This week, Karen Carter pharmacies in both Narrabri and Gunnedah started administering AstraZeneca vaccines to local people.

The shot is free to receive and will be injected into the individual’s non-dominant arm.

Karen Carter says the green light for regional pharmacies has been given just in time.

“We’ve been waiting for the go-ahead to administer the vaccine, and it’s come at a crucial time given the COVID-19 situation in neighbouring regions such as Dubbo and Walgett,” she said.

“I strongly encourage Narrabri shire residents to consider getting vaccinated for their own safety, and that of people around them.”

AstraZeneca appointments at Karen Carter can now be booked online for Monday-Friday time slots.

“We ask people book via the website, just so we can keep up with demand and ensure we’re getting as many people vaccinated as soon as possible,” Mrs Carter explained.

“Once we open a vile of the vaccine, the 10 shots it contains needs to be used within six hours, so it helps to have those appointments lined up instead of relying on walk-ins.”

“We’re easily meeting that 10-person target, which is great to see.”

The local pharmacists will go through the A-Z of the vaccine, before giving you the jab, to ensure every patient is making a well-informed decision.

The professional staff will walk through the COVID-19 vaccination consent form with you, which includes information about AstraZeneca, what to do on the day of vaccination and a consent checklist.

The pharmacist administering the jab will also explain what to expect after getting vaccinated, including some of the common side effects.

Common symptoms, which a variety of people experience after receiving AstraZeneca, include pain/swelling/tenderness/warmth/redness/itching at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, nausea, fever/chills, feeling unwell and joint pain.

Medical professionals assure that these side effects are completely normal and are a good indicator that the vaccine is working.

Less common symptoms to look out for include enlarged lymph nodes, pain in limbs, dizziness, decreased appetite and stomach pain.

If you experience any of these after getting vaccinated, pharmacists advise you consult a doctor or visit the hospital as it could be an indicator to the rare blood clot response.

“The blood clotting you’ve heard of, Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, is very unlikely,” Mrs Carter reminds concerned locals.

“And it’s easily treatable if detected early, so we just ask you keep an eye out for those side effects. If you experience severe/persistent headaches, blurred vision, difficulty with speech, weakness in

the face or limbs, confusion, unexplainable rashes or bruising, seizures, shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent abdominal pain, leg pain or swelling, call 000.”

As an extra safety precaution, Karen Carter is asking locals to wait in store for 15 minutes after getting vaccinated.

Serious allergic reactions usually occur within this first 15 minutes but are extremely rare.

Karen Carter also reminded residents that the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are equally effective at

reducing ICU admissions, provided you get both your first and second doses.

“Your first shot will need to be followed up with a second one, 12 weeks after, to ensure you’re not as seriously impacted by COVID-19 if you happen to catch it,” Mrs Carter said.

“Our team will discuss this second vaccination with you, when you visit the pharmacy for the first shot, and book in a suitable date and time.”

Local GPs are still administering vaccines, but Mrs Carter hopes her pharmacy can help share some of the onus.

“We can help get the local population vaccinated faster, which gets us one step closer to herd immunity,” she said.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said in a press conference earlier this week that he’s pleased with regional vaccine numbers so far.

“We’re not seeing much of a disparity between the number of vaccinated people in regional and metropolitan populations, but it’s important to keep that trend up,” he said.

You can book appointments for either the Narrabri or Gunnedah pharmacies online.

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