Medical centre buys new fridge, hires more staff in preparation for rollout

A Toowoomba GP service has started preparations for the arrival of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was approved for use by the country’s Therapeutic Goods Administration yesterday.

ROLLOUT READY: Ochre Medical Centre Wyalla GP Harish Rangappa says he’s excited about the start of the vaccination rollout. Picture: Nev Madsen

Ochre Medical Centre Wyalla has applied to the government to become one of the city’s COVID-19 vaccination sites, helping deliver Phase 1b of the rollout.

GP Dr Harish Rangappa said the centre was “ready to go,” thanks to the addition of more staff and the purchase of another fridge for vaccine storage.

Dr Harish Rangappa and enrolled nurse Toni Coad inspect the new vaccine fridge at the Ochre Medical Centre Wyalla. 16th Feb 2021 Picture: Nev Madsen

“It’s exciting, this is one of the biggest vaccination programs in our time,” Dr Rangappa said.

“(As GPs), we will likely help with the second phase, Phase 1b, which is likely to start around mid-March.

“We haven’t started contacting patients over the phone yet, but we will once we know the exact date we are getting the vaccine.”

Dr Rangappa said it was likely GP services would be provided with the AstraZeneca vaccine for Phase 1b, with the alternate Pfizer branded jab to be distributed in Phase 1a.

The AstraZeneca vaccination requires a two dose schedule.

“All of the vaccines are safe and their efficacy is equal, they’ve been tested to the highest standards by the TGA," he said.

“I feel very safe in administering and taking the vaccine myself and I’m encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.

“It plays a huge role in herd immunity, which is the key to nipping it in the bud.

“The more people we get vaccinated, the quicker we can get herd immunity.”

With government approval imminent, Dr Rangappa said the vaccination clinic would be run as a separate service by the medical centre.

He said it was unclear whether this service would be based within the practice.

“Most of the doctors in Toowoomba are well prepared, as are their clinics,” he said.

“I expect everyone will kick in and be on top of things (when the program starts).

“People are welcome to talk to their own GPs about the vaccination rollout or visit the COVID-19 government website.”