Bundaberg Region residents can check their eligibility to participate in the phase 1B COVID-19 vaccine rollout with services coming online from 22 March through local GPs.
The Bundaberg Region general practices are among the more than 1000 throughout the country enlisted to strengthen the Commonwealth’s capacity to distribute vaccines to those eligible under phase 1B.
Phase 1B includes vulnerable groups, such as older people and people with certain underlying medical conditions.
With six million Australians in Phase 1B, the Federal Government has called for patience as not all eligible residents will be able to be vaccinated immediately.
Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said GPs carried out invaluable work in local communities and this initiative would see them play a vital role in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
“Phase 1B of the rollout will see 1000 GPs across Australia delivering COVID-19 vaccines for our elderly and immunocompromised, progressively increasing in number to more than 4000 by the end of April,” Mr Pitt said.
“Australians eligible for Phase 1B will be able to find a vaccination provider through the new national vaccination information and location service, at the Department of Health website.
“This will enable people to locate their nearest general practice or General Practice Respiratory Clinic providing vaccinations and link through to their online booking system or phone number to make the appointment.
“Vaccines are the game changer in our fight against the COVID-19 virus and I urge everyone in Australia to come forward and get vaccinated when they are able to.
“It will protect themselves, their family, and their community.”
IWC, as the Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) for the Bundaberg Region, will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations to First Nation peoples. IWC will provide these vaccinations in clinics that will commence Monday 19 April 2021.
In making the COVID-19 vaccine rollout announcement, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt MP, said the would continue to grow in the coming weeks.
“This staged scale up will align with the supply of the locally produced AstraZeneca vaccine, and as more vaccine becomes available more services will come online,” Minister Hunt said.
“General practices will play a major role in ensuring all Australians who seek to be vaccinated have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.”
COVID-19 vaccine phase 1B rollout:
Appointments on the service finder will increase as general practices establish their systems and vaccine supply. More appointments will become available as more clinics come on-board.
People will still be able to book their vaccine appointments directly at a participating general practice – as they do now, for instance, to get a seasonal flu vaccine.
As the rollout moves into Phase two, additional general practices and selected community pharmacists will also participate in the program.
FAQs for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout:
Where do I go and how do I book in?
Go to Department of Health website. Using the Eligibility Checker, you can find out which phase of the rollout you are in. If you are eligible, you will be able to view vaccination clinics and book an appointment online or via phone. If you are not yet eligible, you will be able to register your interest so that you can be notified when you are able to book.
If you prefer not to use the online option, you can call the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 1800 020 080.
What happens if there are no clinics or appointments in my area?
A list of Commonwealth vaccination clinics, participating General Practices, and state and territory vaccination clinics will be made available as they come online.
Do I have to use the Eligibility Checker in order to book?
The checker is a helpful tool to help you find out if you are currently eligible to book.
The checker will guide you through to a simple way to find and book vaccine appointments, or help you register to be notified if you are part of a later phase. If you prefer to book appointments directly at a participating general practice or Commonwealth state vaccination clinic, you can contact them directly to do so.
