A mass COVID vaccination centre has opened this morning in Wollongong city centre, however local health authorities concede there has been no increase to the region's supply of vaccine, and those looking for an appointment face a two-month wait until more of the drug becomes available.
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The Illawarra Shoalhaven Mass Vaccination opened Monday morning in the former David Jones building, taking in patients whose appointments were previously scheduled to take place at Wollongong or Shellharbour hospitals.
Together, those hospitals were administering 700 vaccinations daily.
While the new Wollongong centre has been touted as having an increased capacity of 2500 vaccinations daily, Caroline Langston, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District's executive director integrated care confirmed the site would provide a maximum 700 jabs daily, for now, due to restricted supply.
"As supply increases we will open up more times and more appointments," she said. "Currently the wait time is two months, but as soon as we get more vaccine we'll open that up, we'll operate seven days a week until 8pm at night once we have the vaccine."
The centre currently administers only the Pfizer vaccine.
Contrary to earlier announcements, the health district is also considering making the Astra Zeneca vaccine available from the Wollongong centre.
Ms Langston said it was undecided whether a previously flagged Shellharbour Astra Zeneca vaccination centre would still go ahead.
"As soon as we get more vaccine we'll be able to provide more time and we're also considering AZ from here so that will provide another opportunity."
In other key points from Monday morning's press conference:
- The centre operates by appointment only and does not accept walk-ins
- Staff keep a waiting list and by the afternoon call up names from this to make use of any vaccine likely to be leftover at day's end
- The centre is staffed by 200 nurses, pharmacists, medical, administrative support and concierge staff , some of them diverted from area hospitals.
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Angela Thompson
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
