COVID jab confusion: Federal-funded clinics in Geraldton turning under-30s away for Pfizer shots

Commonwealth-funded GP clinics in Geraldton which have access to Pfizer doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are turning patients away after being told they will not be included in WA’s vaccine rollout to under-30s. The McGowan Government on Monday announced all West Australians in the 16-29 age group could now register to receive the Pfizer vaccine through State-run clinics. Geraldton Health Campus is the only local clinic where that age group can get their jabs, with more than 500 bookings received since Monday. In addition to this figure, 159 people in the age group had received at least one Pfizer dose as of Wednesday. According to WA Health, the average time between booking and receiving the first dose for these 159 people is 30.2 days, but this could vary because of appointment availability, individual schedules and other factors. The Midwest Respiratory Clinic can administer the Pfizer vaccine to people aged 30-59, but was advised it could not yet expand this service to anyone younger than that. Practice manager Holly Fawcett, pictured below, said staff had had to break the news to many under-30s who called to book a vaccination appointment on Monday. “It is so frustrating for patients trying to do the right thing and we are having to turn them away when we have got the stock,” she said. “We can fit people in tomorrow, we have appointments available that we can provide, but we can’t give it to the people that want it ... they have to be in that 30-59 age category. “They are being told ‘go out and get vaccinated’, but they aren’t able to, and we aren’t able to provide it.” Ms Fawcett said even she had been confused by the arrangement and there was a need for more clarity about WA’s vaccination program. “It doesn’t make sense, there are no clear rules or anything at the moment,” she said. A spokesperson for the Federal Department of Health said Commonwealth vaccination sites operated in line with the national eligibility criteria, which would be expanded “in time” once National Cabinet agreed. They said those younger than 30 could get vaccinated if they were in a priority group or if they chose to receive the AstraZeneca jab with informed consent. “Individual States and Territories may implement different eligibility criteria within their jurisdictions outside of the national eligibility criteria agreed by National Cabinet,” the spokesperson said. The Guardian spoke to some 20-somethings in Geraldton yesterday about their vaccination plans. Jade said she planned to get the jab, but had not booked in yet. “I think they’ll make it mandatory to travel,” she said. However, fellow under-30 Jace is against the jab, saying he and his mates would not be booking in. “Don’t think so. Most of them barely leave the house,” he said.