Gold Coast COVID: Doctors urge patients to keep having AstraZeneca vaccine if over 50
Local doctors have weighed in on the risk of blood clots affecting Gold Coasters who’ve already had their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. READ THEIR MESSAGE
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DOCTORS say the risk of blood clots affecting Gold Coasters who’ve already had their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is “exceedingly low”.
It comes as the already embattled rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine was thrown into disarray on Thursday night when the Prime Minister put a ban on under 50s having the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now being recommended to adults aged under 50 years who have not already received the first dose of the AZ vaccine.
But those who’ve had their first dose of AZ without any serious adverse effects can be given their second dose.
On Friday hundreds of people across the city were denied the AZ vaccine and the Gold Coast University Hospital, the only place in the city with the Pfizer vaccine, was inundated with people wanting an appointment.
On social media, Gold Coast Health (GCH) advised that the hospital was only vaccinating people in the phase 1a and 1b categories who already had appointments.
“We are not currently making new appointments for Gold Coast residents, so please do not ring the hospital to make an appointment,” it said.
GCH said locals with appointments for the AZ vaccine at GPs on Saturday and Sunday, and who’ve had the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, without any serious adverse effects or blood clots receive get the second dose as planned.
“If you have an appointment to receive your first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, please discuss the benefit-to-risk balance with your GP before your jab to make the best decision to you.”
Haan Health GP Dr Kat McLean, who is administering the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Upper Coomera Respiratory Centre, said the Commonwealth’s quick response should reassure Gold Coasters that their safety was of top priority to governments.
“This decision should give people more faith in the vaccination progress,” she said.
“GPs are already risk assessing patients before giving them the vaccine, so patients really have nothing to worry about. The risk of adverse effects is exceeding low.
“My advice to those under 50 we’ve already had the AZ vaccine is that 199,999 out of 200,000 people notice nothing more than a sore arm and perhaps a fever for a day or so, this is their body developing immunity.
“But if you get severe persistent headaches or other unusual symptoms between four and 20 days after, you need to see your GP.”
Dr McLean said the Pfizer vaccine could be stored safely for two weeks in “normal” freezers and in the fridge for five days, meaning it was possible for local GPs to administer it safely.
Heather McLellan-Johnson, managing director of Medical on Miami and the Burleigh Cove Respiratory Clinic said most locals would not be affected by the news because the vaccine rollout was still only in phase 1b stage.
“If we break it down, indigenous Australians over 55 are allowed to have this and should not be affected, and we want them to continue to get it,” she said.
“Over 70s aren’t affected, they can continue on, but the people that are in question are health care workers under 50 and people who are immune compromised under 50, these are really the ones in question. Everyone else in 1b category appears to be fine to have the vaccination.”
Dr McLellan-Johnson said her clinic had been getting 1200 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine per week and it had completed 2400 doses.
'Significant risk': Fresh COVID fears for Coast holidays
April 1, 2021
DOCTORS warn there’s still “significant risk” of COVID-19 being transmitted throughout the Gold Coast community and are begging locals to stick to the rules over Easter.
They’re also calling for patience and kindness as reception staff bear the brunt of people frustrated by the slow rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine at some GP clinics.
Robina GP Dr Lisa Beecham said Gold Coasters had been lucky up until now with the virus, but reminded them that Australia was still in the middle of a global pandemic.
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Gold Coast on Thursday avoided an Easter lockdown, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirming the greater Brisbane restrictions would ease as planned after three days.
“Just because we’re not in lockdown it doesn’t mean there’s no risk, everyone needs to revert back to those strict health measures that were in place this time last year,” Dr Beecham said.
“Stay at home if you’re unwell, socially distance, wear a mask, wash your hands and for those vulnerable people, please take extra precautions and maybe don’t hug loved ones this Easter.
“Maybe host barbecues in open spaces on the deck not in a crowded indoor space.”
She said COVID-19 test results were taking up to 48 hours to be returned in some instances because staff at laboratories were working furiously to deal with the upswing of Gold Coasters getting tested.
Dr Beecham also encouraged eligible Gold Coasters to get the vaccine, saying people should have faith in it because it was the way out of pandemic.
“We know there’s frustration about supply issues, but the Gold Coast Primary Health Network has highlighted its concerns to the Commonwealth and are confident of a good outcome,” she said.
“Important, be kind to pathology staff who’ve cancelled Easter plans to work and be respectful to receptionists at medical centres, they are true warriors who are dealing with frustrated patients every day.
“Be assured that GPs are prioritising their elderly and vulnerable patients and they will be contacted when vaccines are available for them.”
There are also respiratory clinics at Upper Coomera, Burleigh, Hope Island and Nerang, with each of these receiving 1000 doses of the vaccine every week.
Dr Kat McLean, of Haan Health in Broadbeach, said while public health teams were doing an incredible job, there “is still significant risk” of COVID-19 being spread throughout the city.
“We need to be mindful that people may not develop symptoms and pass COVID-19 on to others, so ventilation is important,” she said.
“Make the most of our Gold Coast weather and spend time outdoors. Remember to always wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible and have windows open.
“COVID likes to spreads inside poorly ventilated areas. And remember, test, test, test — that’s our insurance policy. Testing numbers must stay high.”
Heather McLellan-Johnson, managing director of Medical on Miami and Burleigh Cove Respiratory Centre, said her respiratory clinic would resume COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday and return to normal hours from Tuesday.
“We need everyone to keep to the rules so we don’t delay getting back on our feet,” she said.“Staff are completely exhausted and will be having a much-needed break over Easter.”
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