By Alesha Capone
With several pharmacies across Wyndham now offering free COVID-19 AstraZeneca jabs for adults, residents are being urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The state government last week announced that anyone aged 18 to 39 years old who provides informed consent will be able to receive the vaccination.
The expanded access to AstraZeneca follows advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), in an effort to get Victorians vaccinated faster.
The ATAGI has advised two doses of AstraZeneca reduces the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 infection by at least 67 per cent and the risk of hospitalisation by 92 per cent.
Charmain Anthony from Lowe’s Amcal Pharmacy in Werribee said the business was open for both vaccination appointments and walk-ins between Monday to Friday from 9am-4.45pm.
Miss Anthony, a pharmacist manager at the Watton Street chemist, said that the AstraZeneca vaccination was available to everyone aged 18 and older.
As well, Miss Anthony said someone who has received their first AstraZeneca jab at a vaccination clinic or GP’s office could get their second booster shot at a pharmacy.
“We are telling all our customers, we are providing it in-store and if you want, you can have it now or make an appointment and come back later,” she said.
“If they have already been vaccinated, we are asking them to spread the message to family and friends.”
Miss Anthony said the vaccination process did not take long, and that people should bring their Medicare card and photo ID with them.
She said that after filling out a couple of forms and chatting to an immuniser to make sure they were suitable for AstraZeneca, the vaccination would be injected in less than two minutes.
Although serious reactions to AstraZeneca are extremely rare, every Victorian who has a vaccination is required to wait for 15 minutes before leaving a pharmacy or clinic.
Everyone getting a vaccine should discuss existing medical conditions with a doctor or pharmacist beforehand.
Wyndham mayor Adele Hegedich said the council was hoping to see as many residents as possible get vaccinated.
“We know that the vaccine is our ticket out of this pandemic,” she said.
