Delays and long waits hinder NSW Covid-19 jabs rollout

NSW vaccination rates have recorded only a modest uptick since Gladys Berejiklian called for an increase over the month of ­August, with progress being ­stifled by lengthy waiting periods.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

NSW vaccination rates have recorded only a modest uptick since Gladys Berejiklian called for an increase over the month of ­August, with progress being ­stifled by lengthy waiting periods at some clinics and access points, confusing residents and causing them to delay getting a jab.

The state recorded more than 84,000 vaccinations on Tuesday, according to figures released by the federal government, only slightly higher than the 82,000 doses reported on Sunday – with the increases reported mostly at GP clinics and primary care sites managed by the commonwealth.

At state-run vaccination hubs, daily inoculation rates have remained relatively unchanged in recent days, hovering between 24,000 and 26,000 doses, as they have since late July.

According to numerous accounts provided to The Australian, people seeking vaccinations through a GP or medical centre have experienced lengthy delays across the city, with bookings for AstraZeneca requiring six to eight weeks of waiting in some regions.

Health officials insisted operations remained efficient at state-run vaccination hubs, with delays of no more than a few days, although they said people seeking AstraZeneca may be eschewing this option to discuss the vaccine with their doctor.

The need for additional vaccination hubs has led NSW Health to reach out to ClubsNSW and seek permission for the use of its facilities as pop-up sites, including The Acres Club in the southwestern suburb of Greenacre, where jabs will be provided this week.

“The clinic will run for three days (Thursday to Saturday) and no appointment is necessary,” the club said on its Facebook page.

“Free AstraZeneca vaccines are available for people 18 years and over; we encourage you to come and get your jab.”

It will then reopen in six weeks time to administer second doses, The Australian has been told.

Labor MP Adam Searle said there were significant delays of up to eight weeks in accessing both the Pfizer and AZ vaccine in the locked-down Blue Mountains ­region, with local pharmacies not yet approved to provide ­supplementary services.

There are at least 49 pharmacies administering vaccinations in southwestern Sydney, where the virus is concentrated. However, this number is expected to rise to 293 chemists across Greater Sydney by the end of the week.

NSW recorded 233 fresh cases of Covid-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday and two deaths, including that of a 27-year-old man from Sydney’s southwest who ­officials confirmed had no underlying health conditions.

The man was isolating at home and receiving routine check-ups from NSW Health. ­Officials said his condition deteriorated suddenly and rapidly as he entered day 12 and 13 of his quarantining period.

The second death involved a woman in her 80s who died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

More than half of the cases ­announced on Wednesday remain under investigation for their source, with 68 of them known to have been infectious while they were in the community.

The isolation status of a further 73 cases is being checked.

Asked why infection numbers remained high after six weeks of an ongoing lockdown, NSWs chief health officer Kerry Chant, said the answer lay with the number of people infectious in the community, and also with some residents not obeying the rules.