Revealed: What happens to our Pfizer vaccine?

With regional supplies of the Pfizer vaccine being taken to help vaccinate HSC students in Western Sydney, how will it affect our rollout?

Pfizer vaccine in vials at a vaccination hub.

North Coast residents waiting for their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine will not be affected by the redistribution of regional supply to Sydney.

However, those with existing bookings for their first dose may be in for a wait.

A spokesman from NSW Health said that Pfizer doses were being redistributed to south west and western Sydney due to the need to vaccinate Year 12 students in the LGAs most affected by the current COVID-19 outbreak.

This was to reduce the risk of the virus escaping into the regions from one of their household contacts, such as an authorised worker.

It comes as the testing numbers for the past month in the NNSWLHD area reached almost 20,000.

Up to 40,000 Pfizer doses will be allocated from NSW Health’s rural and regional supply of COVID-19 vaccine to help Year 12 students in south west and western Sydney get back to school for face-to-face learning on August 16.

“The Pfizer doses will be sourced from supplies across rural and regional NSW to ensure no one area is impacted,” they said.

“GPs continue to supply Pfizer vaccinations in regional NSW, and their supplies from the Federal Government are unaffected by this reallocation.

“AstraZeneca remains available from GPs, NSW Health clinics and a growing number of pharmacies.

“NSW Health can assure those in regional NSW who have had a first Pfizer dose they will receive their second dose.”

However, the spokesman said anyone in rural and regional NSW with an existing booking at a NSW Health clinic who has not yet received their first Pfizer dose will be contacted as soon as possible if their booking is going to be impacted.

People can check to see if they are eligible to receive a vaccine, and if eligible, book an appointment at a clinic, via the Australian Government eligibility checker.