As of Monday this week, the AstraZeneca vaccine is available to everyone aged 18 and above at all 50 of the state\u2019s vaccination hubs.<\/p>\n
People aged in their 40s, 50s and 60s are eligible for Pfizer at all state hubs.<\/p>\n
The increased access is part of a push to deliver one million vaccine doses to Victorians in five weeks, announced by Premier Daniel Andrews at the weekend.<\/p>\n
The RACGP is also urging patients to receive both COVID-19 vaccine doses from the same vaccinator.<\/p>\n
The college\u2019s request follows comments from the Queensland Government earlier this month urging people to receive their first vaccine from their GP and their second in a pharmacy.<\/p>\n
RACGP president Dr Karen Price said mixing up vaccine providers did not make sense.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to get as many vaccinations done as soon as possible to combat this virus,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf people opt to receive their vaccine from their GP or at a pharmacy, that is their choice. We need to ramp up our vaccination numbers so that must be the number one aim.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, it is vital that all people receive both vaccine doses from the same vaccinator.<\/p>\n
\u201cContinuity of care and patient safety must always be paramount, so receiving your jab from the same GP or pharmacy is the best option.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that some communities are facing issues in terms of vaccine stock being available, but mixing and matching vaccinators will not resolve this problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo please, get your first and second doses from the same vaccinator and play your part in keeping the community safe from harm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pharmacy Guild national president Adjunct Professor Trent Twomey said the most important thing was for people to get vaccinated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is that vaccination is the way out of the COVID-19 crisis,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd there is no wrong way to get vaccinated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no wrong door to enter to get your vaccination<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no wrong vaccine to get.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd increasingly the evidence is highlighting that there is no need for anyone to delay getting their vaccination while awaiting another brand as all are extremely effective.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy message and that of all pharmacists and their fellow vaccinators is: \u2018Just get vaccinated. If you\u2019re over 18, get the vaccine\u2019.<\/p>\n
Mr Andrews said the most important thing people could to was to come forward and get vaccinated, to protect not just themselves but the people they love.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting to 70 to 80 per cent [vaccinated], that is what we have to work towards and these one million jabs over the next five weeks are the best way that Victoria can make a contribution, not just to our state\u2019s fortunes, but to our national strategy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Andrews expects 60 per cent of Victorians will be vaccinated by the end of September.<\/p>\n
For a full list of vaccine eligibility criteria, head to the Coronavirus Victoria website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Pharmacy Guild are urging all Australians to get vaccinated against COVID-19. As of Monday this week, the AstraZeneca vaccine is available to everyone aged 18 and above at all 50 of the state\u2019s vaccination hubs. People aged in their 40s, 50s and 60s are eligible […]<\/p>\n