As we keep triaging any patients with symptoms and as we keep following infection control protocols strictly, we hope you are keeping well and well taken care of. If things are difficult, please seek help, is probably the best advice we can give.
The situation of public opinion of vaccination today is somewhat more complicated than it used to be. As your doctors and caretaker of your health, here we seek to provide credible information to inform your actions and decisions about your health.
There are 4 stages of vaccinations:
1a. Aged Care, Quarantine Workers
1b. Over 70s, people with underlying conditions and Frontline/Health Workers
2a. Over 50s, other critical workers
2b. Over 18s
3. Under 18s if recommended then
*Detailed Consumer Medicines Information for all the vaccines are not yet available.
Quick Q&A:
Is there a cost for the vaccine? The COVID-19 vaccination will be free for all Medicare-eligible Australians and most visaholders.
Will it be mandatory to have the vaccine? Vaccination will not be mandatory, however it will be strongly recommended, especially for people in vulnerable groups – aged, chronic illness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the disability sector, etc.
How effective is the COVID vaccine? Initial data has shown the Astra Zeneca (Oxford) vaccine to be 70% effective. Patients will need to have 2 doses of the vaccine to get the best protection.
Can the flu vaccine be given at the same time as the COVID vaccine? There needs to be a 14-day gap between administration of the COVID vaccine and the flu vaccine.
Will the Astra Zeneca/Oxford vaccine protect against new COVID-19 variants? Studies of efficacy of vaccines against these variants are still in the early stages of data collection. It is recommended to continue to administer the vaccine.
Several ways your can get the information your require are:
If you would like to know when you will get your vaccines, check your eligibility here.
If you think you are a higher risk of reaction, are concerned, read here and book an appointment to discuss with your doctor. (Pregnant, breastfeeding, immunocompromised, on blood thinning medication, blood clotting condition, anaphylactic, had Covid-19)
The Gordon Doctors have submitted an EOI (Expression On Interest) to run a Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic from Stage 1b for our patients (Astra Zeneca). The Australian Government will decide on where clinics are, based on how best to vaccinate the Australia public and we will wait on their decision.
Rest assure there will be a clinic near you. Some reading as follows, when you are ready to book.
What can you do now? It is a good idea to try to logon to your:
Medicare record
MyGov record
MyHealthRecord (MyHR)
Your vaccinations can be seen on your record and if not attending your own doctor, an updated MyHR will be useful and if not, obtain an updated copy of your Health Summary from your doctor.
Keep watching the news (e.g. ABC news etc) or the official Dept of Health here for updates. You can also follow the Gordon Doctors facebook page, check our webpage or look at our front window notices, for our notifications on how and where to book. If after reading all of these and calling the hotline, you are still concerned, undecided or your underlying conditions are complicated, book an appointment to discuss with you doctor before booking into the vaccination clinic. You can book by calling 94999999 or online.
* deleted reference to vaccine trade name