Hello and welcome to your latest Covid Vaccination Hub Bulletin.
As the COVID crisis in India unfolds, our thoughts remain with those of you who are affected by this crisis. Western Health held interactive “Workforce Wellness Seminars” on May 6th, 7th and 11th which focused on managing grief and distress in the face of this tragedy. I would also like to remind staff that our EAP program operated by Caraniche is available to staff and their family members.
Following an interstate quarantine, an overseas traveller tested positive upon returning home to Victoria. A significant contact tracing effort is underway and this is a timely reminder that outbreaks can and will continue to occur. We encourage you to get vaccinated now while case numbers are low. Getting the #jabdone is the best way to protect ourselves, our colleagues and our loved ones and lessen the impact of future outbreaks.
We continue to track well with vaccination numbers, with over 68,500 doses administered across our hubs and sub-hubs. We expect this number to continue growing in the coming weeks as Western Health supports a number of vaccination sites in our region. Our Melbourne Showgrounds high-volume vaccination hub is in the final stages of preparation before opening to the public very soon.
Our Footscray Pop-Up Hub is open today for eligible staff who are under 50 years of age to receive their 1st or 2nd dose of Pfizer. Staff are reminded that 21 days must have passed between Pfizer vaccinations and 14 days between your influenza vaccination.
Please note that we are transitioning away from our Timify booking system, as a new COVID-19 vaccination booking system is expected to come online in the coming weeks. Please see further details of this below. We also encourage your family and friends who are eligible for the vaccine to seek support for bookings and advice via the Western Health Internet or alternatively contact the Victorian Coronavirus hotline. As always, staff and volunteers are welcome to book or walk in for an appointment.
With the media attention that the AstraZeneca vaccine has received it is natural if you, your colleagues or your loved ones have concerns or questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. We are listening and are here to provide support and advice. We encourage anyone to attend the Hub to talk to our experienced nursing and medical staff who can assist you with your decision making.
Finally, as this week marks International Nurses Day and the International Day of the Midwife, I wish to acknowledge the significant contribution the nurses and midwives of Western Health have made to the roll-out of our COVID-19 Vaccination hubs.
Thanks to all of you as we move closer towards our goal of getting the #jabdone.
Regards,
Shane Crowe
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery
Vaccination Booking System Change
All Western Health Vaccination booking services transitioned to the Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccination booking system on Tuesday 11 May 2021. Timify will no longer be used for any new bookings at Western Health sites for vaccinations. All current bookings on Timify remain valid.
A self-service online booking system for the COVID-19 Vaccination booking system is expected to be released over the coming weeks. In the meantime to make a COVID-19 vaccination booking at any of our vaccination sites, please phone: Department of Health Victorian Vaccine Coordination Centre on 1800 675 398. Select option 1, 1, and 1. Please note, walk-ins are welcome at the Sunshine Hospital Hub within the following hours:
- Saturday to Wednesday 8:30am to 3:30pm
- Thursday & Friday 8:30am to 7:00pm
Flu Vaccination
The Flu Vax 2021 campaign launched on Tuesday 27th April, offering all Western Health staff the 2021 influenza vaccination.
The influenza vaccination is vital to ensuring we protect our staff, patients, families and our community against influenza. Click here for more information on the importance of the influenza campaign.
A range of dates have been scheduled during May for drop-in clinics at Sunshine, Footscray and Williamstown sites.
Click here to view dates at your site.
Timing with COVID-19 Vaccine
Vaccination experts recommend 2 weeks between Covid-19 vaccination and influenza vaccination. For more information on the latest advice click here.
Medicare card and Employee number
For the first time, all flu vaccinations are recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Staff are requested to have their Medicare card details and employee number with them when presenting for vaccination. To save time, staff can download and complete the consent form before arriving at the Drop in Clinic.
Melbourne Showgrounds Hub Opening Soon!
Melbourne Showgrounds COVID-19 Vaccination hub will be opening soon to staff and the public. Nurse Unit Manager Allison Lamb is pictured ready to help more member of our community get the #jabdone
Top 3 Questions
In this week’s Commonwealth Department of Health video, Dr Lucas De Toca answers the following questions:
- If I am eligible to get my COVID-19 vaccine, can I choose which type I get?
- If I don’t have a smartphone, how do I check-in to venues, pubs and clubs?
- Why do the reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines differ?