A Thirroul GP clinic has flagged concerns for the safety of its staff, patients and the wider community following a surge in COVID-19 vaccine bookings from Sydney residents.
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Thirroul Medical Practice opened up online bookings for the Pfizer jab earlier this week, which put it on the Commonwealth's website of vaccine providers.
Practice manager Kerri Haines said that within one evening, they received close to 150 bookings from people in Sydney.
Out of concern that patients might unwittingly bring the virus to the Illawarra, Mrs Haines said they tried to cancel the bookings from Sydney, but copped some pushback.
Under the current health order, people are permitted to travel in order to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
"We understand everyone wants to be vaccinated, but where is the line to protect our staff and patients and our community?" Mrs Haines said.
However, she said many people were understanding of the clinic's position.
Mrs Haines said the clinic had since turned off online bookings, but once they had more vaccine stock they would have to open back up to everyone again.
The clinic has 150 doses this week and again next week, and will then have 300 doses available each week thereafter.
But with 2500 patients in the 40 to 59-year-old age group already, Mrs Haines said they simply could not vaccinate everyone immediately.
The region's primary health network, Coordinare, confirmed it knew of the issue.
"Coordinare is aware of the issue raised by Thirroul Medical Practice in relation to Pfizer vaccine appointments and is working to ensure existing patients and people who live in the Illawarra receive the vaccines allocated to the region," a spokesperson said.
An Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District spokesperson said that while people were allowed to travel to receive the vaccine, anyone experiencing even the mildest of symptoms - as in any case - should get tested immediately and isolate until they received a negative result.
The spokesperson said the ISLHD-run vaccination clinics had people declare whether they were experiencing any symptoms, were identified as a close or casual contact of a confirmed case, and had been to a venue of concern or hot spot.
NSW Health was approached for comment on the issue.
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