Welcome to your latest COVID-19 Vaccination Hub Bulletin.
We had a special visitor at the Sunshine Hospital COVID vaccination hub yesterday – Health Minister Martin Foley. Following the official opening of the Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department, the Minister made a personal request to see the hub, the biggest in Victoria. Our Chief Executive Russell Harrison and Western Health Board Chair Robyn Batten led him on a tour through the hub yesterday morning.
Robyn, Russell and I were pleased to introduce the Minister to our COVID vaccination project lead Lisa Smith and the hub’s Nurse Unit Manager Donald Johnson, to join the tour as the Minister took in just what has been achieved over the past few months. I think it’s safe to say that he was impressed, and he stopped to thank many of our hard-working team members.
As of last night, the Sunshine Hospital hub team had administered 5,560 vaccinations.
While attending Sunshine Hospital for a meeting earlier this month, Members of the Western Health Board also took the opportunity to visit the vaccination hub, touring with Donald Johnson, Shane Crowe and Russell Harrison.
The Board Members were very appreciative of the opportunity to visit the hub, with Robyn Batten (Board Chair), providing the following message:
“Establishing a large, complex health service delivery facility in only a few weeks is an amazing achievement! The Board is deeply impressed, by the commitment, capability and sheer hard work of the team, which involved just about all departments. Your ongoing contributions to the health and safety of the people of the West, and in this case far beyond are greatly appreciated by the Board. The fact that Western Health was chosen as one of the 3 Melbourne Hubs is a great acknowledgement that we are seen as a Health Service which is capable of going the extra mile to deliver what is needed, even when the ask seems impossible! We hope all Western Health staff receive their vaccinations as soon as possible; your safety is our priority. Our sincere thanks to everyone involved”.
To see some images from this tour click here.
As many of you are aware, there has been a lot of media coverage regarding vaccines in the past few days. As always, we remain committed to keeping you informed and providing you with access to both reputable and up-to-date information.
Shane Crowe
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery
Booking in for your vaccine
Western Health will commence the transition to a new COVID-19 Vaccination Hub booking system next week.
In preparation for this, we are encouraging all staff who need to book in for their vaccination to continue to use the current system as there are still appointments available over the next fortnight.
The hub will be closed on Monday 22.3.21 as we commence our transition across to the new booking platform.
Please click here to book your COVID vaccination at either the Sunshine Hospital or Werribee Hub.
To be prepared for your vaccination visit, please visit the Sunshine Hospital Vaccination Hub page, which includes a map and an information sheet about the vaccination process.
Can I choose which vaccine I receive?
COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed based on availability of doses. You don’t get to choose which vaccine you receive. Both AstraZeneca and Pfizer are very safe and effective vaccines. Both protect you against getting COVID-19 and against getting very sick if you do get COVID-19. Most people in Australia, including most health care workers, will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
If you are offered AstraZeneca and choose to not receive that vaccine you will not be offered Pfizer vaccine.
It is your choice to get vaccinated. It is not mandatory. However, if you choose not to be vaccinated, you will not be protected against COVID-19, including serious illness caused by COVID-19.
Getting the AstraZeneca Vaccine
The AstraZeneca vaccine protects you against getting COVID-19. With two doses spaced by 12 weeks you are 80 per cent less likely to get COVID-19 and more than 90 per cent less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than if you do not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
As with any vaccine, you may experience some side effects. Common side effects can include pain at the injection site, fever, headaches or body aches.
It is more common to experience these symptoms after the first dose of the AstraZeneca Vaccine, as opposed to the Pfizer Vaccine where side effects are reported to be more common following the second dose.
It is important to remember that regardless of which vaccine you receive, 2 doses are required to offer full protection.
For more information on the AstraZaneca vaccine click here.
An update on AstraZeneca
Many of you will be familiar with the recent precautionary measures taken in Europe to temporarily suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
A statement from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) regarding recent decisions in Europe suspending the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine was released on Tuesday, noting that current evidence to date does not indicate the need to pause the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia. You can read more here.
The Therapeutic Goods Association’s (TGA) updated advice re AstraZeneca is at the link below, and is being updated regularly. The TGA advises that as of this time there is no indication of an increased rate of blood clots happening or cause and effect with the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia. More information on this advice can be found here.
You can also click here to access a 16 March 2021 Statement attributable to Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly stating the Australian Government remains confident in the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, with no current evidence that it causes blood clots.
Click here for further local and international advice on the AstraZeneca Vaccine.
Catching up on the latest CEO webinar
For those who missed it, Western Health staff joined CEO Russell Harrison on Tuesday for an overview of news across Western Health. The latter half of the webinar was devoted to Q&A, where Russell was joined by myself and Dr. Marion Kainer to answer staff questions relating to COVID-19 vaccinations. Click here to view the Webinar.
Where to find the latest information and resources
Click here to access the Australian Government COVID-19 Vaccine site. This site contains the latest news and information about COVID-19 vaccination in Australia.
You can find all of these links plus more from reputable sources on our COVID-19 Vaccination Hub Site.
When can family and friends receive their vaccine?
Yesterday the Commonwealth announced that more than 1000 general practices, Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services, and GP-led respiratory clinics will join the vaccination rollout for Phase 1b. Services will come online from 22 March 2021 and progressively increase in number to more than 4,000 by the end of April – as part of Phase 1B of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine program.
Australians eligible for Phase 1b will be able to find a vaccination provider through the new national vaccination information and location service, at the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker.