Covid jabs arrived

March 24, 2021

Scottsdale medical practice Ochre Health expects to start administering Covid vaccine next week.

The North-East has been declared a cohort one region by the Commonwealth for the roll out of the vaccine. 

About 100 doses of the AstraZeneca have arrived at the clinic, which will start making appointments in the next days.

Ochre’s Regional Manager for Tasmania, Nicky Pollington, advised patients particularly elderly people to ring the Scottsdale clinic to make an appointment, but also said people should not panic or be in too much of a hurry.

“We’ll be ramping up as more supplies become available from the local manufacturer CSL in Melbourne.

“But we’ll be testing the process first with doctors and frontline workers receiving the vaccine to ensure things go smoothly.”

She strongly recommended that people check their eligibility before trying the make an appointment. 

This could be done on the healthdirect.gov.au website via the Covic-19 vaccine eligibility checker.

 Eligible people in phase 1B of the vaccine rollout include people over 70 years of age; health care workers not vaccinated in phase 1A; Aboriginal people over 55; adults with a specified medical condition, adults with a severe disability and critical and high risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processors.   

The health direct website also has a booking facility, but it is still experiencing issues.

Late yesterday people trying to book in Scottsdale received this message.

“Clinics are experiencing a high volume of calls at the moment. Please use online appointments where available. If you are not able to make an appointment, please check back in a week when additional appointments may become available.”

Ms Pollington said people particularly the elderly, who may not be computer savvy should telephone the practice.

Ochre’s own on-line booking portal was not open yet and wouldn’t be for some time. 

“We’re putting on extra reception staff to help streamline the process.”

“With the number of shots available there can be no guarantee we’ll be able to help everyone immediately.”

With no community transmissions in Tasmania for many months she said people should and could afford to be patient.

Ms Pollington stressed the vaccine was free for all medicare cardholders.