COVID-19 update – 29 September 2021

29 September 2021

COVID-19 cases in the region

Over the past two weeks to 26 September 2021 there have been 3483 locally acquired cases in the CESPHN region, a 17% decrease over the previous period. The largest concentrations are in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs) Canterbury-Bankstown (779), Sydney (710), Randwick (464), Bayside (410) Georges River (324), Sutherland (228) Inner West (195), and Strathfield (114).

Click here for all the latest information relating to the NSW outbreak including case locations and alerts.

COVID-19 testing locations

See here for information on the latest testing locations. 

Please remember to refer your patients to a GP respiratory clinic if they need a respiratory assessment. You can find contact details here.

Vaccination update and locations

Within the region 82% of the population aged 15 and over have received one vaccine dose and 61% are fully vaccinated (an 8% increase from last week). 18% of the population remain unvaccinated. The number of vaccinations administered last week increased by 11% from the previous week. You can view vaccination uptake by postcode and local government area here.

You can find vaccination options via the Vaccine Eligibility Checker.

SESLHD has vaccination clinics open this week. Priority for the Pfizer vaccine will be given to people under 60 years who:

• Live in social housing
• Are experiencing homelessness
• Are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Have disability or significant health problems
• Are not eligible for Medicare e.g. international students

AstraZeneca vaccine is available for anyone 18 years and over. 

• Rockdale Town Hall 
  448 Princes Highway, Rockdale 
  Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October 
  10.00 am – 4.00 pm
• St Mary’s and St Joseph’s Church 
  246 Malabar Road, South Coogee 
  Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October 
  9.30 am – 3.00 pm
• Northcott Community Centre 
  163 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills 
  9.30 am – 3.00 pm, every Monday
• The Hub @ Lexo 
  Lexington Place, Maroubra 
  9.30 am – 3.00 pm, every Friday
• Stapleton Avenue Community Centre 
  Belmont Street, Sutherland 
  Tuesday 5 October – Friday 8 October 
  10.00 am – 4.00 pm
• Kooloora Community Centre 
  167 Bilga Crescent, Malabar 
  Tuesday 5 October – Friday 8 October 
  9.30 am – 3.00 pm

Bookings are also available for people from vulnerable groups at two new Aspen Medical vaccination clinics:

• Flourish Australia Centre 
  43 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills 
  Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 3.30pm 
  Book here
• Alf Kay Vaccination Clinic 
  2 Florence Avenue, Eastlakes 
  Monday to Friday, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm 
  Book here

A new vaccination clinic has opened at Centennial Park

• Centennial Park Vaccination Clinic 
  22 – 32 King Street Randwick (UNSW Building R14),  
  the clinic is open from 8:00am – 4:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Bookings required.
• Ultimo Community Centre 
  40 William Henry Street, Ultimo 
  16-59 year olds 
  10 .00 am to 4.00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (closed next Monday) 
  Book here

CESPHN Vax at Home program

We are aware that some people in our community may not be able to access a GP or vaccination hub to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.  As a result CESPHN in partnership had developed the Vax at Home program.

The CESPHN Vax at Home Program is ONLY for those people who are housebound and not able to leave their house to receive a COViD-19 vaccination (their carers will also be able to be vaccinated). The Program is ONLY being offered across Sydney Local Health District and South Eastern Local Health District.   

• Patient self-referrals will NOT be accepted. Patients should speak with their GP for referral to this program if appropriate. 
• Referrals can be accepted from General Practitioners and Disability Provider Organisations only.
• Referrals for people who live in the Sydney Local Health District can be emailed to SLHD-AHCCR-InreachClinic@health.nsw.gov.au
• Referrals for people who live in the South East Sydney Local Health District can be emailed to vaxinhomesesydney@gmail.com

Referrals should include:

• Name of patient
• Date of Birth
• Patients residential address and contact details
• Name of usual GP.
• Medicare details
• Contact details of any carers.

This service is now operational and accepting referrals (please note there might be some delays as we respond to demand).

How to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination

Services Australia has a range of resource available to support employees and the community get proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations. There are also specific resources for Indigenous and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. Visit the Services Australia website for further information and to view the resources available. Order free printed resources by either emailing  publications.production@servicesaustralia.gov.au or calling 1800 067 307.

• 15210 – Get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination DL flyer
• 15211 – Get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination A3 poster

Do you require additional AstraZeneca doses?

If your practice requires additional AstraZeneca doses, please email coronavirus@cesphn.com.au. Some practices have an oversupply and we will ensure these additional doses reach those practices that need it.

Additional PPE available

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) packages including surgical and N95/P2 masks, face shields, gloves, gowns and goggles and face shields will be made available forcommunity pharmacies and those GPs who continue to see their patients within their practices. PPE guidelines can be found here.CESPHN will continue to distribute these supplies.To order PPE for your practice or pharmacyclick here.

Free infection control advice

CESPHN is pleased to offer general practices and community pharmacies the opportunity to have a specialised one-on-one consultation session with an experienced primary care infection control educator. This consult will enable your practice/pharmacy to:

• Send questions prior to the consultation session about your practice
• Ask questions on infection control that relates to your practice.

Sessions will be via ‘Zoom’ and will be up to 50 minutes in duration and can be recorded for later use. The aim of these sessions is to support practices and community pharmacies to ensure they have the strongest infection procedures in place and provide tips for improvement where needed. If you would like more information or would like to book a consultation, please email your interest to coronavirus@cesphn.com.au and in the subject line write: “Yes I would like infection control advice”

Call for GPs, pharmacists,nurses and other health professionals to assist in vaccination

We are maintaining a register of GPs, pharmacists, nurses and other allied health professionals who are available to work shifts in COVID vaccination clinics. Please complete this form if you are interested. Thank you to all those of you have already registered.

Closure of AIR authentication files 

Authentication file access to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) will close on 30 September 2021 for all providers. A Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account is required to access the AIR via the Health Professionals Online Services (HPOS) portal.  To set up AIR access:

Health professionals with a Medicare provider number

• Register for an individual PRODA Account, and
• Set up your access to HPOS for AIR
• Nominate others to perform tasks on your behalf using HPOS Delegations (optional)

Medical practices with an AIR provider number

• Staff should register for an individual PRODA Account
• An Associate or Authorised Contact listed on the Australian Business Register should register the organisation in PRODA and link the organisation to HPOS for AIR, and
• Add staff to the organisation’s PRODA account

For assistance call the AIR Internet Helpdesk on 1300 650 039 Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm local time.

New and updated resources

• COVID-19 vaccination – Eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine (updated 27 Sept): This fact sheet outlines who is currently eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
• COVID-19 vaccination – COVID Vaccination Allocations Horizons (updated 24 Sept): This document outlining the National Vaccination Allocation Horizons by state and territory has been updated to reflect a more accurate picture of Australia’s forecasted allocation of vaccine to the end of 2021. 
• COVID-19 vaccination – Information to assist healthcare workers talk about COVID-19 vaccines (updated 24 Sept): These  documents provide some talking points on key questions and concerns about COVID-19 vaccines, as well as links to where you can find more information.
• COVID-19 vaccination – Common questions (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) (updated 24 Sept): This document contains common questions and answers about the COVID-19 vaccines.
• COVID-19 vaccination – Consent form for COVID-19 vaccination (updated 24 Sept)
• Updates: COVID-19 vaccination – Provider resources and Advice for COVID-19 vaccine providers