Photo caption: More than 1,000 general practices and 100 GP-led respiratory clinics across Australia will join the COVID-19 vaccination program from Monday 22 March. Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton visited Orange Aboriginal Medical Service last week. It is one of the Aboriginal Medical Services involved in Phase 1B of the rollout.

Some of the most vulnerable people in the Parkes electorate will be able to start receiving their first COVID-19 vaccination from next week.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said more than 1,000 general practices and 100 GP-led respiratory clinics across Australia will join the COVID-19 vaccination program, with Phase 1B of the rollout to begin on Monday 22 March.

“Phase 1B of the rollout will see selected GP clinics in our region delivering COVID-19 vaccines for our elderly and immunocompromised,” Mr Coulton said.

“Eligible residents in Broken Hill, Boggabri, Cobar, Coonabarabran, Condobolin, Dubbo, Gunnedah, Moree, and Walgett will be able to receive the vaccine from their doctor from Monday, however more GP clinics will be added to the list in the coming weeks.”

By the end of April, more than 4,000 GP clinics across Australia will be involved in the vaccination program.

Mr Coulton said people in the Parkes electorate can rest assured that as more practices become involved over the next month, there will be ample opportunity for all residents to be vaccinated this year.

“As this phased rollout progresses, domestic production will increase, and the number of vaccination sites will follow suit,” Mr Coulton said.

“It will take many months to deliver these safe, effective vaccines to all Australians and I encourage Parkes residents to be patient as the rollout progresses.

“Every Australian who wants a vaccine will be able to be vaccinated. No-one will miss out, regardless of where they live.”

Phase 1B includes vulnerable groups, such as anyone aged 70 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 years and over, and people with certain underlying medical conditions.

“Although we are fortunate to not have any coronavirus cases here in the Parkes electorate, as the country opens up and more people look to explore our regional areas, the risk of transmission increases,” Mr Coulton said.

“I will be rolling up my sleeve when the time comes and I urge everyone to do the same to protect themselves, their family, and their community.”

There will be six million Australians eligible for Phase 1B. To find out if you are eligible, visit Australia.gov.au and follow the Eligibility Checker or call the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 1800 020 080.

If you are eligible, you will be able to view vaccination clinics and book an appointment online or via phone. If you are not yet eligible, you will be able to register your interest so that you can be notified when you are able to book.

You don’t need to be a patient of a GP clinic to obtain a vaccine from them.  However, if you have an underlying condition you must provide evidence to obtain the vaccine under Phase 1B.