Dear colleagues,
Some extra freedoms today as the state reaches the 80 per cent first dose milestone. The travel limit for Melbournians has extend to 15 kilometres, non-contact outdoor sports like golf and tennis are now allowed for fully vaccinated people, and parents can remove their masks at playgrounds to have a coffee while the kids play.
Victoria’s daily COVID-19 numbers are still climbing but there’s hope that cases will start to level out, as they did in NSW, when the 50 per cent double dose milestone is reached. Reports today in the news suggest that the Victorian Government – subject to vaccine supply – may look at shortening the interval between first and second doses of Pfizer and Moderna to get more people double vaccinated over the coming weeks.
Western Bulldogs pop up at VU Whitten Oval
This Saturday and Sunday (2-3 October, 8am-6.30pm) we’re helping deliver vaccinations at the Western Bulldogs pop-up at VU Whitten Oval (417 Barkly Street, West Footscray). Bookings can be made online at portal.cvms.vic.gov.au or the 1800 675 398 hotline. This pop-up clinic is a partnership between Western Health, Altona North GP Respiratory Clinic – Commonwealth Vaccination Centre, Cirqit Health, Western Bulldogs, Victoria University, Hobsons Bay City Council, Maribyrnong City Council and the Victorian Department of Health.
Footscray Hospital pop-up jabs for staff
Our vaccination Outreach Team is running a pop-up clinic for staff at Footscray Hospital on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 October from 8.30am-3.30am in the Mavis Mitchell Room. Simply walk in and show your ID badge. Limited doses are available so it is ‘first in, first served’. We’ll be administered the Pfizer vaccine and the interval between doses is six weeks, except for those working in high-risk COVID areas where a three -week interval will apply.
A reminder that Western Health staff can do ‘walk-in’ appointments at all of our vaccination hubs at any time. Staff will be prioritised but wait times may still apply.
Mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers
The Chief Health Officer Directions for mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers have not yet been released; however, the Victorian Government has made it very clear that this is imminent. Based on the available information all healthcare workers will be required to have had their first dose of a COVID vaccine prior to 15 October 2021, or have evidence of a booking prior to 1 November 2021. We understand that the only exemptions will be medical exemptions. We also understand that this will apply to all staff that work in hospitals, irrespective of role. So for staff that have been delaying their vaccination for whatever reason, the time to get vaccinated is now. I urge you to not leave this until the last moment.
Once the Directions are released this will be legal requirement, and we understand that there will be substantial fines for employers that are in breach.
We will continue to share information widely as it becomes available.
Pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines webinar this Thursday 30 September at 6pm
We’re hosting a webinar in which panellists including Dr Marion Kainer and Dr Nisha Khot will share information about pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines with an audience comprising pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Western Health. To register, visit https://bit.ly/2XNEPZC
Walk-in appointments for general public at our Melton vaccination hub this week
We’re doing walk-in appointments from 11am-2pm each week day and 9am-3pm on Saturday and Sunday at our Melton vaccination hub (149 Barries Rd, Melton West). No bookings required for these times. Please share this information with friends and networks who live in Melton and surrounding suburbs.
Regards,
Shane Crowe
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery