Ipswich Hospital Covid vaccines are being reserved for high priority cases

A woman who was booked in for the Pfizer vaccine this week was turned away while waiting in line, with health authorities telling her to wait for news of more vaccines arriving.

Ipswich residents booked in for the Pfizer jabbed have been turned away at the hospital because doses are being saved for the highest priority groups.

IPSWICH health authorities have been forced to turn away nonpriority vaccine recipients as they carefully reserve enough doses of the Pfizer vaccine for those awaiting a jab.

The Queensland Times was told on Thursday at least two people who had booked appointments for their first jab at Ipswich Hospital’s Cribb House were turned away because they were not in the current priority group.

It is understood both women were aged under 40, but had booked through the official government website.

One of the women told the Queensland Times she was advised to keep track of media reports on the arrival of more of the Pfizer vaccines before rebooking her appointment.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she had even received a reminder message about her appointment the day before, only to be told as she was lining up for the jab that she would not receive it.

West Moreton Health has delivered 14,161 Covid-19 vaccinations to the community to date, including a record 636 vaccinations on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman confirmed healthcare workers and other high-risk occupational groups were the current priority.

“We are continuing to prioritise healthcare workers and other high-risk occupational groups through our Ipswich Hospital Cribb House vaccination clinic, including residential aged care and disability care staff and Queensland Police Service employees,” she said.

“We continue to encourage anyone in Phase 1a and 1b to come forward to get vaccinated.

“We are also pleased to be vaccinating members of the general community aged 40 or over in accordance with the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine National Roll-out Strategy.”

West Moreton Health said it was vital to keep enough vaccines to deliver second doses during the “clinically advised window of opportunity’, which for Pfizer is 21-42 days from the first dose.

“Vaccine supply is expected to increase in coming months, which will enable us to provide more opportunities for West Moreton residents to be vaccinated.”

Queenslanders can register their interest in being vaccinated at www.health.qld.gov.au/vaccinebookings.

Dependent on priority status and demand in the region, people may receive an invitation to book within 24 hours or it may take several days or weeks to receive an invitation.