Confusion reigns on boosters as vaccination clinics close for Christmas
Confused yet? Vaccination clinics will be closed for a Christmas-new year break, but they also are giving mixed messages on exactly who should get a booster shot.
SA News
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The drive to get the population vaccinated is taking a Christmas-new year break as major SA Health clinics close down.
Wayville’s last appointment of the year is on December 20 before it reopens 14 days later, on January 4. Other clinics are having similar breaks.
The shutdown comes despite expensive advertising campaigns and regular exhortations from leaders ranging from Premier Steven Marshall to chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier about the important of vaccination and the drive to have at least 90 per cent of the eligible population vaccinated to further reduce restrictions.
There is also considerable confusion on SA Health bookings sites about exactly who should get the booster shot.
The Wayville booking site states: “ATAGI recommends a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine as part of the primary course ONLY in individuals who are severely immunocompromised. Please check your eligibility for a third dose.”
But the Noarlunga booking site states: “You are only eligible for a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine if you are 18 and over and you have completed your primary Covid-19 vaccine course (ie. for most people, received a second dose of Covid-19 vaccine) more than six months ago. For more information on eligibility, please refer to the Department of Health website.”
SA Health’s own website advises that: “Covid-19 vaccine booster doses are recommended to maintain immunity against the virus.
“All people aged 18 and over who have had their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at least six months ago are eligible for a Pfizer Covid-19 booster dose.
“Anyone can receive their booster dose at SA Health vaccination clinics and participating GPs, pharmacies, and respiratory clinics.”
A statement from SA Health says: “Our vaccination clinics are in the process of updating their systems to provide more availability for third doses and boosters; we anticipate more appointments will be available shortly. In the meantime, eligible people can walk into one of our many walk-in clinics to receive their booster dose.
“Planning is underway for vaccine clinic opening hours during the Christmas period.”
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Originally published as Confusion reigns on boosters as vaccination clinics close for Christmas