BOOKINGS are no longer needed at Bathurst's primary COVID-19 vaccination clinic as health officials strive to reach all residents.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Western NSW Local Health District chief executive Scott McLachlan said the clinic on the Charles Sturt University campus would still be taking appointments but would also now accept "walk-ins".
COVID-19 clinics in Dubbo and Orange will also start accepting walk-ins to help further boost vaccination rates across the district.
The move came as Bathurst's rate of first-dose vaccinations climbed above 90 per cent on Monday with about 75 per cent of the adult population now fully vaccinated.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
"I'm really proud of how well our communities have responded to the need to be vaccinated, but there is still a way to go to ensure we have the maximum possible protection against COVID-19," Mr McLachlan said.
"Some people prefer to book an appointment into their schedule so that option will continue to be available. Making the clinics available to people on demand however will also help reach even more people.
"Work or family commitments can sometimes get in the way, but these clinics are open seven days a week so we'd encourage those people head down during their lunch break or over the weekend to get their vaccines.
"In the coming weeks we expect to see an increase of visitors to our communities as the state reaches the target of 80 per cent of the population having had both doses of vaccine and regional parts of the state are once again open to Greater Sydney.
"I'd encourage anyone who hasn't yet had their vaccines to take the opportunity now to get vaccinated, before that influx of visitors happens."
The Bathurst clinic is open daily from 9am-5pm with both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines available.
AstraZeneca days are Mondays and Wednesdays, with Pfizer being available Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
"COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be very safe, and extremely effective in stopping people becoming very sick, or even dying, from the virus," Mr McLachlan said.
"They also help reduce the rate of transmission of COVID-19 to other people, further protecting our communities and healthcare system."
Meanwhile, Bathurst recorded a single new case of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, but the person had not been infectious in the community.
The new case was a household contact of a previously identified case and had been quarantining at home.
There are currently just 12 people across the Bathurst local government area receiving treatment for COVID-19 while four people have been released from care in the past seven days.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.westernadvocate.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News