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Extra Clinics for COVID Booster Demand
Media release – Dale Webster, Commander, Tasmanian Vaccination Emergency Operations Centre, 14 December 2021
Extra clinics to meet booster demand
Extra vaccination clinics will be running this weekend in response to the increased demand for COVID-19 boosters.
State-run clinics have already delivered around 13,000 boosters and there are more than 8000 people booked in.
Federal vaccine advisory body ATAGI brought the timing for boosters forward by one month over the weekend.
The decision reduces the recommended wait time between the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and a booster from six down to five months.
This has meant almost a doubling in the number of people who have become eligible, with 57,000 Tasmanians now able to access a booster, and around 108,000 Tasmanians eligible by the end of December.
To support as many eligible people as possible to come forward for their booster shot before Christmas, extra clinics will be open in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport this weekend at:
- The Goods Shed, 41 Evans Street, Hobart – Sat 18 and Sun 19 December
- Door of Hope, 50 Glen Dhu Street, South Launceston – Sat 18 December
- The Don Centre, 100 Don Road, Devonport – Sat 18 December
The clinics will be open from 9am-5pm and will administer the Pfizer vaccine only.
A booster is the best way for you to maintain your immunity against COVID-19.
Boosters are also available at participating GPs and community pharmacies.
To ensure a COVID Safe environment you must have an appointment for your booster shot so please go to www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/vaccine or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to make your booking.
Media release – Dale Webster, Commander, Tasmanian Vaccination Emergency Operations Centre, 14 December 2021
Vaccination bookings open for Tassie children and people due for booster shots
Bookings are now open for people eligible for 5-month booster shots and for children aged 5 to 11 to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Following advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), appointments can now be made for booster shots for people five months after their second dose of the vaccine.
The wait time for boosters has been shortened from six months to boost immunity in response to increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant.
Boosters are available in state clinics and at participating GP and pharmacy clinics.
Bookings are essential at vaccination clinics as we transition away from walk-ins from Wednesday 15 December to ensure COVID-19 safe management of crowds and waiting areas.
However, there are thousands of appointments available over the coming week.
If you have a state clinic booking matched to six months you are invited to make an earlier booking but please remember to cancel your existing booking – this can be done online.
Parents can also now book appointments for their children aged 5 to 11 to get vaccinated at special children’s clinics across Tasmania in the New Year.
The choice to vaccinate children in this cohort – while strongly recommended – is entirely voluntary and will not be mandated.
Appointments are available from 10 January 2022, with the aim of giving every primary school aged child the opportunity to get at least one dose of the COVID 19 vaccine before they return to school in February.
Last week a smaller paediatric dose of the Pfizer vaccine was approved as safe and effective for children aged 5 to 11 by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
Children will get two doses, eight weeks apart – but they will only be available in special children’s clinics and GPs.
Bookings are essential for children’s clinics and children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
State Vaccination Commander Dale Webster said parents could now book their 5- to 11-year-olds in for vaccination to protect their children, their families and the wider community.
Although children are at lower risk of serious illness from COVID-19, we know children and young people experience some of the highest rates of infection and are one of the biggest social spreaders of the virus in households.
By getting vaccinated children will be less likely to pass the virus on to other more vulnerable members of your household.
Vaccinating primary school aged children will also make it less likely that children will experience disruption to their schooling, sports and other activities.
To find out more, including how to book, visit: https://www.coronavirus.tas.