Covid-19: Frustration and anger after vaccine appointments cancelled at Belmont hub

Hunter residents are fuming they have had their Covid Pfizer vaccinations cancelled at the Belmont hub, with calls for them to be redirected back.

The Hunter is fuming, and it’s all over Covid Pfizer vaccines being taken away.

There’s calls for the NSW Government to reconsider, as doses are shipped to Sydney instead of the Hunter to administer to year 12 students sitting the HSC.

Hundreds from across the region recently received text messages from NSW Health that their Pfizer jabs had been cancelled at the Belmont mass vaccination centre, with around 40,000 vaccine doses being redirected from across the state.

Eleebana resident Sandra O’Brien had an appointment booked for August 19 and her second jab for September 10 after having to wait six weeks. Both were cancelled.

Sandra O'Brien from Eleebana one of many Hunter residents who had their vaccines cancelled at the Belmont hub. Supplied.

The NSW Government has advised vaccines will be redirected from Hunter to Sydney for HSC students.

Considered an essential worker, in the finance industry, Ms O’Brien also helps to look after her 85-year-old dad who has health issues, which makes it vital that she get vaccinated.

But she was one of the many who received a text message canning both appointments, and another text message to say she would soon receive a priority code to re-book.

That hasn’t happened as yet, leaving the 55-year-old single mum in doubt as to when she can get the jab.

“I haven’t received anything and every time you go to book there are no appointments,” she said.

“All my friends and colleagues at work are the same, we’re on a group work chat and we’ve been talking about the cancellations we’ve all received.”

Frustrated and angry about what the situation, Ms O’Brien said they had no right to take away her appointment when both the State and Federal Government are urging people to get their vaccinations.

“I got the booking and I waited so long for it, that booking belonged to me. I’m just as entitled to it as any other Australian citizen,” she said.

“Why do they have the right to go and do that, first of all they said the Belmont hub wouldn’t be touched and they lied about that and took everyone’s appointments, it’s not good enough.”

Many have waiting weeks to have their vaccinated at the Belmont hub only to have them cancelled. Supplied.

And being the mum of a year 12 student, she’s angry that Sydney kids get preference over kids in the Hunter.

“What consideration are our kids going to get in year 12, are they going to get any preferential treatment or anything,” she added.

“There’s so many things I’m cranky about on so many levels.”

That sentiment is all too comment with many taking to social media to vent, even essential workers whose appointments have also been cancelled.

“What about us aged care workers, we can’t work after September 17 if we haven’t had our first shot. No shot, no carers, who is looking after who,” one woman posted to Facebook.

It comes at a time when the State and Federal Government have been urging people to get their vaccinations. (Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

Others outraged Sydney students will get their vaccines instead.

“Students should be the last, what about the adult population that go to work to earn the tax,” said a Facebook user.

Newcastle Mayor Nuatali Nelmes she was “shocked” when she started getting messages from locals about vaccine cancellations.

“Hunter New England Health has worked very quickly to set up this vaccination hub for the region and to have most of the supply taken from the community here and given to Sydney without notice by the State Government has been exceptionally hard to take,” she said.

“The anxiety around the lockdown, the delta variant and now not being able to be vaccinated is just another blow for Novocastrians who have been doing their part to keep our community safe for over 18 months now.

“The Federal Government has failed to secure enough vaccines in a timely manner and this will cost lives and livelihoods.”