Dear colleagues,
COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in Victoria; however, the good news is that Australia has now reached the 80 per cent first dose milestone, with Victoria at 83.6 per cent. Today Western Health vaccination sites reached 900,000 doses – we are getting there bit by bit. Thank you to the 95 per cent of our staff who have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and a huge thank you to our vaccination staff for their efforts and to all staff impacted by the increased demand on our health systems.
We’re also seeing numbers that demonstrate the protection COVID-19 vaccines provide, with the state’s COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar saying yesterday that of Victoria’s 25,000 coronavirus cases since the middle of July this year, 84 per cent have not been vaccinated. He said 11 per cent of cases had one dose of COVID-vaccine while only 5 per cent were fully vaccinated. He went on to say that although the vaccine doesn’t make you immune from catching COVID-19, it does hugely reduce the risk of catching it, or transmitting it to another person, or being hospitalised.
Mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers
We had strong attendance and lively discussion at Russell’s Tuesday webinar, which was on the topic of mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers. Deb Hill and I gave a presentation on what the Public Health Order means our staff, volunteers and contractors, and for Western Health as an employer; the relevant dates – 15 October for first dose and fully vaccinated by 15 December; and a reminder that staff can simply walk in to be vaccinated at any of our vaccination sites. Joined by Dr Marion Kainer, we then took questions from staff. Several of these questions are now included in a FAQs on our coronavirus microsite. We will continue to add to the FAQs as questions arise.
More than 2,000 people vaccinated at Western Bulldogs pop up at VU Whitten Oval
Last Saturday and Sunday, Western Health helped deliver 2,081 vaccinations at the Western Bulldogs pop up at VU Whitten Oval, with local residents, Western Bulldogs supporters, Victoria University students and multicultural groups rolling up their sleeves to get their first jab done. The pop-up clinic will reactivate on 23-24 October to administer second doses to community members. The pop-up clinic was 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.
Pfizer dose intervals revised
As of Monday 4 October, the minimum time between Pfizer doses has reduced to three weeks in order to get more Victorians protected with two doses sooner. This means that in state-run hubs, individuals no longer need to wait six weeks between their first and second doses – subject to appointment availability.
Pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines webinar recording
Western Health hosted an online panel discussion and audience Q&A on 30 September, aimed at pregnant women receiving antenatal care through our hospitals. Infectious diseases physician Dr Marion Kainer, Dr Nisha Khot and Clinical Midwife Consultant Rebecca Giarrusso joined host midwife Kylie Roper from our vaccination team to discuss all things pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccination. The recording is now up on our COVID-19 vaccination microsite.
Walk-in vaccinations available for general public
Anyone can now walk in to any of Western Health’s Vaccination Hubs to receive either their first or second dose of a COVID-19 Vaccine. No bookings are necessary for either Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines at any of our sites. Additionally, until 17 October, we’re providing walk-in vaccinations for Moderna at our Sunshine and Melton vaccination hubs.
Of course, you can still book via the online booking portal or the call centre 1800 675 398 to minimise the risk of any waiting times.
From 11 October, we’re open for extended hours at the following vaccination hubs:
- Sunshine: open until 7.45pm Thursday and Friday
- Melbourne Showgrounds: open until 6pm Wednesday and Thursday
- Melton: open until 5.45pm Wednesday and Thursday
- Wyndham Eagle Stadium: open until 7.45pm Wednesday and Thursday.
Regards,
Shane Crowe
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery