News

Echuca-Moama GP clinics struggle to keep up with increased COVID-19 vaccine deliveries

By Charmayne Allison

May 18, 2021

Already strapped Echuca-Moama GPs are struggling to keep up with weekly COVID-19 vaccine allocations, as the Commonwealth ramps up AstraZeneca deliveries.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Clinics that initially received 50 doses per week have had their stocks tripled, while practices allocated 100 doses a week are now receiving 200.

Echuca Medical Centre is set to receive its first boosted delivery of 150 shots next week.

But the clinic is already snowed under with its current 50-dose allocation.

“We're finding it really tough,” the centre's administration officer Anita Dixon said.

“We're currently vaccinating our under-70s on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.

“But we've started booking in the mornings too, because it's not just COVID vaccines — we've got to do the flu vaccine as well, plus other immunisations.”

While the clinic's one nurse is responsible for administering the jabs, the vaccine program is also draining time from the centre's GPs.

“Because our nurse is fully booked up, our doctors are having to do their own care plans,” Ms Dixon said.

“Plus all patients need to be checked by a doctor before they can be vaccinated. It's just a quick check, but it takes up time.

“It's putting a huge strain on our resources.”

As of Monday, GP clinics are able to administer the AstraZeneca shot to anyone over 50 as part of the Commonwealth rollout.

But while it's been flat out at Echuca Moama Family Medical Practice's two sites, Dr Claire Goodman said the clinic was managing the vaccine rollout to date.

This was largely due to GPs working extra days and overtime to meet demand.

“We're really fortunate, we've had lots of contracting part-time doctors working extra to help out,” Dr Goodman said.

“That's included after hours, during a lunch break or on a day they wouldn't normally work.”

But she said time would tell how the clinic would cope with the increased deliveries.

“We're hoping to keep up,” Dr Goodman said.

“But now (Echuca Regional Health) has a vaccination clinic open as well, that will help.

“We've had good patient uptake, which is the most important thing.”

The practice is currently running vaccination clinics from Monday to Friday, with times varying depending on GP availability.

Where medical centres formerly had to accept any Commonwealth vaccine deliveries they were allocated, they can now request smaller batches if needed.

“So we will order based on demand,” Dr Goodman said.

All practices are fitted with proper vaccine fridges, meaning storage isn't an issue.

And clinics are doing whatever they can to streamline the rollout of the precious vaccine, which is contained in multidose vials.

“We have a waiting list, so if there are cancellations, we call people in so as not to waste any shots,” Dr Goodman said.

Once drawn, a dose needs to be used within six hours, but if a vial is unopened, it can keep in a fridge for up to six months.

Other Echuca-Moama GP clinics offering the jab include Rich River Health Group, Njernda Medical Centre, Meninya Medical Centre and Moama Health Clinic.

GPs have delivered more than 1.5 million coronavirus shots to date, accounting for more than half of Australia's vaccinations.