It just got a whole lot easier for those who are wanting to get vaccinated to get the jab with a new COVID-19 vaccination clinic opening in Byron Bay from Friday October 8 till Friday October 22.
The NSW Health clinic will be offering Pfizer vaccines at the Byron Bay Surf Club, Bay Street, Byron Bay. The clinic will be open Monday to Friday between 8am and 3.30pm, with walk-ins and booked appointments available.
Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) COVID-19 Vaccination Program Coordinator, Matt Long, said the District has been continuing to work closely with health partners and community leaders to expand local vaccination options as vaccine supply increases across the region.
‘As restrictions in NSW gradually start to ease, the risk of coming into contact with someone who has the virus will be higher,’ Mr Long said.
While many in the country have labelled the Northern Rivers region as anti-vax with Mullumbimby being touted as the ‘anti-vax capital’ it may come as a surprise that as of October 4, 72 per cent of people in the Byron Shire had received their first vaccination dose. For many locals this highlights that it was less that people were unwilling to get vaccinated and more that the vaccines have not been available until recently. For many there is an interest to see at what percentage the vaccination level will reach considering the vocal voice of conscientious objectors in the region.
According to Healthy North Coast vaccination rates across the North Coast continue to rise with 84 per cent of those aged 16 and over now having had their first dose and 54 per cent fully vaccinated.
Healthy North Coast Chief Executive Officer Julie Sturgess said overall vaccination rates in the region are increasing at about five per cent a week, which is slightly faster than the national vaccination trend.
‘With the recent significant increase in supply, it is becoming easier and easier for the community to access vaccines through their GP, neighbourhood pharmacy, a pop-up clinic or local Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS),’ Ms Sturgess said.
‘We’re expecting to have about 30,000 Pfizer doses available per week in October, as well as increased supplies of Moderna and AstraZeneca.’
Second dose
‘COVID-19 is a serious illness which can affect people of all ages. Completing both doses of either Astra Zeneca, Pfizer or Moderna can reduce a person’s chance of hospital admission and death by around 90 pe cent, and also reduces the spread of the virus to others,’ Mr Long said
‘We are implementing a range of measures to ensure vaccination is accessible to everyone, including our most vulnerable, to reduce some of the barriers which may have prevented people from coming forward so far.’
Mobile vaccination clinics in Byron and Mullumbimby during October with the specific aim of providing vulnerable communities with the opportunity to get vaccinated.
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