08 Jun TDHS thrilled with maximum uptake at vaccine clinic

Photo caption: TDHS Community Health Nurse Amanda Nash delivering an AstraZeneca vaccine to Cobden’s Garry Ross as part of Saturday’s Vaccination Clinic.

More than 200 residents in the southern part of Corangamite Shire rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday, as part of two separate Timboon clinics.

Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) director of community health Tanya Wines said she was thrilled that all available AstraZeneca vaccines were rolled out to community members aged 50 and above at Saturday’s Vaccine Clinic.

“We immunised 97 individuals on site and another 105 at the Timboon Clinic. To have over 200 community members receive their vaccination in one day was a wonderful result,” she said.

“The TDHS clinic was booked out very quickly and we are very grateful to the community for the uptake. This meant that we couldn’t accommodate for walk-ins on the day.

“For those community members 50 years and older, that still require a COVID-19 vaccination, please contact the Timboon Clinic on 03 5558 6088, as the clinic continues to receive allocated AstraZeneca doses on a fortnightly basis.”

TDHS community engagement officer Sabine McKenzie said there was a great community spirit on the day.

“There was a real sense that people were doing their part and getting vaccinated to help protect themselves and each other,” she said.

“As the TDHS Vaccine Clinic was in the community health building with a separate entrance, I was stationed in the carpark greeting and directing people and, on their way out, many wound down their window to say thank you. It’s a team effort though.

“We can put the clinic on, but if no one shows up there’s no point. We are very grateful to our wonderful community who fully booked the available vaccines and we thank everyone who rolled up their sleeve to work together for a healthy community.”

Timboon Clinic practice manager Katherine Gorringe said with AstraZeneca doses arriving fortnightly, anyone over the age of 50 who had not yet been vaccinated was encouraged to call the clinic on 5558 6088 to make a booking.

“Our Saturday Vaccination Clinic went extremely well.  It was great that we could offer the service on a Saturday for our community.  We hope to be able to offer another Saturday Vaccination Clinic in the near future dependent on vaccine availability,” she said.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 40-49 YEAR OLDS

People aged 40-49 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is recommended for people aged 49 and under and currently this vaccine is only available through state-run vaccination hubs.

If you are aged 40-49 it is recommended that you;

• Use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find out when and where you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/
• If, based on the information given, you are eligible to receive a vaccination, please check https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres for more information about current vaccine eligibility in Victoria and to find a vaccination centre near you. The vaccination centres nearest to you will display in a list on the map. Tap or click on the vaccination centre icons for more details about each centre and book an appointment at a vaccination centre by calling 1800 675 398. Please note that opening and walk in times are subject to change so check before going to one of the centres.