Not eligible? No worries: Early 20s offered Pfizer at hospital walk-in

Queenslanders of all ages are walking in off the street for the Pfizer jab at the Princess Alexandra Hospital - no questions asked.

Confusion reigns over the vaccination rollout as Queenslanders of all ages walk in off the street for the Pfizer jab at the Princess Alexandra Hospital with no questions asked.

The youngest and healthiest members of the national rollout plan, Phase 2b, were included in the line-up getting vaccinated yesterday at the South Brisbane hub.

Queensland Health confirmed that hubs would be vaccinating outside of priority groups at their discretion to ensure there was minimal waste.

“Every dose of COVID-19 vaccine is precious,” a Queensland Health spokeswoman said.

Walk-ins on Wednesday were not queried about their eligibility for the vaccine.

Shanna Zemek, 30, said it was clear anyone was welcome at the hub when she arrived.

“I said ‘are you accepting everybody? We’re not health care workers’ and they said ‘yes, walk-ins to the left’,” she said.

A Queensland Health staff member told another patient that the hub had been busier this week because “just anyone” was joining the queue.

Princess Alexandra Hospital where Covid-19 Vaccine is being administered. Photographer: Liam Kidston

State-run clinics had administered nearly 200,000 jabs as of Tuesday, vaccination data shows, with the rate of daily jabs more than doubling to 5600 compared to 2400 the same time last week.

This group aged 16 to 49 are not due for their vaccine until late in the year but have jumped the queue ahead of thousands of Queenslanders with disability deemed at high risk of COVID-19.

It was reported on May 21 that less than 1 per cent of Queenslanders with disabilities – deemed at extreme risk from COVID-19 – had received the lifesaving jab.

Ms Zemek heard through friends that the hub was trying to fill gaps in the Pfizer rollout due to cancellations.

“My dad is a member of the vulnerable community being quadriplegic, so I was motivated to get the vaccine as soon as possible so I thought I’d go and see if I could,” Miss Zemek said.

Princess Alexandra Hospital Covid-19 Vaccine line. Photographer: Liam Kidston

She questioned why the walk-in process at the PA Hospital had been kept quiet when Queenslanders desperate for the jab could make themselves available on short notice.

“Certainly there should be a system that allows for last minute vaccinations,” she said.

“If people have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, I think lots of people would flexible enough with their days that we could register to the area and go in if a spot became available.”

Infectious disease expert Professor Nigel McMillan, from Griffith University, said supply seemed to be outstripping demand for the vaccine from eligible groups.

“It’s time for the State Government to implement large vaccination hubs and open up the vaccine to everyone over 18 subject to supply,” he said.

“We took a staged approach because supply was restricted but if there are vaccines available then people should be able to access them.

“Ultimately, we’ve got to get to herd immunity.”

People queue for the Covid-19 vaccination at the Princess Alexandra Hospital on May 26.

Mr McMillan said he wasn’t aware of how the PA Hospital’s vaccine hub was operating but said vaccines could be stored at 4 degrees for two weeks.

He said expiry dates could play into a need to use supplies.

The Queensland Health spokeswoman said the end goal was to vaccinate as many Queenslanders as possible.

“We are exploring strategies to ensure the vaccine rollout progresses, including establishing 14 community-based vaccination locations and preparing for mass vaccination locations later in the year,” she said.

The PA Hospital hub has a cancellation rate of less than 1 per cent.

Princess Alexandra Hospital Covid-19 Vaccine line reduced in length after first dose walk-ins refused access. Photographer: Liam Kidston

Existing bookings are prioritised and walk-ins will be required to wait.

Ms Zemek said it would be beneficial if there was more transparency regarding the rollout plan for under 50s.

“There seems to be so much complacency and as young people, we think well it's not our turn yet, but it’s concerning that there is no discussions around the logistics of the roll out,” she said.

“There’s just so much confusion and befuddlement about the process.”