News

COVID-19 Vaccine News 

Published 31 May 2021

 

Regional GP Grants

Regional practices could benefit from COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program, please check the practice’s eligibility on our website at this link and to find out more and check your practice’s eligibility for this grant, please visit the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program.

AstraZeneca

  • The COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine is the only vaccine currently in the market
  • AstraZeneca is the only vaccine available at GPs at present
  • The Australian Government has announced that participating primary care vaccination sites may choose to transfer AstraZeneca vaccines from one participating sit to another, for reasons including but not limited to:
    • to support unmet demand at another site,
    • an oversupply of vaccine stock on hand, or
    • unused stock following withdrawal from the COVID-19 Vaccination Program - more information
  • On 21 May 2021 the Australian Government released new information to assist GPs with ‘Talking to patients about AstraZeneca vaccine’

Pfizer

  • People in phases 1a and 1b can still receive Pfizer vaccinations, but it is only available in hospitals.
  • On 25 May 2021 the Australian Government updated its COVID-19 vaccination consent form.
  • On 24 May 2021, the Queensland government has announced that it will open 14 community-based vaccination hubs by the end of July 2021.  Members of the general public aged 40-49, interested in COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination will be able to register for vaccination.
  • Four of the 14 community-based vaccination locations have been determined which are across the Wide Bay and Mackay regions at:
    • Central Queensland University City Campus (Mackay);
    • Bundaberg TAFE;
    • Hervey Bay TAFE;
    • Maryborough City Hall; and
    • the rest will be announced in the coming weeks.

Phase 2a of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

  • The only recipient group in phase 2a of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is over 50s
  • From 17 May 2021, people 50 years and over can have access to the AstraZeneca vaccine at a participating general practice

COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1b: Where to direct your queries

Most relevant to those GPs in the Brisbane North Public Health Network (but has utility outside of this geography to a large extent too), has produced an excellent resource for General Practice which provides a directory of sorts for a broad range of inquiries GPs might have relating to COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1B, find it at this link.  We encourage you to use this.