COVID NSW: Government launches website listing northern beaches vaccine providers

Some residents on the northern beaches can now begin to book in for a COVID injection, although a poll has found 35 per cent do not want the AstraZeneca jab.

Thousands of residents on the northern beaches can now book in for a COVID-19 jab.

However, more than a third of people who voted on our Manly Daily Facebook and Instagram polls yesterday said they would not take the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine if it was offered.

It comes as a number of European countries paused their AstraZeneca rollout due to concerns around blood clots, despite the Europe’s drug regulator saying it is safe.

More than 650 people responded across our two social media polls, with 35 per cent saying they would not take the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Quite a few British followers on our Facebook page tried to reassure people saying they and their families had taken it and were fine.

A generic image of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Denise Moran wrote: “I am in the UK and had mine 2 weeks ago and my arm was a little sore like the flu jab.

“Don’t put your lives at risk because the EU don’t like us.

“Look at the stats and decide, it’s a no brainer.”

This week Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt launched a website listing the first Australia GP clinics to offer the vaccinations, including 337 in NSW.

Nine GP clinics on the northern beaches are taking part in “Phase 1B” of the vaccination rollout which includes jabs for vulnerable groups, such as older people and people with certain underlying medical conditions.

Older residents of the northern beaches, as well as locals who work in health care and in essential industries, can now starting booking for their COVID vaccination jabs at some GP clinics. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

These clinics will offer jabs to any eligible person on a first come, first served basis from March 22.

Eligible people under Phase 1B are:

Adults aged 80 years and over; adults aged 70-79 years; non frontline health care workers; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over 55; Adults with a specified medical condition (People will need to provide proof of these conditions to demonstrate their eligibility for vaccination via My health record, a health professional referral if required or a declaration form); adults with a disability who have a specified underlying medical condition; critical and high risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processors.

Non frontline health workers are now eligible for the COVID jab as part of the staged vaccination rollout. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Those eligible for Phase 1B can find a vaccination provider through the new national vaccination information and location service, at the Department of Health website.

This will enable people to locate their nearest general practice providing General Practice Respiratory Clinic vaccinations and link through to their online booking system or phone number to make the appointment.

The GB clinics taking part in Phase 1B are:

– Allambie Medical Clinic

– Avalon Family Medical Practice

– Belrose Medical Centre

– Darley Street Medical Centre, Forestville

– Dee Why Family Medical Centre

– Dee Why Medical Centre

– Gateway Medical Centre, Mona Vale

– Sydney Road Family Medical Practice, Balgowlah

– Warringah Medical and Dental Centre, Brookvale

The Australian Government COVID Vaccine Clinic Finder website is open for phase 1B of the vaccination program. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Mr Hunt said that appointments on the service finder will increase as general practices establish their systems and supplies of vaccine.

“More appointments will become available as more clinics come on-board,” he said.

“People will still be able to book their vaccine appointments directly at a participating general practice – as they do now, for instance, to get a seasonal flu vaccine.”