Eligible Tasmanians in all regions who haven’t yet received their free meningococcal ACWY vaccination are encouraged to do so.
Bookings are now open for a second free public clinic at the Derwent Entertainment Centre this weekend, with the clinic expanded to people from within a wider area.
New Town, Moonah and Glenorchy are still the target areas of the Public Health response to recent cases of meningococcal W disease in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
However, Tasmanians aged from six weeks to under 21 who live, work, study or spend significant periods of time in suburbs from Lenah Valley to Granton are also able to attend this weekend’s clinic at the DEC.
The clinic will run from 9am to 7pm on Saturday and 9am to 6pm on Sunday. Bookings are essential and details are available at www.health.tas.gov.au.
More than 5,000 people received a free meningococcal vaccination at the first clinic at the DEC and Public Health is expecting to see a similar amount this week.
The public response to the expanded program has been excellent, and already more than 43,000 vaccines have been distributed around the state.
Public clinics will also be held in the North and North-West in October.
However, there is no need to wait for a clinic – eligible Tasmanians in each region can receive their free vaccination from their GP or one of the many authorised pharmacist immunisers.
It is still important to be aware of the symptoms of meningococcal disease, such as fever, severe headache, severe muscle pain, and quickly becoming unusually unwell. Late in the illness, there can be a rash. Infants can be lethargic, floppy and feed poorly.
Anyone who is concerned they may have symptoms of meningococcal disease should seek emergency medical care.
Further information is available online at www.health.tas.gov.au or via the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.