Bookings for jab ‘defy’ confusion

• Scottsdale Squash Club in Arthur Street, venue for the State Covid clinic.

By Tony Scott,
June 23, 2021

The change in advice about the target age groups for different Covid-19 vaccines has apparently had minimal impact on bookings for the State-run vaccination clinic to be held at Scottsdale next Sunday and Monday.  

A national medical advisory body last week issued a recommendation that 50 to 59-year olds should not have the AstraZeneca vaccine but wait for a Pfizer jab instead, because of the “very small” risk of blood clotting in the younger age group.

It meant AstraZeneca remained the preferred vaccine for people over 60 and 50 to 59-year olds who had already received one shot have been urged to have the second.

The private Ochre Medical Centre, which has been operating AstraZeneca clinics on Saturday’s has seen its waiting list reduced significantly.

But the State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said Tasmanians were continuing to line-up to get their vaccination following the change in advice.

“Advice received from the State-run clinics providing AstraZeneca vaccinations is that people booked in for their second dose are turning up as scheduled. 

“Tasmanians have taken the change in their stride and are turning up for their vaccination appointments, which is excellent to see. 

“I’m pleased people are hearing the message that if they are over 60, they can still get a first and second dose of AstraZeneca, and if they are aged between 50 and 59 and have already had a first dose of AstraZeneca without any complications, they should continue to get their second dose as scheduled.

“Tasmanians should be congratulated on their efforts to get in and get vaccinated. 

“We are leading the nation in terms of vaccines delivered per capita, and we want that to continue.”

Ms Morgan-Wicks said there had been a surge in bookings for State clinics early this week, with hundreds of people hitting the Public Health Hotline and website to book their Covid jabs. 

More than 200 new bookings were made in a single hour on Monday morning. 

“We want to be very clear that if you have had your first dose of AstraZeneca without any complications, you should continue to receive your second dose as scheduled.”  

The Therapeutic Goods Administration advises that you cannot mix vaccines, and must receive two doses of the same vaccine. 

People who have not had a vaccine yet, and are aged over 60 should book in for their first AstraZeneca vaccination with a GP or with a State Clinic (www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or the public health hotline1800 671 738). 

The Scottsdale clinic will be held at the Scottsdale Squash Centre at 26 Arthur Street on Sunday and Monday 27 – 28 June and again a week later Sunday and Monday July 4 – 5.

The clinics will run from 1pm to 5pm on the Sundays and 9am to 2pm on the Mondays.

A Health Department spokesman confirmed there would be a Pfizer clinic set up in Scottsdale but could not yet nominate a date.

People who have not had a vaccine and are aged between 40 and 59, or are in an eligible group between 16 and 39, should book in their first Pfizer vaccination with a State Clinic on the website or hotline.