With COVID-19 vaccination rates across St George and Sutherland Shire rising, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District has now turned attention to ensuring vulnerable members of the community have easy access to the jab.
Pop-up, walk-in clinics have begun operating from this week, with priority given to people from vulnerable groups. No appointment is necessary.
Caringbah Senior Citizens Centre is hosting a walk-in AstraZeneca.vaccination clinic for anyone aged 18 and over today and tomorrow.
A special clinic will also operate this weekend at Stapleton Avenue Community Centre, Sutherland, and offer Pfizer vaccinations for Aboriginal people and their household members who are aged 12 and over.
SESLHD chief executive Tobi Wilson told the Leader earlier this week that while health authorities were pleased with the rising vaccination rates across the shire and St George, it was time to look for ways to reach the vulnerable in the community.
Mr Wilson said that with vaccination rates on target to reach 85 per cent across the district, vaccinating the vulnerable population was now a priority of both NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant and the SESLHD.
"What we are planning on doing is having pop-up clinics that go into some of these areas for a week, and target everyone in the community who is vulnerable, then go back in three weeks and do it all again," Mr Wilson said.
"That way they do not have to worry about how they can get there and having to make an appointment. They can just walk across and get it."
With this in mind, SESLHD has taken its successful vaccination hub model and put it it work, with pop-up clinics operating at a number of locations in coming weeks.
"SESLHD is committed to providing COVID-19 vaccinations to everyone in our community and is opening pop-up clinics to ensure vulnerable groups have access to the vaccine close to where they live," a SESLHD spokeswoman said.
She said priority access to the Pfizer would be given to vulnerable people under the age of 60 who live in social housing, are experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, or anyone who has a disability or significant health problem.
The hubs will also offer the AstraZeneca vaccine to anyone else aged 18 and over.
The spokeswoman said there were now multiple options for COVID-19 vaccination in SESLHD, including NSW Health vaccination hubs and pop-up clinics, GPs and pharmacists.
"NSW Health vaccination options in the St George and Sutherland Shire area include hubs at St George Hospital and Hurstville Aquatic Centre, and a range of short-term pop-up clinics at various sites," she said.
And while "supplies of the Pfizer vaccine from the federal government are limited" she said NSW had "ample supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine" and urged everyone to get the jab.
"Thank you to the St George and Sutherland Shire communities for embracing vaccination," she said.
"In doing so, you have taken an important step to protect yourself, your loved ones, the community and our healthcare workers."
Where to get the jab
Pop-up (walk-in) clinics will operate in the St George and Sutherland Shire on the following dates and times, with priority given to people from vulnerable groups. No appointment is necessary.
Caringbah Senior Citizens Centre, 376-382 Port Hacking Road, Caringbah; September 13-17, 10am-4pm. Open to anyone aged 18 and over for AstraZeneca.
Caringbah Senior Citizens Centre, 376-382 Port Hacking Road, Caringbah; October 11-15, 10am-4pm, for Pfizer.
Stapleton Avenue Community Centre, entry on Belmont Street, Sutherland; September 18-19, 10am-4pm. Aboriginal people and their household members aged 12 and over for Pfizer.
Club Rivers, 32 Littleton Street, Riverwood, September 20-24 and October 18-22, 10am-4pm. Open to anyone aged 18 and over for Pfizer.
Rockdale Town Hall, 448 Princes Highway, Rockdale, September 27-October 1, 10am-4pm. Open to anyone aged 18 and over for AstraZeneca and Pfizer.
St Matthews Anglican Church, 1331 Botany Road, Botany, September 20-24 and October 18-22, 9.30am-3pm. Open to anyone aged 18 and over for Pfizer.
PCYC Eastern Suburbs, 26A Bunnerong Road, Daceyville, September 13-17 and October 11-15, 9.30am-3pm. Open to anyone aged 18 and over for Pfizer.
