COVID-19 update – 24 March 2021

24 March 2021

COVID-19 vaccine roll-out

This week marks the start of the Phase 1b vaccine roll-out with eligible general practices now administering the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine. In our region 46 general practices and 4 GP respiratory clinics have commenced as part of week one of the roll-out.

To find out when you are eligible to obtain the vaccine use the Vaccine Eligibility Checker. If you are part of Phase 1b you will be able to see a list of nearby practices offering the vaccine and either book online or call the practice to make a booking. Given the relatively small number of practices offering vaccinations at this point, the limited supply of vaccine and the very low number of COVID-19 cases, we are encouraging practices to provide reassurance that patients will get the vaccine but some may experience a wait.

Priority groups under Phase 1b include health care workers, those aged over 70, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 55, adults with an underlying medical condition or adults with a disability.

Vaccine supply

The Therapeutic Goods Association has approved CSL’s manufacturing of this vaccine and these locally produced doses will be available this week, marking a major milestone to improving vaccine supply in Australia.

RACFs and the COVID-19 vaccine

23 Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) in the central and eastern Sydney region have received the vaccine and the Commonwealth are now bringing in additional vaccinators to ramp up the roll-out in RACFs.

COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy

COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy is not routinely recommended but not contraindicated. Each woman should make a decision based on her health and exposure risks.

Women who are planning pregnancy or who are breastfeeding can receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

Clinical Guidance on use of COVID-19 vaccination in Australia
RANZCOG position statement

Questions about the COVID-19 vaccine

The Department of Health has developed an ‘Is it true’ section of the website to provide evidence-based answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. This is a trusted source of information which will be updated regularly. This aim of this resource is to reduce vaccine hesitancy and to reduce the risk of misinformation spreading.

NSW COVID-19 update

A full list of locations associated with the recent case of COVID-19 in NSW is available on the NSW Health website. All those who attended Pancake on the Rocks in Beverly Hills on the morning of Saturday, 13 March have been advised to immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result. Those who attended the other venues associated with the case have been advised to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they occur, and to self-isolate.

Close contacts

Monitor for symptoms

COVID-19 near me 

If you want to check locations visited by COVID-19 cases near you the following website offers a helpful interactive map: https://covid19nearme.com.au/state/nsw