Narrogin’s Earl Street Surgery is asking for patience as they prepare for vaccine rollout

Narrogin’s Earl Street Surgery says the time line for starting the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout remains uncertain as the practice waits on its first 50-dose shipment.

Practice business manager at Earl Street Surgery, Eileen Lloyd, said although the practice aimed to start vaccinating people after Easter, there were simply too many factors “totally beyond our control” to be certain.

“The reality is, until we have the vaccines literally in our possession, we will not be promoting the vaccination clinic or making bookings,” Ms Lloyd said.

“People don’t realise that participating clinics will not be listed on the Health Direct website directory until literally just before they commence operating.”

Ms Lloyd said she understood many people in the community were anxious to receive their vaccinations but she asked residents to be patient.

“We are very fortunate here in WA that we have no community transmission of the COVID-19 virus, so the public are encouraged to be patient and to utilise their usual GP practice when accessing the COVID vaccine,” Ms Lloyd said. When it begins, the rollout will prioritise the highest-risk patients first — in accordance with Federal Health Department advice — with lower-risk patients coming after that.

“Initially, we will be focusing on our patients over 80 and then over 70 years of age, Indigenous patients over 55 years, and other adult patients with chronic underlying health conditions and/or disability,” Ms Lloyd said.

“This is not a race, and everyone will be provided with the opportunity to uptake in due course.

“We just need to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are taken care of.”

Ms Lloyd said patients should not contact Earl Street Surgery during these initial stages.

“We ask patients not to contact us regarding the COVID vaccination at this stage of the rollout, as we will be reaching out to our eligible patients directly by phone in the first instance,” she said.

“The one exception are patients who work in high-risk occupations and are also eligible for the vaccine under Phase 1A and Phase 1B of the rollout.

“These individuals will be required to contact us directly to discuss their situation.”