New Pfizer vaccine appointment spots for 16-39 year-olds in Darwin snapped up in minutes
Vaccination appointments have been booked out in a matter of minutes after NT Health opened up additional spots for 16-39-year-olds.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
VACCINATION appointments have been booked out in a matter of minutes after NT Health opened up additional spots for 16 to 39-year-olds.
NT Health on Friday announced on Facebook that more jabs were available across the Territory thanks to an increased supply of the Pfizer jab.
But a mere 35 minutes after the post went up, residents in Darwin in the 16-39 age bracket were barred from reserving a spot, with the Territory’s vaccine booking website saying no more appointments were available.
Darwin resident Matt Wyatt, 38, said he booked in immediately after one his colleagues told him there more jabs up for grabs.
“I jumped on it as soon as I found out more vaccinations were available and I was lucky to get a spot for August,” he said.
“But by 1pm my friends were telling me there were no more bookings, which was really frustrating for them.”
NT Health refused to say how many additional appointments were made available to the age group in Darwin but pointed to a strong demand for the Pfizer jab as soon as the announcement was made.
“In Greater Darwin, 1265 Covid-19 vaccine bookings were made in the first hour, with most of these done through the online booking system,” an NT Health spokesman said.
“A further 8500 vaccines will be delivered over the next seven weeks.
MORE TOP NEWS
One man’s deadly vision helping indigenous people
Changes to make NT government tender process easier for local businesses
“The Northern Territory is leading the nation in the vaccine rollout with 120,231 doses administered.
“The best way for Territorians to book their Covid-19 vaccination appointment is by booking online at coronavirus.nt.gov.au.”
More than 22 per cent of eligible Territorians are now fully vaccinated.
It comes as the NT government earlier this month opened a new mass vaccination centre for Greater Darwin residents.
While the mass vaccination clinic is delivering up to 200 jabs a day at present, NT vaccine lead Dr Bhavini Patel said that number would increase as more Pfizer vaccinations became available.
“We’ll be able to flex up to greater numbers into September and October,” she said.
Elderly woman successfully fends off handbag thief
A 76-year-old woman has fought off a teen who tried to steal her handbag outside a shopping centre.
Barkly grog fiend knocks partner out then kicks her flush in the face
A Tennant Creek man who assaulted his partner twice, the second time knocking her out cold on a public street then sinking his foot into her face, has avoided jail after counsellors found he was mending his ways.