FOR those feeling nervous or hesitant about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, Committee for Ballarat chief Michael Poulton urges people to focus on the bigger picture - doing what is best and what is necessary to keep the community safe.
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Australian vaccine officials have recommitted to having everyone eligible and willing to be fully jabbed by the end of this year after an emergency national cabinet meeting on Monday.
This comes after health services in Ballarat were not immune to a major appointment overhaul late Thursday when the advice receiving AstraZeneca was revised to people aged 60-plus.
Mr Poulton felt the full effects of COVID-normal volatility when, unable to access a same-day flight home from a business trip in Sydney, travel restrictions changed before he arrived home the next morning. Mr Poulton had to isolate until returning a negative COVID test.
"There is potential for the outbreak in Sydney to be widespread ...COVID lingers and travel just shows that volatility. We don't get to a sense of confidence until enough people are vaccinated," Mr Poulton said.
"For some of us, we might be facing the uncomfortable but it's about keeping the community safe and there's enough evidence in Australia the vaccines, for the most part, are safe."
UFS, which leads a free, government vaccine clinic stocking only AstraZeneca, experienced a "small number of cancellations". A UFS spokesperson said the change had not impacted booking for second doses, despite the late pivot under Australian health advice.
This is in line with the nation, with Australian health officials reporting 98 per cent of people turned up for their second dose appointments last week, for both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs.
Australian chief medical officer Paul Kelly said also the latest survey data on vaccine hesitancy showed the rate of people not prepared to take up vaccinations was stable.
AstraZeneca vaccinations in Ballarat are also available through participating general practitioners. Ballarat Health Services runs the city's mass vaccination hub, based at the Mercure Hotel. This is the only place for the general public to access Pfizer vaccines.
Vaccines cannot be mixed in Australia, under clinical rulings from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, despite mixed use in other nations.
Only a person who has experienced a sever allergic reaction, or blood clots combined with low platelets levels, can seek a change from AstraZeneca to Pfizer for the second dose.
IN OTHER NEWS
BHS is no longer taking walk-ups for vaccinations, requesting everyone eligible book via the state health department online or via the state hotline, 1800 675 398.
Due to a vaccine shortage, first-dose Pfizer is only available for high-risk hotel and quarantine staff.
Several premiers spent the weekend calling for more Pfizer jabs from the Commonwealth, which countered by arguing the states were under-ordering.
No premiers or chief ministers made specific requests for more doses at national cabinet.
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