Great Ocean Road Health starts COVID-19 vaccinations

Gwen Foord (left) receives her COVID-19 vaccination in Lorne. Photo: GREAT OCEAN ROAD HEALTH

THE coronavirus vaccine rollout is extending down the Great Ocean Road, with Great Ocean Road Health now offering the jabs in its catchment area.

Last week, Gwen Foord, an aged care resident at Lorne Community Hospital, was the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as part of Phase 1A of the national rollout.

Several healthcare frontline staff in both Lorne and Apollo Bay were also vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine.

“We are working closely with the Barwon South West region Public Health Unit to plan logistics for the vaccine’s rollout over the coming weeks,” Great Ocean Road Health chief executive officer Sandy Chamberlin said.

Phase 1B of the vaccine rollout began on Monday this week, and Great Ocean Road Health says its Apollo Bay and Lorne medical centres will both start the AstraZeneca vaccinations in late April.

“With only 50 doses arriving each week for the 1A and 1B groups, we anticipate a slow start but please be assured everyone who wants to be vaccinated will have the opportunity to do so,” Great Ocean Road Health said in a statement.

“Vaccinating our catchment area is something we are dedicated to delivering at Great Ocean Road Health and we promise to keep you up to date with the latest information and vaccine advice.”

Groups eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1B are elderly adults aged 80 and over; elderly adults aged 70-79; other healthcare workers not yet vaccinated; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 and over; younger adults with an underlying medical condition, including those with a disability; and critical and high-risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing.

For more information about the vaccine rollout in and around Lorne and Apollo Bay, head to greatoceanroadhealth.com.au/services/coronavirus-information or follow Great Ocean Road Health’s social media posts.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccines, go to health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines.