COVID-19 vaccine supplies increase across south-west

In Warrnambool, South West Healthcare will run a Saturday clinic this coming weekend.

The mass vaccination clinic on Merri Street will open its doors to offer AstraZeneca to eligible people on August 21.

The AstraZeneca vaccine will be available by appointment only to 18-39 years and to walk-ins aged 40 years and over.

WARRNAMBOOL COVID NEWS:

SWH also asks people check their emails, including their junk mail section for Pfizer waitlist updates.

It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Thursday Australians aged between 16 and 39 will be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine from August 30. He urged people in that age range not to attempt to book their vaccinations just yet.

Meanwhile, Glenelg Shire residents have more access to COVID-19 vaccinations with extra doses being delivered to Portland District Health's community clinic each week.

PDH COVID vaccination program executive sponsor Claire Holt said there will now be a clinic every Friday and regularly on Saturdays, allowing up to almost 500 doses to be administered per week.

The PDH vaccination clinic is now open for regular appointments each Friday. Every three weeks it will offer Pfizer vaccines, with AstraZeneca on the other two weeks.

Saturday clinics will also be scheduled regularly in coming months, with dates still to be confirmed.

READ MORE: Where to get a COVID-19 vaccine in south-west Victoria

The waiting list for Pfizer has been reduced from more than 800 to about 600 and Mrs Holt expects the backlog to be cleared within three months.

"More Pfizer will be flowing into the system and we are currently sorting out future dates," she said. People on the wait-list will receive direct invitations to book in.

"We expect to receive close to 500 doses of vaccine each week and PDH will provide weekly updates on its website and Facebook page of clinic times."

Ms Holt said people should check the government site for Portland dates and also refer to PDH's social media for updates on clinic times.

She added the centralised system was running more smoothly but anyone with difficulties could contact vaccination.pdh@swarh.vic.gov.au with your preferred date and time.

PDH is also supporting the `Roll Up Your Sleeve' campaign by the Committee for Portland encouraging people to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of the virus, reduce lockdowns and keep businesses open.

Next vaccination clinics in Portland:

Western District Health Service has 1000 Pfizer and 400 AstraZeneca vaccines available next week.

The Hamilton service encouraged members of the community aged between 16-59 years and don't currently meet the Pfizer eligibility to register interest to be contacted when clinics open up.

There will be Pfizer clinics in Hamilton from Monday August 23 to Thursday August 26 between 10am and 5pm.

AstraZeneca clinics for people aged 18-39 years and 60 years and older who do not meet the eligibility criteria for Pfizer can get vaccinated in Hamilton on Friday August 27 and Saturday August 28 between 9am and 5pm.

To check your eligibility and book an appointment please visit: https://wdhs.net/v2/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/ or call 1800 313 021.

It comes as Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Thursday thousands of vaccine appointments are available across Victoria over the coming weeks, including over 20,000 this week alone.

Over the next week alone there 14,000 free Pfizer vaccine appointments and 12,000 AstraZeneca available for booking.

"There are literally thousands of appointments available over the next week and over the next five weeks as we look to get a million jabs in a million arms," Mr said.

New figures released yesterday shone more light on Warrnambool's vaccine rollout.

The region has taken the lead in the COVID-19 vaccine uptake, recording the highest number of first doses in Victoria.

Latest federal health data shows 57.9 per cent of the Warrnambool and south-west population aged over 15 have received their first jab, surpassing the entirety of Melbourne, Geelong and Bendigo.

In the past week the south-west saw the second fastest uptake of first doses, with 3.4 per cent of residents rolling up their sleeve, just behind west Melbourne (3.7 per cent).

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