Covid Vaccines.

​

4/06/2021- advice for the fortnight 4/6 til 20/6.

The pandemic is raging in countries like India. There is recent exposure in NSW but as yet no recent transmission, which is reassuring. However the variant that has emerged in India is more infectious than ever, so it is to be expected that there will be intermittent outbreaks in Australia escaping from quarantine for months to come. At present there is an outbreak in Victoria that is due to quarantine failure. Keep up your social distancing and infection control behaviours, even once vaccinated.

​

Remember that being vaccinated is Australia's only pathway back to open borders and travel, and that if a widespread outbreak occurs we will not have the resources to vaccinate everyone immediately, so getting yours now is advised. 

​

You can ring and we will put you on the list, and in time allocate an appointment.  We are receiving 100 vaccinations a week, and we have about 2500 active patients on the books, so clearly it will take months to work through everyone. Be patient.

​

Please check on this government website before ringing to confirm you are eligible. Anyone over 50 is eligible.

​

***Anybody with symptoms, no matter how mild, needs testing even if they have not been to a hotspot, because no-one knows where the next hotspot will be. Don't be that person who doesn't get tested and causes a lockdown. ****

​

​

The vaccination we have been allocated is the Astrazeneca vaccine. Here is the latest information about it.  Two doses are required 12 weeks apart.  It is clear that this vaccine can cause a serious complication of blood clots and bleeding effecting the brain. The risk of this is low - about the same as the risk of dying in a car accident in the next three months. It is worse for younger people, and so the government has recommended that we not use this vaccine in people under 50, unless there is particularly high risk of getting covid (eg if you must go overseas to an outbreak area for work.)

​

Note that the blood clotting caused by the AZ vaccine is different in nature to the normal clots people experience like DVTs, strokes and heart attacks. Having a previous clot, or being on blood thinners is no problem and people in this situation are at no higher risk.

​

There are mass vaccination clinics being developed - one is planned for Newcastle, but is not yet operational. This is where younger people will be able to get the pfizer vaccine. 

 

 

 

...................................................................................................

The annual influenza vaccination is also now available.

There is a three week gap needed between flu and covid vaccinatrions. You can get the influenza vaccine for free if you are over 65, or you are between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, or you are aboriginal or TS Islander, are pregnant, or you have a serious long term health condition like diabetes.

​

..................................................................................................​

Do not enter the surgery if you have any symptoms like cough/runny nose/sore throat/fever - we will instruct you on what to do over the phone.

​

Masks are no longer a requirement of NSW public health. Nevertheless, we would recommend continuing to use one to minimise risk.

​

PHONE or VIDEO consultations are available for most matters and are a convenient and safe method of consultation during this time.

 

There is no need to put off your health needs because of the pandemic - we can do almost everything over the phone, and we are keeping the surgery as safe as possible if you do need to attend in person.

​

Obviously we all would prefer face to face consultations, but safety needs to be the first priority. 

​

Covid swabs will be performed if necessary for regular patients outside in the back courtyard or in your car.

​

For NSW government information about covid 19 click here.

For federal government information click here.

The national covid hotline is 1800 020 080.

​

Remember, if you are unwell with any of these symptoms:

​

Cough/cold/runny nose/sore throat/fever/ new skin rash/ loss of sense of smell then it is your duty to stay home from work/school/church or any public place until you have been tested and recovered (regardless of the test result). If you are unsure please ring us and we will give you instructions. 

​

Remember that most people get Covid from their friends and family when they least expect it.

​

​

​

​

 

​
 

​