Covid Pfizer vaccination Central Coast and Newcastle: Jabs to be returned

Pfizer jabs taken from the Central Coast and Newcastle region are set to be replaced. Here’s the latest.

Pfizer vaccinations taken from the Central Coast and Newcastle are set to be returned.

On Wednesday night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the jabs which were redirected from regional NSW for HSC students in Sydney would be replaced as part of a fresh batch of 183,690 Pfizer jabs to be delivered to the State Government.

“Those in the regions will have their redirected doses replaced,” he said.

“Importantly, the vast majority of these doses will go straight to South West Sydney.”

Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks said the fresh Pfizer vaccinations would go directly to NSW, with deliveries scheduled for August 9 and 16. Around 20,000 would go back to regional areas.

Pfizer jabs redirected to Sydney will be returned in the coming weeks. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams

“It’s a condition I have fought for and something the Prime Minister has driven, to ensure that the Pfizer doses taken from regional NSW including the Central Coast, be returned or replaced,” she said.

Ms Wicks said it had been a tough week for people that had their Pfizer appointments cancelled.

“We know how important those vaccinations were for people who had been waiting and doing the right thing,” she said.

Ms Wicks said the news would come as a relief to locals who had their vaccinations cancelled. Picture: Annika Enderborg

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the condition of the fresh Pfizer allocation was the return of jabs to regional areas. Picture: Gary Ramage

“Suddenly to have no opportunity to get vaccinated was really tough for many coasties. To see this announcement overnight is going to be a real relief for people.”

Ms Wicks expressed her best wishes to the new coast cases announced this morning from Lake Munmorah Public School.

“I am wishing everybody involved, students and families all the best for the coming weeks,” she said.

“We are all with them in this and are wishing them a speedy recovery.”

Earlier – August 2, 2021

A blame game has erupted over the decision to send Pfizer vaccines to the Sydney HSC students, as local frustration continues to mount.

Thousands of Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter residents were shocked to receive text messages that their Pfizer vaccination appointment at Belmont, Gosford and Wyong vaccination hubs had been cancelled over the weekend.

NSW Health confirmed that with Year 12 students returning to school, around 40,000 Pfizer vaccines would be redirected from across the state.

“As part of its pandemic response, NSW Health is taking this important temporary measure to also give us the best chance of containing the current outbreak in Greater Sydney as quickly as possible,” a spokesman said.

Example of the text message received by thousands of people.

“As a result, people in other regions could receive a notice advising their first dose of

Pfizer will be rescheduled.”

People who have had their first doses or those in priority groups such as frontline healthcare workers and aged care staff and residents will not be affected.

At Monday’s NSW Health media conference, when 207 new cases were announced, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was vital for the HSC students to be vaccinated.

She said decisions regarding prioritisation of vaccinations were led by expert advice and about reducing circulation of the virus in particular communities.

“We are doing what is in the best interests of public health,” she said. “Can I stress how important it is for us to get Year 12 students able to complete their HSC exams and make sure they have those qualifications they worked hard for.”

She said with Pfizer open to 16-18 year olds, it was important to give them the opportunity to sit their HSC.

The vaccine is being redirected to HSC students in Sydney.

Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper said around 5500 appointments from the Belmont vaccination hub had been cancelled.

“Just days ago we were assured by NSW Health and the government that existing bookings would not be affected, and then they go and cancel 5500 of them,” he said.

“I’ve already been contacted by hundreds of angry locals – some are frontline workers, some are aged care workers, some have cancer and are immune compromised.”

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said she was concerned about the future of the new vaccination hub in Belmont with vaccinations being taken away.

“I’ve had couples say they’re really in the high need, they had taken time off work for their appointments and now they have been cancelled at the last minute so they’re very cranky and that’s just one of many people who have come to me and said why are we treated like second class citizens in regional NSW,” she said.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said she was concerned for the people of Lake Macquarie. Picture: Supplied.

“We’re right on the doorstep of what is happening on the Central Coast and Sydney so I’m concerned for the 208,000 people in Lake Macquarie. Everyone wants to get vaccinated but yet we can’t because there are no vaccines.”

“People are wasting time, the booking system was a bit of a debacle, wasting time trying to get on to make an appointment and then when they finally get an appointment time, they’re getting organised changing work arrangements and then to have it cancel in a matter of days, they’ve been trying for so long.

“We need to be vaccinated up here just as much as anyone else.”

“That’s the road map out is to get vaccinated.”

Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch described the redirected vaccinations as “unfair and frustrating”, however said it could have been avoided if the Federal Government provided enough Pfizer vaccinations.

Adam Crouch said the move was a result of the Federal Government not providing enough Pfizer vaccines

Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper said the cancellation was a joke.

“I’m frustrated that the Federal Government has not secured enough Pfizer for NSW,” he said.

“As the Health Minister has said, we would not be in this Hunger Games situation if the Federal Government had given us enough doses.

“We have the staff and the space at Gosford Hospital ready and waiting to run a mass vaccination hub, but we simply don’t have enough doses from the Federal Government.”

Robertson federal MP Lucy Wicks said the decision affected State Government led clinics and would not affect Federal vaccination clinics and GPS.

“The Federal Government is focused on ensuring there are more locations across the Central Coast, so locals can get a vaccination in their own community,” she said.

“Around 75 per cent of GPs on the Central Coast are administering vaccines, with 12 of those able to administer Pfizer and more coming online soon.”

Around 40,000 Pfizer vaccines were redirected to Sydney. Picture: Rae Wilson

Wyong state Labor MP David Harris said the decision was made despite the coast recording a new case over the weekend.

“These cancellations leave the Central Coast and the Hunter without sufficient vaccine supply during our states most significant COVID-19 outbreak,” Mr Harris said.

“The issue is only further compounded by the failure of the Berejiklian Government to make the AstraZeneca vaccine available at the Belmont hub until mid-August.

“Our community has been doing the right thing locked down for weeks as part of Greater Sydney because we’re told we’re at risk? This just doesn’t make sense sending our supplies of Pfizer away.”

Gosford state Labor MP Liesl Tesch said the move highlights that the State Government is “continuing to use the Central Coast as a buffer zone for Sydney, demanding we lock down, and then diminishing our access to vaccines”.

“We will continue to fight for our region’s autonomy and fair access to health resources for both our physical and mental wellbeing.” she said.