3 May 2021

COVID-19 vaccination eligibility and jab locations in the ACT expand to accelerate rollout

| Dominic Giannini
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Nurse receives vaccine

National Cabinet brought forward the vaccine rollout for over 50s. Photo: Supplied.

Canberrans over the age of 50 will be able to receive the AstraZeneca jab from today (3 May) at Territory-run clinics and GP respiratory clinics.

The Calvary clinic will also open from today to manage the increase in demand as the rollout continues and will have the capacity to administer around 600 to 800 a week.

It will operate between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Monday to Friday.

The Garran centre will administer the Pfizer vaccine to people under 50 who are eligible under phase 1a and 1b but have not yet been vaccinated.

Around 40,000 Canberrans between the age of 50 and 69 have had their vaccinations brought forward by today’s adoption of phase 2A.

Over 50s had their vaccination timeline expedited after rare blood clotting risks for people under 50 were linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. Pfizer stocks, which are only available through special hubs due to the stringent storage requirements, are being conserved for under-50s.

Australians will be able to receive an AstraZeneca jab from 17 May at all other GP clinics participating in the rollout.

Around 28,000 Canberrans have received at least one jab so far.

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The ACT Government has opened the Garran centre’s booking system to the wider public for the first time. It will cover people in the first phases under the age of 50 to receive Pfizer vaccines and over 50s who have had their timeline brought forward.

Bookings are not yet open to the public despite the expansion of the Garran rollout being known since the original announcement from National Cabinet on 22 April.

The booking system has also been revamped and Canberrans will be shepherded towards an online booking system instead of the current phone lines.

While ACT Health officials were working behind the scenes to push information out and meet the new deadline as quickly as possible, NSW Premier Glady Berejiklian publically admitted last week she was caught off guard by the National Cabinet decision to move forward with the next vaccination phase.

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Ms Berejiklian said NSW always made sure systems were properly in place before being opened to the public throughout the pandemic. The announcement subsequently delayed the opening of a Sydney vaccination hub by a week as the state prepares for the next phase of the rollout.

Ms Berejiklian said it was important that processes were right to ensure public confidence in the system remained high.

Eligible Canberrans can book an appointment:

  • Using the Australian Government’s Vaccine Eligibility Checker to find a participating GP or a link to ACT Government vaccination clinics.
  • Online using MyDHR for ACT Government vaccination clinics in Garran and Bruce.
  • Or by calling the ACT Government COVID-19 vaccination booking line on 02 5124 7700 (8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday) if you cannot access the online booking system or do not have a Medicare card.

For more information about the vaccine’s rollout in the ACT, visit www.covid19.act.gov.au/vaccine.

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The DHR is just another cock-up from this useless government. How about making apps that work? Tried many times, no use. Can’t get through on the phone. Why bother?

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