Changes to nations vaccine rollout don’t phase Earl Street Surgery

Despite a national vaccination rollout plagued by confusion and delay, the Earl Street Surgery team in Narrogin is looking to get on with the job as they continue vaccinating high-priority groups.

More than 5 per cent of Australians are fully vaccinated with the national vaccine rollout experiencing significant delays.

Australia is the worst-performing country in the OECD for fully vaccinated adults with many experts pointing the finger at the Federal Government.

In recent weeks, contradictory health advice has been given by Federal and State governments.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the AstraZeneca vaccine would be available to under-40s, dependant on a discussion with their GP.

But days later, Premier Mark McGowan advised West Australians that under 60s should not ask their GP for AstraZeneca because of blood-clotting risks. However, Earl Street Surgery’s vaccination rollout has been consistent, according to practice business manager Eileen Lloyd.

“Our rollout has been tracking along really well and consistently so,” Ms Lloyd said.

“We’ve pretty much had full clinics each and every week since commencement, with only the odd cancellation or no-show here and there.”

Earl Street received their first Pfizer shipment two weeks ago and held their first vaccinations last week. Earlier this month, they also started to give the second round of AstraZeneca to high-priority groups.

“We have very deliberately opted for a soft opening approach and refrained from any active promotion of our vaccination clinic since day one,” Ms Lloyd said.

“We were one of the first GP clinics to be approved as a Pfizer clinic and have already received our first shipment of Pfizer vaccine.”