Wayville Covid vaccination queues snake out the door as fourth dose becomes available for over-30s
Hospitalisations of people with Covid are heading for record levels as people join long queues for a fourth dose, now available to the over-30s.
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Queues have been snaking out the building at the state’s mass vaccination hub as the eligibility for the fourth dose opened to people over the age of 30 on Monday.
The Wayville Vaccination Clinic had a line out of the door on Monday morning with people taking the first opportunity to ramp up their protection against a surge in Covid cases.
The increased demand at the clinic comes just three days before it is set to close.
Wayville will be replaced by the Myer Centre site reopening and clinics at King William Rd and Enfield.
Demand for a fourth jab is building as SA Health reported that hospitalisations of people with Covid are nearing record levels.
Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier and Health Minister Chris Picton had their fourth doses this morning.
Mr Picton said there were 600 GPs and pharmacies across the state offering fourth doses.
“In addition to that we have SA Health clinics as well . . . the Noarlunga mass vaccination site, Wayville is still open and transitioning on Friday to the Myer Centre site, we’ve got King William St site . . . the Elizabeth GP+ Centre,” he said.
He said throughout the week various regional centres would open as well.
“Pharmacies are ready and raring to go.”
Prof Spurrier said he fourth dose was “pretty good timing because we have this BA4 and BA5 coming”.
She said previous vaccines were not as good against the new variants.
On bringing back mask rules she called on the community to get behind wearing masks and reminded people they were required to wear them on public transport and high risk areas.
“For us to bring back mask mandates (in other areas) in South Australia we would need an emergency declaration and we feel the community has moved through that period of time.
“What we’ll be doing, the minister and I, is monitoring the situation over the next couple of weeks and . . . see what’s happening in our hospitals.”
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has said the immune period will be slashed from 12 weeks to 28 days, with Prof Spurrier saying that would happen today.
“Yes, we’re changing that . . . probably today,” Prof Spurrier said.
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It comes as South Australian businesses have been urged to consider imposing their own mask rules to stop Covid-19 spreading, as a third Omicron wave sweeps the country.
Professor Spurrier said employers and firms should start thinking about business continuity plans and about how to protect their employees.
She said Atagi reccommended three months between getting Covid and getting your next vaccination.
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