Brisbane only option for second Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination after Queensland Health bungle
Receiving the first Pfizer Covid-19 jab was no problem for Gold Coast Bulletin columnist Ann Wason-Moore, but now it's all gone terribly wrong. Here's what happened.
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WHAT I need is a shot in the arm … instead I’ve copped a kick in the pants.
Three weeks ago I was pflaunting the pfact I’d received my first Pfizer jab. Sure it was just one small needle for one small woman, but the implication was enormous.
As a nation, it felt like I was bringing us one tiny step closer to reopening our borders. As a person, I was one step closer to reuniting with my overseas family and friends.
Best of all, after all the drama of botched vaccine rollouts, interstate bickering and clotting catastrophes, it was just so simple.
On the very first day that over-40s were eligible for immunisation, I waltzed into the Albert Waterways Community Centre, gave my details and pfive minutes later I was chilling in the post-jab lounge, complete with a complementary Chupa Chup.
But now, it’s all gone terribly, horribly wrong.
While at the time I had no side-effects save a sore arm, I now have a sore head trying to figure out how on Earth I’m going to get my second injection on time.
Because it turns out that finding availability for my Pfizer pfollow-up is like finding a (hypodermic) needle in a haystack.
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See, as I exited the community vaccination centre, I was issued a piece of paper advising me to call Queensland Health’s 134 COVID on June 16 and to book an appointment for my crucial second vaccination anywhere between June 23 and July 14 – the essential three to six-week window that ensures the first jab didn’t go to waste.
I was told not to call any earlier, and that if I checked my emails the government would actually reach out to me to make sure I booked on time.
Well, that email never arrived. So on June 16, I rang the number.
After waiting on hold for over an hour, I gave up. Trying again and again until, at last, at 6am on Sunday, I finally reached a human voice.
That kindly Queensland Health worker then advised me that oops, no appointments are available on the Gold Coast until the very end of July. I was offered two options: start the process all over again, or travel to Brisbane.
I mean, are you serious? I can’t find the time to get my groceries done, let alone travel up the M1 for my promised vaccine.
Sure, my inefficient scheduling is not the government’s problem … but their inefficient scheduling sure is mine.
Just how many other Gold Coasters are in this position?
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What a freaking mess, what a waste of precious Pfizer, what a waste of my precious time. It’s just another example of how this country has completely stuffed up the vaccination process.
While I expressed my displeasure to that poor woman on the 134 COVID line (I was very polite, I understand it’s not her personal fault), she had little consolation to offer.
“They should have advised you on the day to contact us immediately,” she said, offering information that would have been really helpful three weeks ago.
“You can always check on the online system when you go through your portal to see if any availability comes up,” she said, to which I responded … “huh?”
“Oh that’s right, you’re a walk-in, you’ll need to figure out how to register on the portal. You definitely are a priority booking since you’ve already had your first injection.”
Sure, lady. Really can’t say I’m feeling like a priority.
And to add insult to injury (and possibly infection), apparently they’ve now belatedly realised the error of their ways … although that’s no help to the hundreds of us on the GC who placed our trust in the system.
My husband received his first jab on Sunday, whereupon they immediately booked his follow-up. His nurse explained this was a new system that’s just been introduced – since they realised there were difficulties rebooking.
Worst of all, his appointment is on July 13, the day before my first dose effectively expires.
Honestly, it does not take a genius to figure out that booking a second vaccination appointment on the day of the first is a sensible – nay, essential – step.
After all, why bother setting up a Gold Coast vaccination centre if they’re not going to ensure that we can see the process through on the actual Gold Coast?
The best advice I’ve received so far came from a GP, who suggested I just rock up to Albert Waterways and tell them I have an appointment.
When staff can’t find my name, I simply blame the system.
Sadly, it’s all pfar too believable.
Vaccine breakthrough: Two Coast locations for under 50s to get jab
May 27, 2021
LOCALS under 50 will soon be able to get the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination at Haan Health in Broadbeach and Upper Coomera after the federal government approved Dr Sonu Haikerwal as an approved provider.
Dr Haikerwal is expecting 250 doses to arrive next week and expects to start administering the Pfizer vaccine from June 7 from the Upper Coomera Respiratory Centre and her Broadbeach GP clinic.
She’s hoping to eventually receive 1000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine weekly.
“Anyone 18 or over can have this vaccine and we’re urging all those that want to get vaccinated to come forward, whether it’s for the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccination,” she said.
It comes as GPs across the Gold Coast noticed an increase in people choosing to be vaccinated in the wake of Victoria’s Covid outbreak and subsequent seven-day lockdown.
Dr Kat McLean said she’d noticed an increase in uptake in people having the vaccination.
“It’s mostly from people with close connections to Victoria,” she said.
COVID vaccine Gold Coast: Who is eligible and where to get it
ALL Gold Coasters over 50 are eligible for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination, with plenty of supply across the city.
Locals can ring their GP to make an appointment, book online to attend a respiratory clinic or visit a temporary clinic at Albert Waterways in Broadbeach clinic where appointments aren’t required.
