COVID-19 vaccines have a lot of information and confusion around them, given the vaccines are now open to all, but there are limitations on vaccines such as age restrictions for AstraZeneca and a lack of the Pfizer vaccine, which is recommended for people under 60.
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AstraZeneca is available to anyone over the age of 18, but it must be administered by a GP if you are between the age of 18-59.
For the AstraZeneca vaccine, it is recommended that you wait 8 - 12 weeks between the first and second dose.
Pfizer is only available for people in groups 1A and 1B, check eligibility at covid vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility
It is recommended that there is at least a two week period between the flu vaccination shot and the COVID-19 vaccination shot.
COVID-19 vaccinations are free and do not require a prescription.
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WHCG Vaccine clinic
The Wimmera Health Care Group vaccine clinic offers AstraZeneca and Pfizer each week.
Genevieve Lilley, Western Sub-Hub Project Officer for COVID-19 Vaccination, said the clinic is administrating Pfizer for those who have an appointment before bookings were closed due to a state shortage for that dose,
"We're hoping that we will soon be able to reopen. We have had some extra vaccines allocated to us for people in high priority groups - people working in health and disability, as well as people with disabilities, so we are taking bookings for those this week," she said.
"Anyone working in health will need to bring their ID when they come in for their vaccine. We are allowed to give Pfizer to health workers of any age due to the current outbreak."
As a nurse-run clinic, they are not able to vaccinate anyone under 60 with AstraZeneca.
"We do have an AstraZeneca clinic on Tuesdays for anyone 60 and over," Ms Lilley said.
"We've had the call centre booking in younger people into our AstraZeneca clinic and we do apologise to those people who've turned up and not been able to get a vaccine. Anyone under 60 who would like to get the AstraZeneca vaccine should book in to one of the GP clinics."
Booking can be made by contacting 5362 3423.
Tristar Medical Group
At Tristar in Horsham, they have the AstraZeneca vaccination available.
Tristar Medical Group executive manager Megan Preusker said even if you are not a regular patient with Tristar, they welcome vaccination bookings from anyone.
"Eligible people are able to make an appointment at the clinics even if they are not regular patients of the clinic," she said.
"If patients are not eligible but are considering AstraZeneca they are also welcome to make appointments to discuss considerations with a GP."
Ms Preusker said vaccination bookings had been good strong mid-March earlier this year.
"We have currently had a strong and continuous response for the AstraZeneca vaccine since we started vaccinating in mid March 2021," she said.
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West Wimmera Health
West Wimmera Health chief executive Ritchie Dodds recommended people from the community seek their vaccination from Nhill Medical Clinic (Rural Doctors) or Wimmera Health Care Group.
"Community members can make an appointment with their local GP to discuss what vaccination options are available to them. It's understood that there a plans also for pharmacies to offer vaccinations at some point also," Mr Dodds said.
AstraZeneca is currently available, with Pfizer becoming offered as supply increases.
Mr Dodds said the community had responded well to accessing vaccination for COVID-19.
"It's been good in recent weeks as vaccine supply has increased and people have also been reminded of the importance getting vaccinated by seeing how 'the removalists' could have spread it across NSW, Victoria and South Australia. And we continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible by booking in with their GP to discuss what options are available to them," he said.
Lister House Medical Centre
Lister House Medical Centre is running a state-run vaccination hub out of the Up-Temp cafe and function room in Horsham.
They have AstraZeneca and Pfizer, but currently do no have a waitlist for Pfizer.
Appointments can be made online via the HotDoc website.
Bookings are essential as places are limited.
"There is limited spaces and bookings keep opening up to review as needed," a Lister House spokesperson said.
"Community response is overwhelming. We wish we had more vaccines to give out."
There is a dedicated phone number for the vaccine clinic; if you cannot make an appointment online, contact 0458 969 778
East Wimmera Health Service
East Wimmera Health Service have been providing COVID-19 Vaccinations through the EWHS COVID-19 Vaccination Program since March 2021.
There are several upcoming vaccination clinic days being run by the East Wimmera Health Service.
792 Pfizer vaccines have been administered and 672 AstraZeneca have been administered.
There will be two sessions at the St Arnaud Hospital will be on Thursday, July 29 and Friday, August 13.
To book, contact 5477 2129.
Two sessions will be held at the Charlton Hospital. One on Thursday, August 19 and the other on Thursday, August 26.
To book, contact 5477 6800.
The Wimmera Mail-Times will update this information as it comes in.
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