COVID-19 vaccination – Disability provider alert
Dr Lucas de Toca with an important message for people in Greater Sydney
Dr Lucas de Toca, COVID-19 Primary Care Response First Assistant Secretary, recorded an important message for people in Greater Sydney. It is important to stay home unless you are:
- shopping for food or essential items
- seeking medical care, including getting vaccinated
- exercising
- providing essential work or education.
This video was recorded on 12 July 2021. On 14 July 2021, the New South Wales Government extended the lockdown restrictions for Greater Sydney until 30 July 2021.
More information is available at: http://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Advice from ATAGI about the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the context of an outbreak of the COVID-19 delta strain.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (ATAGI) has provided advice about the use of AstraZeneca in the context of the COVID-19 delta strain outbreak. The advice states that anyone who has received an AstraZeneca vaccine more than 4 weeks ago should arrange their second dose as soon as possible.
ATAGI has also reinforced its earlier advice that the benefits to people aged 60 or over of being vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine strongly outweigh the risks. Vaccination is essential for this group in the context of an outbreak.
ATAGI also recommends adults under the age of 60 who do not have immediate access to the Pfizer vaccine should consider the benefits and risks of earlier protection through the AstraZeneca vaccine.
This recommendation is in the context of an outbreak increasing the risk of people contracting COVID-19 – and therefore the increased benefit vaccination provides.
Arm yourself against COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccines protect you and your community from serious illness caused by COVID-19. Vaccines are available to all disability support workers and to people with disability. If you are eligible you are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Find your nearest vaccination clinic through the eligibility checker.
How eligible people with disability in a group residential setting can get a COVID-19 vaccination
If you are under 60 years old you can:
- Go to a GP and get a Pfizer vaccination
- Go to a Pfizer Commonwealth vaccination clinic
- Go to a state or territory run Pfizer vaccination clinic
- Get a Pfizer vaccination at your residence by a GP or Commonwealth Vaccination Provider
If you are 60 years old or over, you can:
- Go to a GP and get an AstraZeneca vaccination
- Get an AstraZeneca vaccination by a GP at your residence
- Go to an AstraZeneca vaccination clinic
- Get a Pfizer vaccination at your residence by a Commonwealth Vaccination Provider
How disability workers can get a COVID-19 vaccination
Vaughan and Raelene get their COVID-19 vaccinations
Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs recently shared Vaughan and Raelene’s experience getting their COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaughan works at Life Without Barriers and Raelene receives supports from Life Without Barriers in Newcastle. Vaughan and Raelene are in Phase 1 of the vaccination program and received their vaccine at Life Without Barrier’s Newcastle Provider hub recently. Vaughan shared that as a support worker this is 'just what we have to do to keep people safe'. For Raelene, Life Without Barriers were able to offer her another choice to receive the vaccine in a way that was more accessible for her. Claire says “Vaccinations are our way through COVID - we need to work together now more than ever.”
Priority vaccinations for disability workers, carers and persons with disability commencing Monday 19 July 2021 in Western Australia
Between Monday 19 July and Sunday 1 August (inclusive) disability workers, persons with disability and their carers can attend any state-run vaccination clinic in Western Australia without an appointment to receive their COVID-19 Vaccination. This includes persons in phase 1a, and phase 1b. Any person aged 16 years and over who falls in this cohort is eligible.
Please register on VaccinateWA or by calling 13 COVID (13 26843) prior to attending the clinic. This will make the process at the clinic quicker, but an appointment is not needed between Monday 19 July and Sunday 1 August.
People aged between 16 to under 60 years will receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. People aged 60 years and over will receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
People working in the disability sector will be asked to provide evidence of their employment. This includes photo ID, payslip, or letter from their employer. Please do not arrive without this.
It is preferable that carers and persons with disability bring documentation to support their eligibility in this cohort. This is not prescriptive and may include any format such as official letter, medical paperwork, NDIS plan, or NDIS portal screen shot for example.
Different COVID-19 vaccines are available on different days at state-run community vaccination clinics. More information about which vaccines are being administered is available at https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/COVID19vaccine
When you arrive please go to the priority lane. If there isn’t one, please let the administrative staff know you are a disability care worker, carer or person with a disability.
Please note you may have to queue for a short time during busy periods. Staff will be doing their best to get you vaccinated as soon as possible.
Make sure to arrive at least an hour before the clinic is due to close. People arriving close to closing time may be asked to return the next day.
From Monday 2 August disability workers, persons with a disability and their carers can book priority access appointments through VaccinateWA (or by calling 13 COVID).
Persons working in aged care also have priority access at any state-run clinic effective from 9 July if they cannot book an appointment to get their first vaccination prior to mid-September.
