Dear colleagues,
Please read on below for an introduction to our new Acting Project Director for the West Metro COVID-19 Vaccination Program and updates on the Novavax vaccine and more.
Introducing Mary De Gori as Acting Project Director for the West Metro COVID Vaccination Program
This week, Mary De Gori commenced as the Acting Project Director for the West Metro COVID Vaccination Program, while Lisa Smith is seconded to the role of Director of Best Care Improvement and Experience.
Mary has worked at Western Health since 2019 and was most recently the Manager of Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology. Mary brings to this role extensive experience in project management and a diverse background, including Director of Capital Planning and Development at Northern Health, Corporate Quality Manager at Northern Health, Senior Project Officer at the Victorian Quality Council and a wide range of project manager roles.
We’re very pleased to have Mary join the amazing vaccination program team and see her bring her knowledge, skills and energy to supporting this complex project and optimising the vaccination uptake in the western metropolitan region.
Mandatory third dose COVID vaccination of our staff
Thank you to all of our staff who were due to have their mandatory third dose of a COVID vaccine by 12 February and provided evidence of this.
For staff that have utilised the option of making a booking prior to 12 March, a reminder that you need to keep this booking and be vaccinated by this date to be able to continue to work.
For staff who have a temporary medical exemption, you are reminded that you need to have received your mandatory third dose of a COVID vaccine prior to your medical exemption expiring. Medical exemption expiry dates will vary, so managers are asked to monitor the expiry dates in MAP2.0 COVID Vaccination Status report for any of your team that have a medical exemption – to ensure that your staff are able to continue to work following the expiry of their medical exemption. Staff that have not received their mandatory third dose with an expired medical exemption will not be able to work.
For the 582 Western Health staff who have the deadline of 29 March 2022 that have yet to get their mandatory third dose, you are strongly encouraged to act now and get your vaccination status up to date.
Reminder third dose COVID-19 vaccines for in-patients and pregnant women receiving antenatal care
A reminder to clinical staff that Western Health has a process in place to support administering third doses to in-patients and to pregnant women receiving antenatal care through Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s. To organise a third dose through our Vaccination Outreach Team for an in-patient, please refer to this QRG on the microsite. Obstetricians and midwives can provide pregnant out-patients with a referral slip for the Immunisation Service on the ground floor of Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s.
Novavax available at our vaccination hubs from 21 February
Novavax, Australia’s first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, will be available at our Sunshine vaccination hubs from 21 February for people aged 18 and over. It is available to be used as a first and second dose to be given at least three weeks apart (no third doses at this stage). Novavax may be of particular interest to people who have had contraindications or reactions to other vaccines. Bookings will open later this week and can be made via https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au. Walks in are not available yet.
Revised hours at our vaccination hubs
Our Melton and Sunshine vaccination hubs will operate with extended hours this week. Both sites will be open from 8am-6pm Monday to Sunday.
Our Central City (Drill Hall) site will operate Monday to Friday from 10am-6pm (a change from 7 days a week) while the West Melbourne site will operate 7 days a week – Monday to Friday from 9am-6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm.
ATAGI recommends change to definition of COVID-19 vaccination status
ATAGI has recommended the definition of fully vaccinated against COVID-19 change from ‘fully vaccinated’ to ‘up to date’. The status change applies to people over 16 years now considered ‘up to date’ with their vaccination if they have had their third dose vaccine – or for those aged five to 15, considered up to date once completing a primary course (two doses) of vaccination.
The new advice from ATAGI was endorsed by the National Cabinet meeting on Thursday 10 February. Anyone that hasn’t had their third dose within six months since their last dose is now considered overdue. The change in status will not apply to international travellers arriving to Australia.
TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca vaccine as booster dose
The Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved a booster dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, for individuals aged 18 years and older. The third dose of AstraZeneca may be given if clinically indicated with reference to official guidance regarding the use of a heterologous third dose (e.g. mRNA vaccine). The decision to receive a third dose of AstraZeneca must be made in consultation with a medical professional. Moderna and Pfizer are still preferred as a third dose vaccine within Australia.
Regards,
Shane Crowe
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery