Pfizer vaccine now available to Northern NSW residents from Covid clinics

A Northern Rivers vaccination clinic and a selected number of GPs will be able to offer the Pfizer jab within weeks. But now there’s another hurdle facing local clinics.

The Ballina Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic (CVC) began administering the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine this week and will now be able to start accepting people aged 40 to 59.

Planning is under way to increase the number of CVCs offering the Pfizer vaccine.

The six other CVCs in our region are at Murwillumbah, Casino, Yamba, Nambucca Heads, Kempsey and Wauchope.

Additionally, 20 local general practices are due to begin administering the Pfizer vaccine from July 5, with a further 10 commencing on 12 July.

More practices are expected to be included from July 19.

Healthy North Coast chief executive, Julie Sturgess, said the best way for people to find out when and where to book a vaccination was by using the online Vaccine Eligibility Checker and clinic finder.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which was provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for people 16 years and older, is now available in Northern NSW.

Dr Tonia Coren, principal GP at First Light Healthcare, said booking levels had changed from week to week at the Ballina clinic.

“What we have found is that people are becoming more and more interested and wanting to book in, especially now that from this week we have Pfizer vaccine available for those between the aged of 40 to 59,” she said.

“We also have got to ensure that we have enough nurses and they are all trained.

“It’s not necessarily just about how many vaccines we have, we have got huge staffing issues.

“We are trying to get more nurses.”

This week, the Ballina clinic offers 1400 vaccines to Northern Rivers residents and visitors, 1200 Astra Zeneca and 200 Pfizer, Dr Coren said.