The federal Health Department has released the list of Tasmanian GP clinics that will start administering the AstraZeneca vaccine from Monday under phase 1B of the national rollout.
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However, The Examiner understands no private practices in Tasmania have received their supply of the vaccines yet, with many only expected to receive a small amount.
On Wednesday federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced more than 1000 general practices across Australia will join the COVID-19 vaccination program from next week.
In Tasmania, 36 GP clinics were included in the list to start administering the vaccine from Monday, March 22.
This includes ESK Family Health Care Centre, Newstead Medical, Prospect Medical Centre, Summerdale Medical Practice, Northern Suburbs Medical Services and more.
However, since the announcement, many GP clinics have reportedly been inundated with calls from people requesting bookings.
Dr Donald Rose of Summerdale Medical Centre, who is among the Tasmanian practices on the list, said GPs had been left in the dark.
"We don't know what's happening," he said.
"We are hearing there are a lot of Tasmanian clinics on that list who haven't received the vaccines yet, and probably won't by Monday.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"GPs are as poorly informed as everyone else.
"The problem we all have is we, as individual practices know, whether we have been successful in being able to distribute the vaccine and we also know how many vaccine we have got.
"That's where the problem lies ... we have been given very small numbers of vaccine and we have no guarantee it will increase."
In announcing the rollout, Mr Hunt said services will come online from March 22 and progressively increase in number to more than 4000 by the end of April.
"This staged scale up will align with the supply of the locally produced AstraZeneca vaccine, and as more vaccine becomes available more services will come online," he said.
"Appointments on the service finder will increase as general practices establish their systems and vaccine supply. More appointments will become available as more clinics come on-board.
People will still be able to book their vaccine appointments directly at a participating general practice - as they do now, for instance, to get a seasonal flu vaccine."
Health Department booking information:
Where do I go and how do I book in?
Go to Department of Health website. Using the Eligibility Checker, you can find out which phase of the rollout you are in. 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.
If you prefer not to use the online option, you can call the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 1800 020 080.
Will I be able to choose where I can book?
You will be able to view and select clinic locations based on the postcode you enter.
What happens if there are no clinics or appointments in my area?
A list of Commonwealth vaccination clinics, participating General Practices, and state and territory vaccination clinics will be made available as they come online.
Do I have to use the Eligibility Checker in order to book?
The checker is a helpful tool to help you find out if you are currently eligible to book. The checker will guide you through to a simple way to find and book vaccine appointments, or help you register to be notified if you are part of a later phase. If you prefer to book appointments directly at a participating general practice or Commonwealth state vaccination clinic, you can contact them directly to do so.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
