Three days of vaccinations will be held across Narrabri and Wee Waa in an effort to boost COVID-19 immunisation rates across the shire.

Wee Waa will host the clinic first, on Saturday at the Wee Waa Aboriginal Land Council, with a two-day Pfizer clinic to follow at The Crossing Theatre on Sunday and Monday.

A mass clinic administering AstraZeneca doses was due to be held in Narrabri on Saturday, however, the Royal Flying Doctor Service advised it had a supply of the sought-after Pfizer vaccine.

Supply of this vaccine has been limited across the nation, especially in regional areas, with waiting lists stretching months at some providers.

Narrabri Shire Council advised The Courier on Tuesday night of the new arrangements following last-minute talks held with the RFDS.

This weekend’s mass vaccination effort is in addition to the immunisation roll-out already happening across the town’s local medical practices and pharmacies.

While the RFDS has been in the area conducting clinics recently, this weekend’s vaccinations is not to administer the second round of those immunisations.

The service will return to the region to re-immunise people who previously were inoculated.

Inspector Robert Dunn, as officer-in-charge of the Narrabri sector, is the shire’s Local Emergency Operations Controller and plays a crucial role in this weekend’s massive vaccination effort.

Local police will ensure compliance with public health requirements, including social distancing.

While queues to receive the vaccinations are anticipated, Insp Dunn urged people to be patient.

“This is a massive undertaking. It’s something that has been put together at breakneck speed,” he told The Courier.

“We urge people to abide by the social distancing requirements.

“Please be patient with the staff and volunteers who will be there to operate the clinics.”

Narrabri Shire Council will be offering whatever resource is necessary to assist at the two clinics and has advocated for the need for a mass vaccination hub in the shire. The Rotary Club of Narrabri will also be involved in the weekend’s mass vaccination effort.

Mayor Ron Campbell held talks with federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and state Upper House member Sam Farraway in relation to a Narrabri ‘super’ clinic.

Mr Coulton and Mr Farraway collaborated with state parliamentarian Adam Marshall to pull the levers of government to enable such a measure.

The initial AstraZeneca clinic involved well-known Narrabri general practitioner Dr Rohana Wanasinghe.

Cr Campbell said council has been working behind the scenes to deliver any increased opportunity for the community to have timely access to vaccinations.

“Late on Tuesday, council was contacted by the RFDS which has supplies of Pfizer it is able to offer to the Narrabri Shire community,” he said.

“In consultation with Dr Rohana, the decision was made to cancel the AstraZeneca mass walk-in clinic advertised this Saturday and provide eligible members of the community an opportunity to access the Pfizer vaccine which will be available this Saturday at Wee Waa and Sunday and Monday at The Crossing Theatre, Narrabri.

“This is an opportunity to allow people of the Narrabri Shire to have access to receive a vaccination in a timely manner,” he said.

“It is important to increase vaccination rates across the community in line with the state and federal government road map out of restrictions.

“It is likely that vaccinated citizens will enjoy fewer restrictions going forward therefore, I encourage the community to consider taking up this opportunity this weekend.”

A further walk-in clinic will be provided to those receiving their first vaccination with the date for their next vaccination to be provided at the clinics.

Mr Coulton said he was pleased the RFDS has been able to offer this opportunity to the Narrabri Shire.

“The Narrabri community has been calling for this for some time and the RFDS has delivered,” Mr Coulton said.

“With COVID-19 now in the regions, it’s more important than ever to get vaccinated to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.
“I encourage all eligible people to go along and take advantage of this incredible opportunity.”

Mr Farraway said this is a timely opportunity for Narrabri Shire and encouraged locals to come forward and play their part in getting the vaccination rates up and the regions out of lockdown.

“Vaccinations are crucial to getting the regions out of this lockdown and returning life to some normality.”

Saturday’s Wee Waa clinic will operate from 10.30am to 3.30pm at the Wee Waa Aboriginal Lands Council, Rose Street.

Narrabri’s clinic at The Crossing Theatre will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday and from 9.30am to 2.30pm on Monday.

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