Dear colleagues,
A quick update from me this morning regarding booster shots, and closures to some of our vaccination hubs and testing sites due to the wild weather overnight. Take care today.
Boosters available for Western Health staff from today
Great news! Following the release of guidance from the Australian Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (ATAGI) in the past 24 hours, Western Health is making COVID-19 booster doses available to our staff from today.
Anyone aged 18 years or over is eligible for a booster dose if they have had their second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine more than six months ago (29 April 2021).
Administration of a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose six months or more after the second dose has been demonstrated to strengthen the immune response and is anticipated to increase protection.
The Pfizer vaccine is being offered as a single booster dose, irrespective of the COVID-19 vaccine that was initially received. The AstraZeneca vaccine can also be used as a booster dose for anyone that has had a significant adverse reaction after a previous Pfizer or Moderna dose.
Western Health staff process
For Western Health staff, we are commencing walk-in access from today at any Western Health vaccination site. No bookings are needed.
Walk-ins at all sites are welcome between 8.30am-4.30pm. We have extended hours at the Sunshine Vaccination Hub this evening until 8pm.
A pop-up site has been established at Footscray Hospital in the Mavis Mitchell Room today for staff located on that site, with walk-ins welcome between 9am-4pm. The team will plan to return to Footscray next week as well.
The Vaccination Outreach team are planning pop-up vaccination sites at Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Williamstown and Sunbury for next week.
Staff will need to be able to show evidence of the date of second vaccination dose (via either MyGov or a Medicare Vaccination Record) if it was administered at a general practitioner or pharmacy. We will have a record of dose dates for any vaccine administered in a state-run vaccination centre.
It is anticipated that there will be high demand for the booster dose, so there may be some waiting time. I request your patience, and please be kind and courteous if there are queues. We are accepting walk-ins into the future so there will be lots of opportunity to get the booster dose.
Bookings
The Department of Health is implementing a call centre to be able to book in to receive a booster dose at any state-run vaccination centre. It is anticipated that this may be operational over the coming days.
Unfortunately the online booking portal cannot be used at this time to book a booster dose.
Further details on an internal Western Health booking process will be circulated once finalised to assist with priority appointments.
Residential aged care
The Vaccination Outreach team is planning to attend Grant Lodge next week to be able to offer the booster dose to our residents and staff at the facility.
Western Health will work with our partner health services to ensure that public sector residential aged care facility staff and residents are offered the booster dose over the coming weeks.
The Commonwealth is supporting the vaccination of staff and residents at private residential aged care facilities.
General public
Anyone who is aged 18 years or over is eligible for a booster dose if they have had their second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine more than six months ago.
These people will be able to make a booking to receive their booster once the Department of Health call centre has been established.
Storm damage impacting some vaccination hubs and testing sites
Due to storm damage overnight, our vaccination hubs at Melbourne Showgrounds, Melton drive-through and Wyndham Eagle Stadium drive through will be closed today. The sit-down services at Melton and Wyndham are open as are our vaccination hubs at Sunshine and Werribee Hospitals. The Melton testing clinic is also closed today and the Melbourne Showgrounds testing clinic will be operating at reduced capacity.
Regards,
Shane Crowe
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery