Over 5000 Tasmanians will receive a free vaccination this weekend as part of the response to recent cases of meningococcal W disease in the New Town, Moonah and Glenorchy areas.
A public vaccination clinic is being held today and tomorrow at the Derwent Entertainment Centre for the Tasmanian Government’s expanded meningococcal A, C, W and Y vaccination program.
The free clinic is on today from 9am to 7pm, and tomorrow from 9am to 6pm, and I am pleased to advise Tasmanians have heard the call to vaccinate. Pleasingly, both days were fully booked but vaccinations are proceeding faster than initially expected and extra spots are now available.
I encourage anyone who can attend to go online and book one of the extra places by registering at www.trybooking.com/XGZJ. If you need assistance booking, call 1800 093 758. You also must bring your Medicare card to complete your consent form on the day.
A second free vaccination clinic will be held on Saturday, August 18, and Sunday, August 19, at the DEC. Bookings are not yet open for this clinic.
Public Health Services advise they will deliver over 5000 vaccinations over each weekend. People who live, go to school, or work, in the New Town, Moonah and Glenorchy areas are being prioritised for vaccination, and public vaccination clinics for other areas of the state will be organised as part of the three-month vaccination program.
Anyone aged from six weeks to under 21 is eligible for a free vaccination under the Government’s expanded program, including at these clinics.
An extra 6500 doses of the ACWY vaccine were distributed last week and the Government has ordered a further 90,000 doses to ensure adequate supply statewide.
Posters and brochures are also being widely distributed this week to GP clinics, pharmacies, childcare centres, schools, councils and Service Tasmania branches in order to raise public awareness.
It remains important for the public 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 be showing symptoms of meningococcal disease should seek emergency medical care.
Further information is available online at http://www.health.tas.gov.au or via the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.