By Alesha Capone
Six medical centres in Wyndham are offering the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the national phase 1b rollout.
On Monday, staff at the six GP clinics – The Doctors Werribee, Hoppers Lane General Practice in Werribee, Westgate Medical Centre in Werribee, Wyndhamvale Health Care, Myhealth Point Cook and Palmers Medical Centre in Truganina – began administering the vaccination to eligible patients, or preparing to start vaccinations soon.
More than 280 other GP clinics across the state are also offering the vaccine as part of the phase 1b rollout, which will include senior citizens aged 70 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 plus.
Adults with some underlying medical conditions, such as chronic kidney failure, heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, severe obesity and some neurological conditions, are also eligible under the phase 1b rollout.
Clinical director of The Doctors Werribee, Dr Chamira Ranatunga, said the medical centre started rolling out the Astra Zeneca vaccine from Monday, with patients able to book using online or by phoning the clinic.
“We will be offering about 100 vaccines a week,” Dr Ranatunga said.
“This means we will be administering about 20-25 vaccines a day.
“Our clinic management is led by Mrs Harshika Ranatunga, along with fantastic staff, Erin and Katherine will be our nurses alongside a brilliant reception team.
“I personally believe we are capable of providing more vaccinations if we do receive more vaccines per week.”
Dr Ranatunga said The Doctors Werribee worked throughout the pandemic, managing patients’ concerns and illnesses.
“We feel extremely privileged to be able to offer this vaccine to our community,” he said.
“We believe this vaccine will be another step towards prevention of illness and I look forward with an open mind to be able to have the freedom we once cherished including overseas travel, while protecting our vulnerable members of the public.”
Dr Ranatunga said Astra Zeneca “has been successfully delivered through a large cohort of patients overseas”.
“Our clinic has no concerns about its safety as per the current information we have been provided by the governing bodies,” he said.
“Hence we are very confident to provide this vaccine.”
