More places to roll up your sleeve for Covid jabs

Sorry anti-vaxxers, but the numbers don’t lie — Northern Rivers residents are getting their Covid-19 jabs in droves. And soon it will be even easier for others to join them.

PHARMACISTS ON BOARD: As the federal government reveals nearly 195,000 Covid vaccinations have been delivered in the region, more pharmacies have been announced ion the Northern Rivers as places to get your jab. File photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP

The Federal Government has released new data showing nearly 195,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been given across the North Coast.

According to Healthy North Coast, this puts the region on par with national and state averages.

The Australian Government’s most recent geographic vaccination rates show more than 45 per cent of the eligible North Coast population has had one vaccine dose, compared to 46 per cent of the eligible NSW population and 44 per cent Australia-wide.

Within the region, first dose rates are: Mid North Coast – 49.2 per cent, Coffs Harbour-Grafton – 44.4 per cent and Richmond-Tweed – 42.5 per cent.

New vaccination locations

This news comes as Page MP Kevin Hogan announced the community must continue to get vaccinated and more pharmacies signing up to administer the vaccine.

“With the lockdown we have been thrown into, by those who don’t care for us, now more than ever it is important to get vaccinated,” Mr Hogan said.

“So far there have been over 14.4 million doses administered, now running at about 250,000 doses a day.”

“It is great to see new pharmacies in our region have signed up to administer the vaccine, with this list being added to each week.”

“Receiving your COVID-19 vaccines at your community pharmacy is safe and convenient. All pharmacists must complete an approved vaccination course and mandatory COVID-19 vaccination training before they can administer COVID-19 vaccines.”

Mr Hogan said the following pharmacies in the region have been added to the list of those delivering the vaccine in the region:

Lismore Central Chempro – 02 6621 9159

Lismore Square Priceline Pharmacy – 02 6621 2218

Lismore Woodlark Chempro Chemist – 02 6621 5212

Southside Pharmacy Lismore – 02 6621 4500

Mcdonalds Pharmacy Casino – 02 6662 1036

Scrivener & Webb Chemist Casino – 02 6662 1202

East Ballina Pharmacy – 02 6681 4446

Lennox Head Chempro Chemist – 02 5622 6050

Terry White Chemmart Ballina – 02 6686 8800

For more information and to check you eligibility, please click here.

How the region jab rates are going

Healthy North Coast chief executive Julie Sturgess said nearly 20 per cent of the eligible North Coast population has received their second dose, compared to 23 per cent in NSW and 22.5 per cent overall in Australia.

“It’s fantastic to see the Mid North Coast leading the region in vaccinations and I encourage people in all areas to get the jab to protect themselves and their community,” she said.

“Our second dose rate is a little bit lower than the NSW and national average, but it is increasing in line with supply availability.”

Ms Sturgess said this brings the region into line with other regional areas in NSW.

“This may be because in outbreak areas like Sydney, second AstraZeneca doses are being brought forward, so people are getting them more quickly than here,” she said.

“If you’ve had your first dose, please ensure you get your second for maximum protection.”

The recommended dose interval is 12 weeks for AstraZeneca and 3-6 weeks for Pfizer.

The interval for AstraZeneca can be shortened in an outbreak area, based on a recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, but this has not yet happened in northern NSW.

In the week to 10 August, 11,741 doses were administered in the Healthy North Coast footprint, from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads.

Ms Sturgess said the figures were pleasing and that demand is still exceeding current supply for the region, showing there is strong support to get vaccinated.

‘We will continue to see vaccine dose supplies increase, opening up more appointment availability,” she said.

The best way to find out when and where to book a vaccination is by going to the Department of Health website and using the Vaccine Eligibility Checker.