The city’s four respiratory clinics provide vaccinations for anyone 50 and over who don’t have Medicare Care, a regular or a GP participating in the rollout. These clinics are located at Burleigh Waters, Upper Coomera, Hope Island and Nerang.
The Albert Waterways COVID-19 Vaccination Centre for locals 50 and older is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 7am-2.45 and from 9am-4.45pm on Thursdays. It’s closed on the weekend.
Vaccination can take up to 45 minutes, but delays can be expected so your patience and understanding are appreciated. If vaccines appointments aren’t available on the day, staff will offer an alternative time and date, patients need to bring their Medicare Care cards.
For Gold Coasters under 50, and who meet eligibility criteria for phase 1a or 1b, it’s a matter of booking an appointment to attend the Gold Coast University Hospital Pfizer hub.
To check your eligibility and for bookings and vaccination locations, visit covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility or call the national coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccination helpline on 1800 020 080 or check with your local GP.
If you have any respiratory/cold/flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny/stuffy nose, fatigue or lack of taste or smell or a range of other symptoms, including vomiting, nausea or diarrhoea, you should get tested.
Testing options across the Gold Coast include:
* Respiratory Clinics at Burleigh Waters, Upper Coomera, Hope Island and Nerang.
* General Practitioners, with telehealth consultations may be available to discuss symptoms.
* COVID-19 testing centres at Gold Coast University and Robina hospitals, run by Gold Coast Health,
* Pathology testing centres offer tests, but a GP referral is required.
Click here for COVID-19 testing clinics across the Gold Coast.
'No time to wait': Gold Coasters urged to get COVID jab
ANXIOUS health experts are urging Gold Coasters to immediately get their COVID-19 vaccination as fears grow the virus may soon spread north from Victoria.
“There is no time to wait, it’s time for action,” said Dr Tanya Unni, who runs Amtan Medical Centres with husband Dr Ameer Hamza.
They have eight GP clinics across the northern Gold Coast and are desperate to bump up vaccination rates.
“Now is the time for everyone to get vaccinated, while we are in control and have no cases, because as soon as we do it will be panic stations and we'll be inundated,” she said.
“This (Victorian outbreak) is a big wake-up call for us, I wish we didn’t have to wait for this wake-up call for people to realise how important it is to get vaccinated right away.
“If this isn’t a wake-up call then I don’t know what is.”
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Dr Unni said patients should ask their GP for information around vaccines because they were the experts in regards to risk factors.
“Don’t self diagnose or dismiss the AstraZeneca vaccine because of what you’ve seen on the news,” she said.
“Fingers crossed more Gold Coasters get vaccinated and we can be a little bit more relaxed.
“There’s no time to wait, we must be proactive and we must act now.”
'MASSIVE RISK': GOLD COASTERS URGED TO GET COVID JAB
GOLD Coasters holding back from getting the COVID-19 vaccination are increasingly rolling up their sleeves as Victoria’s cluster grew to 34 active cases on Thursday.
GP Dr Roger Halliwell said anecdotally his colleagues had noticed an increase in patients wanting to have the vaccine, particularly in the past day or so.
“We imagine this demand will grow significantly, particularly after news out of Melbourne that there’s 10,000 contacts, of which many may be spread all around the nation by now,” he said.
“It’s a massive risk, so here on the Gold Coast we need to keep our testing rates up, people need to stay away from work, schools and daycare if they’re not well and stay home until they are symptom free.”
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Dr Halliwell said if there was an outbreak “in our part of the world, it will be as equally painful as for Victoria, facing a seven-day lockdown”.
Testing clinics remain open at Gold Coast University and Robina hospitals, as well as respiratory clinics across the city. Doctors are also continuing telehealth consults for patients with respiratory symptoms.
“It’s even more crucial now that Gold Coasters get their COVID-19 vaccination,” he said.
COAST GP BLASTS 'SELFISH' ANTI-VAXXERS
DOCTOR Sonu Haikerwal is heartbroken, exhausted and discouraged.
“I’ve lost several close family members to COVID-19 in India, and yet here I am on the Gold Coast battling a sense of entitlement and privilege from those who think they don’t need to be vaccinated,” she said.
Three weeks ago her cousin died in virus-ravaged India, while four of her best friend’s lost their dads to COVID-19.
Every day she receives news of another death. More than 3500 are dying from COVID every day in India.
“We can’t selfishly protect our bubble and think we’ll be OK, the borders will reopen and COVID will be here, and we won’t be safe until everyone has had the vaccination,” she said.
“Everyone who has put their hand out for JobKeeper must put out their arm for the vaccine.”
The former president of the Gold Coast Medical Association has been at the frontline of the city’s community response, setting up a respiratory clinic testing for COVID-19, and now operating a vaccination clinic.
Haan Health’s Upper Coomera Respiratory Clinic can administer 1000 doses a week of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and in a coup for Dr Haikerwal, next week she will be offering the Pfizer vaccine.
She’s been told by the federal government she’ll get 250 doses — she wants 1000.
“Gold Coasters must roll up their sleeves, put their trust back into the GPs who have been giving them vaccines for years,” she said.
