Dear colleagues,
At this point in time, more than 67 per cent of Western Health staff have received their booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. We know how important the third dose of the vaccine is in protecting us against the Omicron variant, so if you are due your booster please do not delay any further. With just under 2 weeks until the first deadline for this mandatory vaccine dose, I strongly encourage you to get your #JabDone today.
Mandatory vaccination reminder
A reminder that all Western Health employees that were eligible for a third dose on or before 12 January have until 12 February to get their third dose. Healthcare workers who become eligible for their third dose after 12 February must receive their third dose by 29 March 2022.
Staff can walk in to our Sunshine and Melton vaccination hubs to get their third dose and our Outreach Vaccination team will continue to run pop ups at our various sites including:
- Williamstown Hospital in the Education Room on Monday 31 January 2022 9.30am – 3.30pm
- Footscray Hospital in the Mavis Mitchell Room on Tuesday 1 February 2022
- Bacchus Marsh Hospital – Wednesday 2 February from 9.30m–3pm.
Alternatively, staff can access their third doses at their GP or local pharmacy.
Staff who have received their third dose elsewhere can update their Western Health records by emailing their vaccination record (available via Medicare online) to covidvaccination@wh.org.au. Please include your full name (as it appears on your pay slip) and employee number. A reminder that the vaccination certificate unfortunately cannot be used as evidence for the booster dose as it only displays 2 doses at this time.
Novavax to commence rollout from 21 February
Australians aged 18 years and over will now have access to a fourth COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid (Novavax), following ATAGI approval. The recommendation from ATAGI follows the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approving the Novavax vaccine in Australia. ATAGI has recommended the Novavax vaccine be given in two doses, at least three weeks apart.
Australia has purchased 51 million doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. The Commonwealth has advised that the Vaccine Clinic Finder will be updated to include information about Novavax from 4 February 2021. Subject to successful TGA batch testing, the Novavax vaccine will be available to be administered from the week of 21 February 2022. The West Metro COVID-19 Vaccination Program will then offer Novavax along with Pfizer and Moderna to people aged 18 years and over. Novavax may be suitable for people who have had contraindications to the other COVID-19 vaccines already available.
Dose interval for medically at-risk 5 to 11 year-olds reduced
ATAGI has advised that the dose interval for children at higher risk of COVID-19 (e.g. those with underlying medical conditions) can be shortened from 8 weeks to 3 weeks in the context of ongoing community transmission. This includes, but is not limited to, conditions outlined in Table 1 of this ATAGI statement.
Parents and guardians should discuss the optimal timing for a reduced paediatric vaccine dose interval with their child’s doctor or immunisation provider.
Second dose bookings for children aged 5 to 11 that are medically at-risk can be made via the state’s online portal or via the Coronavirus Hotline by selecting an appointment at the three-week dose interval.
Parents and guardians of children aged 5 to 11 that are not medically at-risk can still book a second dose via the online portal or via the Coronavirus Hotline by selecting an appointment at the eight-week dose interval.
Sunshine vaccination hub now accepting walk-ins for 5 to 11 year olds
Please share with your networks that the Sunshine Vaccination Hub is now accepting walk-ins for 5 to 11 year olds with bookings no longer required. Opening hours are:
- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8am–4.30pm
- Thursday 8am-8pm
- Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8am–4 .30pm.
In an incredible effort, the West Metro COVID-19 Vaccination Program vaccinated more than 10,000 children in the first two weeks of the program.
For more on how the Sunshine Vaccination Hub has been designed to accommodate this age group and what parents can do to make the experience for their child a positive one, visit the Western Health website.
Regards,
Shane Crowe
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery