Hunter residents experiencing difficulties securing appointments at the Belmont mass vaccination hub are asked to stay patient and not give up.
The former Bunnings site reopened on July 19 as a NSW Health COVID-19 Vaccination Centre. While many have been able to get their jab at the new centre and have reported a seamless process, many others have expressed frustration about glitches in the online booking system.
Hunter New England Health’s Facebook page carries a range of comments about the hub.
“(I) was there this morning. Outstanding customer service. Quick and easy. A lot smoother than the first dose at JHH. Well done to all involved,” one satisfied customer said.
But others were frustrated that they were unable to make a booking for the second jab and therefore could not complete the booking process for either vaccination.
“If it’s imperative that we all get vaccinated why is it so difficult to get an appointment? You can choose a first jab but no appointments for a second,” another person said.
Lead of the COVID-19 response for Hunter New England Health Elizabeth Grist said the team was pleased the community was following Public Health advice and seeking a vaccination as soon as possible but that patience was required.
“There is currently significant demand for appointments at our vaccination centres, including the Belmont Hub,” Grist said.
“We appreciate the patience of our community and we encourage anyone who has not been able to secure an appointment to regularly check the eligibility checker as more appointments become available.
“Please be assured that everyone who wants to be vaccinated, will be vaccinated, as the Australian Government makes more supplies available.
“We want to thank the community for its understanding and patience.”
Grist said that “the centre is currently providing Pfizer, and AstraZeneca will be available in coming weeks”.
“The many GPs across Greater Newcastle are providing AstraZeneca vaccine. We encourage people to speak to their GP or visit the online eligibility checker for information on where to access it,” she said.
The new centre at Belmont includes a waiting room that can hold 200 people, an observation room for 300 people, 35 vaccination bays, and the capacity to vaccinate up to 20,000 people a week.
The centre can employ up to 100 nurses, 25 pharmacists and around 200 other support staff.
To check your eligibility and to book a vaccination, visit the NSW Government website.
HNE Health has reiterated the need to make a booking in order to guarantee vaccination and to make sure a COVID-19 Safety Plan is followed on the ground.
WHICH VACCINE IS FOR YOU?
At the time of print, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommended the Pfizer vaccine as the preferred vaccine for those aged 16 to 59 years, and that the AstraZeneca vaccine could be provided to people aged 18 to 59.
If you are aged 40 or over you are eligible for vaccination. The NSW Government’s online eligibility check will guide you to find the most suitable clinic and to make a booking.
If you are aged between 16 and 39, you may be eligible for vaccination, and the eligibility check will help you find out if you are.
People under 16 years are not able to be vaccinated at this stage.
Gina Cranson
making an appointment from this site would be a good idea. computing systems are connected, surely you have people in your system who can do that. I have tried to make an appointment for a relative through the system only to be informed not eligible for pfizer, wasn’t asked which jab I was wanting. Are we really encouraging people to get vac if the system is so………….