This post is not the latest immunisation update and therefore may contain information or advice that is out of date. Please see our most recent update here.
11 August 2021
We are compiling a register of GPs and authorised pharmacist and nurse immunisers who are available to work shifts in COVID vaccination clinics. Please complete this form if you are interested.
The Department of Health has released a fact sheet which outlines who is currently eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Access to the Pfizer vaccine is prioritised for those whom the Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine currently recommended.
NSW Health has updated the referral process and referral form for patients aged ≥ 60 years who meet ATAGI criteria for Pfizer vaccination. Patients can use the referral form to access Pfizer vaccination at a NSW Health vaccination clinic or Commonwealth vaccination clinic, if their regular GP does not have access to Pfizer vaccination.See local Health Pathways site for more information on how to make a referral:
NSW Health walk-in vaccination clinics in Greater Sydney are offering COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccines to anyone aged 18 years and over.
The Local Health District Facebook pages are also updated regularly with details of new pop-up clinic locations:
There is a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site in Ashfield open ONLY for workers of residential aged care facilities and disability group homes. This new vaccination hub for workers in residential aged care facilities and disability group homes is running between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday to Friday.
There is a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site in Burwood for use ONLY by NDIS participants and their support staff/carers.
Incentive payments are now available for administering in-reach COVID-19 vaccination clinics to residential aged care and disability support workers. Primary care vaccination providers can access additional payments of:
These payments are in addition to the per patient fees payable in line with existing funding arrangements (Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) COVID-19 Vaccine Assessment items and practice incentive payments).
Only practices participating in the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) or which operate as a CVC are eligible to participate
Patients who are missing their vaccination record and received their vaccines at one of the below NSW Health vaccination hubs can complete a Vaccination record query form:
Patients who were vaccinated at a different NSW Health vaccination hub can call the NSW Health Vaccination Support Line on 1800 57 11 55.
The Department of Health have released a new vaccination rate report (9 August) listing the percentage of people aged 15 and over who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, by geographic regions and whether they’ve had one dose or are fully vaccinated.
ATAGI updated their guidance for health professions outlines the primary care approach to identifying, diagnosing and treating thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome after COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine.
NSW Health have also issued a clinical alert for TTS. Key points for COVID-19 immunisation providers:
It is incredibly important to ask patients if they have received the AstraZeneca vaccine if they are presenting with unusual or persistent symptoms of headache or abdominal pain, and to refer patients for further testing or treatment.
Contraindications to COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca are:
Precautionary conditions for COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca are:
For people in the above groups who have received a first dose of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, Comirnaty is recommended for the second dose.
People who develop immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) within 42 days after receiving COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca should consult a haematologist regarding whether to proceed with the second dose using the same or an alternate vaccine, and the timing of the second dose.
See Clinical Guidance document.
Contraindications to Comirnaty are:
Precautionary conditions for Comirnaty:
People with a history of any of the following conditions can receive Comirnaty but advice should be sought from a cardiologist about the best timing of vaccination and whether any additional precautions are recommended:
Vaccination should be deferred in people with ongoing cardiac inflammation, or an alternative vaccine (e.g. COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca) considered in people aged ≥ 60 years. People who develop myocarditis and/or pericarditis after receiving Comirnaty should defer further doses and discuss this with their treating doctor.
For further information, refer to guidance on Myocarditis and/or Pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines and Clinical Guidance document.
Incentive payment guideline for GPs, ACCHS and CVCs administering in-reach COVID-19 vaccination clinics to residential aged care and disability support workers.
A statement from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on considerations for establishing drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinic sites
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