“We are best placed to know which one (COVID-19 vaccine) is right for them. Heck, we’ve been giving different flu vaccines to people under 65 for years and we’ve never been questioned.”
Dr Haikerwal said Prime Minister Scott Morrison should be on the news every day thanking those who’ve had the vaccine.
She also wants governments to work together, saying it was the only way to combat vaccination hesitancy, with polls showing one-third of Australians are not willing to have the jab.
“Just because we live far away from places where thousands of people are dying every day, let’s not pretend it’s not going to come here,” she said.
“We should be ashamed of ourselves, Australians are being left overseas to die while we sit here and turn our noses up at a vaccine that will save lives.
“Every one must roll up their sleeve as soon as possible, there’s no need for delay or to wait for enough vaccine, it’s safe, it’s effective and it’s free.”
Dr Haikerwal’s plea is echoed by Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Dr Omar Khorshid, who says getting the COVID vaccination is the only pathway back to a more normal life.
“To date, there have been over 160 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide and a death toll exceeding 3.3 million people. It is not sustainable for Australia to rely on international border closures, restrictions, and potential lockdowns to protect the community from COVID-19,” he said.
He said the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was used in 139 countries and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in 90, and evidence from the hundreds of millions of doses delivered showed they were protecting people from serious illness, hospitalisation and stopping the spread of COVID-19.
AMA Queensland president Prof Chris Perry said the AstraZeneca vaccine was safe for people over 50, with the benefits vastly outweighing any risks.
“Blood clot risks remain very rare but talk with your GP about your individual health needs if you have concerns.
“COVID is coming when our borders open. It’s just a matter of when and the only way to protect yourself and your family is to be vaccinated.”
To find the nearest place to have a COVID-19 vaccination on the Gold Coast visit here or contact your local GP clinic.
Massive wait for COVID tests at Coast clinic
August 25, 2020
GOLD Coasters are waiting up to three hours for COVID testing as fears the cluster in Logan and Brisbane may creep south towards the glitter strip.
On Monday a 42-year-old Broadbeach mother said her son woke with a sore throat and as a precaution she left work to take him to the nearest pop-up clinic at Albert Waterways Community Centre.
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“We got there at about 11.30am and by the time the line inched forward and we were seen it was 2.30pm,” she said.
“When we got there staff were amazing and apologised and said they had been there all day and had not been able to take a break. One joked to the other that she’d had some lollies so she’d be fine but her colleague told her she had to eat at least a sandwich,” the mother said.
“They were very lovely and polite but there were only three of them and there’s a nurse that comes to the line and takes your details, checks your temperature and another who sits and puts data into a computer and confirms and updates your details.”
“It’s such an outdated system, there’s got to be a better way, even swiping your Medicare cards so all your details come up, it seems such a slow way of doing this.”
Her son’s father presented at the same clinic at 9.20am today and there were already seven people in front of him.
“He only went there because he tried the Carrara Markets drive-through clinic but was told he needed a GP referral and so was turned away,” the woman said.
“There needs to be more people there testing, especially as more people are worried about the cluster in Logan and Brisbane.
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“A friend visited me on Sunday and she had been in that area, and all it takes is one person for it to spread.”
The mother said, despite the lengthy wait, she was given a negative result with 24 hours.
It comes as no new cases of the virus were reported overnight, with more than 8000 tests conducted.
However it was revealed the first case linked to a coronavirus cluster in Brisbane’s south contracted the same strain of COVID-19 as a young woman who returned to Logan from Melbourne.
ANXIOUS WAIT FOR COAST’S ELDERLY
HEALTH officials are preparing for the likely outbreak of COVID-19 in aged care facilities across the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Primary Health Network chairman Dr Roger Halliwell confirmed that Gold Coast Health officials had visited some 63 facilities across the city.
“There’s a real possibility there'll be cases at aged care facilities, but in terms of pre-emptive measures, health departments are working hard to stop them from occurring,” he said.
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“But if there is an outbreak in residential aged facilities, directives have been put in place that require Gold Coast Health staff to take over residential aged care facilities, in terms of managing the whole process.
“Nurses and doctors will take over and essentially make it as safe as possible given the circumstances.”
The updated Aged Care Direction, imposed by Queensland Health (QH), states that all residential aged care facility operators must limit their staff working across multiple facilities.
Those who continue to work across multiple facilities must wear a face mask at all times.
The changes also requires operators of aged care facilities to develop a Workforce Management Plan that requires staff to notify them of their additional workplace.
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Mr Halliwell said some 63 facilities throughout the Gold Coast local government area had been visited by health officials and been involved in forward planning.
“It’s also about ensuring GPs can continue to visit and that patients have access to their medication in the instances they’re in lockdown,” he said.
“There’s a high probably there will be an outbreak at an aged care facility on the Gold Coast, either through a worker or just a young visitor who seems fit and well but passes on COVID to his grandmother.”
“So it’s imperative that everyone in the aged care sector is prepared.”
A Queensland Health spokesperson said under the new directives, the department now had the ability for an emergency health officer to give a direction to an individual facility.
“We will continue to review and update these directions as required to ensure the health and safety of our most vulnerable Queenslanders,” she said.
Emily Toxward
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