NSW PREPARES FOR VACCINE ROLLOUT ACROSS THE STATE

Sydney (Tribune International, NSW Govt Release, 27  Feb 2021): Five major vaccination hubs and 99 regional satellite sites will open progressively across NSW starting from Monday, 15 March, as the COVID-19 vaccination rollout stretches across the State.

These vaccination hubs and satellite sites will initially focus on frontline healthcare and border workers, and will eventually be followed by a wider rollout of the vaccine to the general public through the GP network.

The five major hubs and their linked satellite sites will open progressively from 15 March through to April and will be located at:

• Newcastle Hospital
• Wollongong Hospital
• Wagga Wagga Base Hospital
• Coffs Harbour Hospital
• Dubbo Hospital

The vaccine will be dispatched from the hubs to the satellite sites.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it has been great to see the enormous enthusiasm from those receiving and giving the jabs.

“NSW is on track to achieve its goal of more than 35,000 vaccinations in the first three weeks with thousands of frontline workers already receiving their first doses thanks to excellent work of our NSW Health staff in the three initial hubs,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said it’s fantastic the rollout of the vaccine will be expanded into regional NSW, now including major hubs in Coffs Harbour, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.

“Regional NSW has endured a myriad of impacts from COVID-19 and with the vaccine now on its way, we will have the confidence and assurance we need to live fully and remain open for business,” Mr Barilaro said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said rolling out vaccinations to frontline staff in the regions is the next step to ensuring they are protected against COVID-19.

“Wollongong and Newcastle are particularly significant because we have frontline staff meeting overseas freighters arriving at ports and those staff obviously are at higher risk than others,” Mr Hazzard said.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the expansion is a major boost for the state’s frontline healthcare workers, especially those in regional NSW.

“An important aspect of the continued rollout is ensuring everyone at risk of COVID-19 has access to vaccination as close to their homes as possible,” Dr Chant said.

REGIONAL VACCINATION HUBS AND SPOKES

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