Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith announced people between the age of 40 and 49 are now eligible to be vaccinated. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Canberrans between 40 and 49 can now book in to get the Pfizer jab from the Garran vaccination clinic as the ACT Government expands the vaccine’s rollout.
More than 60,000 Canberrans have now become eligible to get the jab under the new phase.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith encouraged Canberrans to get their vaccination as soon as possible but acknowledged that not everyone who is now eligible will be able to access the clinic straight away.
The government was in a position to offer more people the opportunity to get the jab now as so many high-risk Canberrans had been vaccinated.
The announcement from ACT Health came a day after the ACT eclipsed 100,000 vaccine doses.
The clinic’s online booking system will operate on expanded hours from today (3 June) to handle the increased demand, while extra staff and an updated call back system will also be in place.
The phone booking line will be available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, seven days a week, on 02 5124 7700.
People can also book online using the ACT Government booking system, MyDHR.
NSW has allowed people between 40 and 49 to register to become vaccinated since mid-May. Last week, Victoria announced the same age group would be eligible for the jab as well.
Canberrans over the age of 50 became eligible to receive their jab a month ago as the vaccination rollout was rejigged because of rare blood clots linked to the AstraZeneca jab.
This prompted the government to bring forward this age group as Pfizer stocks were put aside for vulnerable people under the age of 50.
Those under the age of 50 will need to book into the Garran vaccination clinic to receive their Pfizer shot. However, Canberrans under 50 can still receive the AstraZeneca jab from their GP if their doctor believes that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks.
For more information about COVID-19 and the vaccine’s rollout in the ACT, please visit www.covid19.act.gov.au.
Original Article published by Dominic Giannini on The RiotACT.
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