COVID – 19 update – Wednesday, 27 October, 2021

COVID-19 cases in the region

Over the past two weeks to 24 October, 2021 there have been 658 locally acquired cases in the CESPHN region, a 35% decrease over the previous period. The largest concentrations are in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs) Canterbury-Bankstown (199), Sydney (96) and Bayside (84).

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

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

Within the region 86% of the population aged 15 and over have received one vaccine dose and 81% are fully vaccinated (a 2% increase from last week). 14% of the population remain unvaccinated. The number of vaccinations administered last week decreased by 47% from the previous week. You can view vaccination uptake by postcode and local government area here.

General practices that need additional Pfizer or Astra Zeneca vaccine should contact our practice support team via coronavirus@cesphn.com.au and we can facilitate transfers. 

We are strongly encouraging general practices and pharmacists to review their patients and identify those who are unvaccinated and arrange COVID-19 vaccination for them.

TGA approves Pfizer vaccine for boosters

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine as a booster vaccine for individuals aged 18 years and above. ATAGI is considering the regulatory approval and will provide their recommendations on the use of boosters in coming days.

Community vaccination locations

 You can find vaccination options via the Vaccine Eligibility Checker. Locations of LHD community vaccination clinics, no booking and no Medicare needed are below:

• St Mary & St Joseph Church Hall
  246 Malabar Road, South Coogee
  9.30 am – 3.00 pm, Monday 25 October – Friday 29 OctoberRockdale Town Hall
  Bryant Street entrance, 448 Princes Highway
  10.00 am – 4.00 pm, Monday 25 October – Friday 29 OctoberNorthcott Community Centre
  163 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills
  9.30 am – 3.00 pm, every MondayThe Hub @ Lexo
  Lexington Place, Maroubra
  9.30 am – 3.00 pm, every FridayChifley Vaccination clinic
  Namatjira Place, Chifley
  9.15am – 12.00 pm, every ThursdayKoori Vaccination Clinic
  Redfern Post Office
  119 Redfern Street, Redfern
  10.00am – 4.00pm, Tuesday to Saturday
  Make a bookingOznam Learning Centre
  99 Forbes Street, Woolloomooloo
  9.30 am – 4.00 pm every ThursdayBookings are also available at the following vaccination clinics:Flourish Australia Centre
  43 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills
  Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 3.30pm
  Book hereAlf Kay Vaccination Clinic
  2 Florence Avenue, Eastlakes
  Monday to Friday, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm
  Book hereCentennial 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 through vaccine clinic finder.Ultimo Community Centre
  40 William Henry Street, Ultimo
  10 .00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday
  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 has 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).  

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.auand for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District please email 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).  

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”. 

COVID-19 vaccine medical exemptions

A new guide has been developed to support immunisation providers have discussions with patients seeking a medical exemption to a COVID-19 vaccine. This guide is informed by research in vaccine communication, de-escalation and clinical experience. It has conversational tips designed to help the patient consider their options and make a plan and, where necessary, manage any conflict.

Vaccine Clinic Finder now in 15 languages 

The Vaccine Clinic Finder (VCF) includes translations in 15 languages aligned with the recently updated advice, ensuring as many people as possible have access to up-to-date information. Multilingual callers can contact Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS National) on 131 450, with priority connection through to the National Coronavirus Helpline. The service supports people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to access relevant information or obtain assistance with finding vaccine appointments. 

Webinar video now available 

Video for NCIRS webinar now available: Weighing up the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccination: a focus on safety. This webinar was chaired by NCIRS Director Professor Kristine Macartney and was held on Wednesday 13 October 2021. Watch here. 

COVID-19 symptom checker 

Please continue to encourage your patients to get tested if they have fever or respiratory symptoms. The Health Direct website has a COVID-19 Symptom Checker can guide people on when and where they can get checked. The website also has a COVID-19 vaccine side effect checker.

COVID-19 live stream update for GPs

Join the latest COVID-19 vaccine live stream update for GPs. The panel will provide latest key updates and answer participants’ questions live about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Get involved by submitting questions and comments!

Details: Thursday 25 October, 11:30am (AEDT) | Click link to join

Catch up on previous webinars 

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 for community 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 pharmacy click here. 

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