70 they can call the clinic now and book in. If they are over 50 and have a chronic illness they can also call the clinic and make an appointment,” she said.

“The roll-out is well and truly underway now, so many people will be eligible and those who aren’t are expected to be quite soon.

“If you haven’t thought about it yet, it’s time. Book in and get in line…we’re encouraging people to get vaccinated with whichever vaccine they are eligible for as soon as they can.”

To check your eligibility please visit www.covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility and call the clinic on 5558 6088 to book.