The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[DC3]

... caught unaware of the announcement, not on 1b itself. Yes that seems a common reaction.

And, from the above ABC article:

“... As part of Stage 1b of the rollout, all Australians aged 70 or over become eligible for the vaccine, along with more healthcare and frontline workers, and some with specific medical conditions.

Some were keen to make their appointment this morning, logging online to find their nearest available GP and do so — and contacted the ABC with their frustrations when they found out that was not possible.

"I was told they do not even have these injections in stock, and will not be taking phone bookings until approximately April 12, so a big disappointment," one person said ...”

Where’s the Oz COVID vax rollout Czar?

 

[RooFlyer]

Where’s the Oz COVID vax rollout Czar?

I dunno, but approximately 6 million Australians eligible for phase 1b vaccinations, and SHOCK! not everyone was able to make appointments the first morning.

What a scandal!

 

[DC3]

I dunno, but approximately 6 million Australians eligible for phase 1b vaccinations, and SHOCK! not everyone was able to make appointments the first morning.

What a scandal!

In fact almost no-one is able to book. .

Even the GP clinics don’t know what’s going on.

 

[Pushka]

... caught unaware of the announcement, not on 1b itself. Yes that seems a common reaction.

But if the Vaccinations are starting on 22nd, they had to respond to the invite, be trained, then order their supplies (and they weren't included unless they had done those three things) then surely it's obvious something will happen this week?

Post automatically merged: Mar 17, 2021

In fact almost no-one is able to book. .

Even the GP clinics don’t know what’s going on.

Hmmm. The one I booked with seemed to have it all together and honestly it's in a very low socioeconomic area too!

 

[DC3]

But if the Vaccinations are starting on 22nd, they had to respond to the invite, be trained, then order their supplies (and they weren't included unless they had done those three things) then surely it's obvious something will happen this week? ...

Well, I tried the HealthEngine app. I’m in Brisbane. It listed clinics nearest to me, with the 5th or 6th in Noosa.

Hmmm. The one I booked with seemed to have it all together and honestly it's in a very low socioeconomic area too!

You aren’t expected to go to Tasmania, are you?

 

[tgh]

Difficult not to be cynical..
We called our GP… No booking taken until monday
The killer is that they are only being given 80 doses a week… insane….

 

[DC3]

Difficult not to be cynical..
We called our GP… No booking taken until monday
The killer is that they are only being given 80 doses a week… insane….

They could probably dish those out in one day.

 

[Pushka]

Difficult not to be cynical..
We called our GP… No booking taken until monday
The killer is that they are only being given 80 doses a week… insane….

We just have to hope that come CSL roll out that in a couple of weeks their fridges will be full.

 

[drron]

We are hoping to go away mid August at least to Singapore.So as long as we have our shots by the end of April we will be fully covered by the time we depart.I am in 1b but mrsdrron is too young so no point in me rushing.

 

[DC3]

We are hoping to go away mid August at least to Singapore.So as long as we have our shots by the end of April we will be fully covered by the time we depart.I am in 1b but mrsdrron is too young so no point in me rushing.

Maybe time for a health check. May find some qualifying ailments.

 

[VPS]

But if the Vaccinations are starting on 22nd, they had to respond to the invite, be trained, then order their supplies (and they weren't included unless they had done those three things) then surely it's obvious something will happen this week?

Post automatically merged: Mar 17, 2021

Hmmm. The one I booked with seemed to have it all together and honestly it's in a very low socioeconomic area too!

did you have to provide proof you were in 1b?

 

[DC3]

did you have to provide proof you were in 1b?

Age would be the easiest (for some). . Medicare card #.

 

[mviy]

We are hoping to go away mid August at least to Singapore.So as long as we have our shots by the end of April we will be fully covered by the time we depart.I am in 1b but mrsdrron is too young so no point in me rushing.

Yes, that's certainly an issue for travelling. If travel companions are in different groups then there's less of a rush for whoever's in the higher priority group. I have some friends in a similar situation but if they can't get to the UK in August they probably won't be travelling overseas until they can or they can meet people living in the UK in a third country.

The chances of catching the virus in Australia with the international border closure and hotel quarantine in place is minimal so in my view the only reason for most to hurry to get vaccinated is to be allowed to travel.

 

[VPS]

Age would be the easiest.

she's not old enough - she's younger than me

 

[Pushka]

We are hoping to go away mid August at least to Singapore.So as long as we have our shots by the end of April we will be fully covered by the time we depart.I am in 1b but mrsdrron is too young so no point in me rushing.

So you are assuming you will have Pfizer then? Vaccination next week takes you to mid June with AZ.

Post automatically merged: Mar 17, 2021

did you have to provide proof you were in 1b?

Yes. It's all loaded up in MyHealth and I have scripts etc and which are obvious when my Medicare number is checked. it's specifically listed in the last row here. MrP is medical and he's taking his AHPRA registration. Actually looking at that he can get it on medical too.

 

[DC3]

she's not old enough - she's younger than me

Yes. Tried editing, for discretion, but AFF is being very slow for me today.

 

[Pushka]

Queanbeyan is NSW but a large number of people living there would work in the ACT - rentals and housing is cheaper and becoming more so over time as rates and land tax are crazy expensive in the ACT. Canberra Hospital is the major hospital for the area, so any complex cases would be transferred from Queanbeyan to Canberra anyway.

Given states are getting allocations for their populations it does seem a bit unfair for ACT residents to go over there to get vaccinated but then on the other hand as you say a Queanbeyan resident could have an ACT GP and get vaccinated here.

We are all one country, not that you would think it with attitudes over the last year.....

I didn’t get my head snapped off when I sent her the latest info, so we will see what happens

When you think things have calmed a little, I found this on a Lupus support FB.

Advice re adjusting meds.

 

[DC3]

... Given states are getting allocations for their populations it does seem a bit unfair for ACT residents to go over there to get vaccinated but then on the other hand as you say a Queanbeyan resident could have an ACT GP and get vaccinated here ...

I’ve witnessed the morning commute from Queanbeyan to Canberra. Thousands of them who work for the Federal Government, Iiving in Queanbeyan and working in government offices.

 

[Flying mermaid]

When you think things have calmed a little, I found this on a Lupus support FB.

Advice re adjusting meds.

View attachment 243150

Thanks for that - I will alert her. You really have to make sure you are across these things. She contacted her Rheumatologist (the Canberra one not the Sydney one) and she wasn’t even able to tell her whether she fell into 1b or not, let alone what the interactions are.

 

[drron]

So you are assuming you will have Pfizer then? Vaccination next week takes you to mid June with AZ.

No we will be having the AZ vaccine hopefully from our GP.The second shot if we have the first in Late April will be in July about 4 weeks from planned travel