By Jeremy Sollars
Popular Warwick Hospital doctor Chris Hegerty rolled up his sleeve today as the first ‘phase 1a frontline health worker’ in the Southern Downs to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Senior Medical Officer Dr Hegerty said it was a privilege to be among the first to receive the vaccination.
“People throughout the Darling Downs have done a great job in helping to minimise the spread of COVID-19,” Dr Hegerty said.
“We need that to continue and being vaccinated is one of the easiest things we can all do to keep managing this virus.
“The importance of keeping our frontline medical teams healthy and protected from the severity of COVID-19 can’t be overstated.
“We need to stay fit and well to provide medical care to our communities and that’s why we’re here today to have our vaccination.”
Queensland Health has not yet provided a localised timeframe around when the general public in the Warwick and Stanthorpe areas can receive a vaccine.
The vaccine used today at Warwick Hospital was the AstraZeneca vaccine, the use of which has been suspended this week by several European countries – including Germany and France – after concerns over its potential to cause blood clots.
But Australia’s chief medical officer Paul Kelly today said there is “no evidence” the vaccine causes blood clots and said the rollout of the vaccine will be “monitored closely”.
This week Queensland Health confirmed four Queenslanders have so far experienced anaphylactic reactions to the AstraZeneca vaccine.Staff at Warwick Hospital – and later members of the public – will be monitored for 30 minutes after their jab for any reactions.
The AstraZeneca vaccine requires a second follow-up jab 12 weeks after the initial dose.
A number of rooms at Warwick Hospital have been specifically set aside for administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
A Queensland Health spokesman said the COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe, effective and is an important step to take to reduce the serious effects of COVID-19 in people who become infected with the virus.
“We will continue to vaccinate others in Phase 1a, including priority frontline health care workers, priority quarantine and border workers,” the spokesman said.
“Aged care and disability care workers and residents are also being vaccinated in Phase 1a however the vaccination rollout for this group is being managed by the Australian Government Health Department.
“All Queenslanders, will have their time to receive the vaccine.
“To view the roadmap visit: www.qld.gov.au/covid19vaccine”
