The Western NSW Local Health District [WNSWLHD] has urged members of the community growing impatient with wait times for a COVID-19 vaccination to consider Astra-Zeneca [AZ] if possible.
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After the opening day of Bathurst's Australian Defence Force [ADF] walk-in clinic exhausted Pfizer supplies within the first hour, WNSWLHD chief executive officer Scott McLachlan said AZ vaccines are readily available for those eligible.
"AZ is the key to getting jabs fast-tracked at ADF clinics, so we encourage anyone to consider it as an alternative if they're having difficulty getting Pfizer," Mr McLachlan said.
"The AZ jabs are high-quality, safe vaccines, and right across the region, GPs, pharmacies, respiratory clinics and Aboriginal medical services also have a lot of AZ available."
"The best vaccine is the one you can get immediately, it is the best protection our communities have against COVID-19."
ADF clinics have been in operation across regional NSW for the last four weeks, and Bathurst's clinic is limited to 500 doses of Pfizer a day.
On Monday, a total of 718 people received a vaccine at the Bathurst ADF clinic, including 500 who received Pfizer.
Mr McLachlan said additional Pfizer doses are currently being sought for ADF clinics.
"We haven't received a final word yet, but I know there's a lot of consideration, particularly from the federal government, about how we can get extra Pfizer into the region," Mr McLachlan said.
Calare MP Andrew Gee said ADF clinics in Bathurst and Orange are expected to increase their Pfizer dosage capacity in the coming days after the federal government secured an extra 4.5 million vaccines from the UK and Singapore.
"The enthusiasm on show to get vaccinated is fantastic, and I'm thrilled Central West locals are taking advantage of the ADF pop-up clinics to shield themselves from the virus," Mr Gee said.
"A surge in dosage capacity will mean that a significantly greater number of people will be able to get their first dose."
The WNSWLHD recorded 27 new COVID-19 cases to 8pm on Monday.
Bathurst enjoyed its third-straight day of zero cases, but IGA Trinity Heights was listed as a casual contact location late on Monday [August 28, 7pm to 7.30pm].
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