Pop-up vaccination clinics for Merriwa and Muswellbrook

AS the state heads towards 70 percent vaccination rates and the lifting of some restrictions, David Layzell, member for Upper Hunter said he was concerned some local communities could be left behind due to problems accessing the vaccine.

“I don’t want any of our communities left behind, I want to help all of our communities reach 70 percent and I understand there have been issues in accessing the vaccinations, so we want to give people every opportunity to make it as simple as possible,” said David Layzell.

“Getting the walk in clinics happening has been community led and it really has been a team effort with Councils, GPs, the federal government and community groups like Rotary,” said Mr Layzell.

Two areas with the lowest rates are Muswellbrook and Merriwa, have now been prioritised for walk-in vaccine clinics in the community, thanks to a team effort from local GPs, Councils and community organisations like Rotary.

Muswellbrook:

• Is scheduled to begin on September 11 at the Muswellbrook Indoor Sports Centre.

“People can just walk in, bring your Medicare card and your driver’s licence (or identification),” he said.

“This will serve as the first model, which we can then roll out in other areas,” he said.

“In Muswellbrook they have been giving 700 vaccinations each week at the hub, the pharmacies have been doing 700 and the GPs have been doing 2,500 per week, so it’s an incredible effort and the walk-in clinic will mean even more people can get access,” David Layzell said.

Merriwa:

• The final details are being decided for the Merriwa walk in clinic.

“We are just finalising a few things, we have the Council, GPs and federal government on board, we’ve found a venue and we are just finalising things,” said David Layzell.

“There is only one location to get the vaccine in Merriwa at the moment and they have done an incredible job managing to get more than 1,000 vaccinations out,” he said. 

“I’ve asked that Merriwa be moved up the list as a priority for vaccination supplies and they will be getting the next deliveries, as a priority area and I’m continuing to work with Federal Health and Hunter New England Health to see that happen,” he said.

“They need another GP there to help with the process and we are getting that organised,” he said.

“I’ve also had calls from people in the Merriwa area asking if they can travel to ADF clinics in Coolha and Mudgee and the answer is yes.

“I’ve spoken to my counter-part over there and they have assured me nobody will be turned away, so for those people who want to travel and get their vaccinations before the walk-in clinic in Merriwa is set up, they can do that,” he said.

“Our hubs also won’t turn anyone away, we’re not too worried about people coming up from Newcastle, because they have the Belmont hub where they are giving 10,000 vaccinations a day, so they have plenty of access and have no need to travel hours up the road,” he said.

“The community is doing an incredible job and we are all working to make sure that all of our communities reach 70 percent,” David Layzell said.