This bulletin is intended to be read by staff of Western Health but is also for the information of staff from other health services (and the airport) within the COVID Vaccination Hub managed by Western Health.
Increased community transmission numbers and the recent ‘circuit breaker’ lock down across Melbourne have served to be stark reminders that COVID-19 remains a very real and active threat.
The good news is our COVID vaccination program is nearly here!
As one of three Melbourne metropolitan health services to manage COVID vaccination hubs, Western Health is working with other health services, private hospitals and other organisations including Melbourne Airport, across the western region of Melbourne to ensure the vaccine is offered to high-risk, priority staff as soon as possible.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA), and first doses will be administered to high risk international airport workers at a new vaccination sub-hub set up in the international departure lounge area at Melbourne Airport. Work has occurred at pace this week to ensure this site is ready to be operational as a COVID-19 Vaccination sub-hub on 22 February.
Image: Earlier this week at the airport
You can also learn a little more by listening to this interview by Western Health’s Kylie Roper, who will be managing the vaccination sub hub at Melbourne Airport. (Click on the image below).
Additional ‘sub-hubs’ are being established, with one at Parkville to commence on 1 March to service the priority staff from the health services in that precinct.
The large 60 cubicle semi-permanent structure being constructed in the ground floor of the multi-deck carpark at the Sunshine Hospital is also rapidly progressing. This will be the main Vaccination Hub for the west of Melbourne, and will initially provide for the vaccination of 1a priority staff from Western Health and other health services in our region. Pending vaccine availability, it is expected to be operational by 8 March.
Image: The Sunshine Hospital vaccination hub taking shape.
An additional sub-hub will be set up at Werribee during March, also pending vaccine availability.
A huge amount of work has been completed and is continuing to prepare for our vaccination sites to become operational. Credit goes to our wonderful staff across the many areas involved in this massive effort.
Well worth a regular visit is this COVID Vaccination Hub site developed within the broader Western Health COVID-19 Information Site. It is designed to provide information for all staff supported by the Vaccination Hub managed by Western Health, with links to trusted sources on a wide range of related topics.
Regards
Shane Crowe
Executive Director, Nursing & Midwifery
Timelines and Process for Vaccination
Over the coming weeks, every health worker will receive the opportunity to receive a vaccine as part of Phase 1a and 1b of the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy.
Vaccinations will be voluntary and the Vaccination Hub will aim to ensure that factual information is available to staff to allow them to make an informed decision.
Vaccination will be by appointment only, and staff will receive an invitation to make a vaccination booking via their email address. This will take them to a secure online system that allows staff to schedule their vaccination appointments for both doses, complete pre-vaccination screening questions and complete their consent.
An Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) Clinic to support the COVID-19 Vaccination Hub is being established by Western Health to support people who have previously had issues with vaccination, have medical conditions making vaccination more risky, or those who have significant vaccination hesitancy.
Vaccination Hub Update
New to the site is a comprehensive but easy to read slide deck with key, up-to-date information and messages about a range of Vaccination Hub topics including vaccine delivery, sites, vaccination phases and the vaccination process for our region.
Click on the image below to the access the update. It is well worth the read.
COVID-19 Vaccination Hub Overview 18.02.2021
Vaccination Hub Quick Reference Guides
Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) are a feature of the new COVID Vaccination Hub microsite section.
Click here to view the QRGs developed so far.
Frequently Asked Questions
A comprehensive listing of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been developed by Western Health for the Vaccination Hub. These FAQs are a summary of common questions and answers regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine and the COVID-19 Vaccination Hub being operated by Western Health. FAQs are based on the most up to date information available, and answers may be updated as further information is available.
Thank you to Western Health staff who contributed questions to the recently held Webinar on the Vaccination Hub. These have helped inform the development of the FAQs on the site.
A set of FAQs from the Victorian Department of Health have just been uploaded to the site today Friday 19 February so please also review these.
Key Messages
- As a frontline workforce, those staff most at risk have been prioritised to start receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.
- The vaccine begins rolling out to the most at-risk staff groups first – look out for your invitation by email
- The vaccine is safe, effective and free
- By being involved in the vaccination program, you are helping to protect yourself, your family and your colleagues from serious COVID-19 health implications