Since the vaccine was made available under phase 1b of the rollout, about 100 doses will be administered a week at the Omega Health Medical Practice, however many more have been added to a waiting list understood to be about two weeks long. Practice manager Laurel Mezei said as soon as the public became aware the practice was taking part in the next stage of vaccine rollout, the phones had not stopped. MORE NEWS Flights, FIFO suspended as PNG cases soarOne year on from Cairns’ first virus casePossible explanation for virus in Cairns sewage“As soon as 8 o’clock started in the morning it has been really busy, it has been quite crazy. So we appreciate people being patient,” she said.The Manunda practice had been allocated 80-100 vaccines a week, which are available to Australians over 70, Aboriginal people over 55, younger adults with an underlying medical condition and critical high-risk workers, including emergency services personnel. GP Melissa Hikila rolled up her sleeve on Tuesday to receive the jab. She said despite there having been no community transmission for months, the jab for many represented a return to normality after the pandemic turned lives upside down. “It has impacted everybody’s life in some way. Everybody’s life has changed and they can’t see their loved ones and do what they want to do. I think everybody is very keen for life to go back to normal,” Dr Hikila said. Though the Therapeutic Goods Administration had approved local production of the AstraZeneca jab, Dr Hikila said there was no word on when the Australian-manufactured vaccine would hit Far Northern clinics.Ms Mezei, surprised by the number of inquiries, said limited doses meant demand for the jab was far greater than available supply. “It’s very popular and it’s exciting to see so many people happy to have the vaccine done,” she said. She said hundreds of people had been forced on to the waiting list due to the practice having been allocated limited weekly doses. Referred patients from non-participating medical centres are required to bring a one-page health summary to prove they meet the phase 1b criteria. Ms Mezei said phase 2a of the vaccine rollout targeting people over 60 was expected to begin in October. “But, it’s hard to say because there is still quite a few people to go through phase 1b,” she said. Patients receiving the two-dose AstraZeneca jab will automatically be allocated a second appointment 12 weeks later for the second shot. Vaccine visits can be booked online through the downloadable EasyVisit app.INNISFAIL JABS BEGINThe COVID-19 vaccine rollout is now officially under way on the Cassowary Coast, with Innisfail Hospital starting to vaccinate its frontline health workers.Just four weeks after Cairns Hospital started vaccinating staff with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, Innisfail Hospital began rolling out the AstraZeneca vaccine on Wednesday. The AstraZeneca vaccine is much easier to implement more broadly for Queenslanders and can move beyond Cairns as it is not required to be stored in a specialised deep freezer.Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service allied health executive director Tania Cavanagh said the vaccine would be rolled out to frontline health workers in Innisfail Hospital this week, and then Mossman and Mareeba hospitals over the next few weeks.“Throughout the vaccination rollout, we will be offering vaccination to both health care staff and community members at each remote location,” Ms Cavanagh said.The vaccine is being delivered by trained immunisation teams at each health facility site.Innisfail Hospital Director of Nursing, Lesley Harris said she was proud to be able to stand up the facility to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.“Worldwide, we have seen first-hand how much of a difference vaccination against infectious diseases can make to keeping people safe and healthy,’’ she 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.



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