MORE than 40,000 COVID-19 vaccinations have been delivered on the Mid North Coast and northern NSW, with the next phase of the program expanding to anyone aged over-50.
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Almost 10 per cent of the target population for phases 1 and 2 of the roll out have received the vaccine.
Anyone over 50 can now make an appointment to get a COVID-19 AstraZeneca jab.
Of the vaccinations delivered to date, more than 38,000 residents in the region have received the Astra-Zeneca jab, according to Healthy North Coast.
The Pfizer vaccine has been given to more than 3,200 older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and to frontline health workers.
Healthcare Australia is the organisation contracted by the Commonwealth government to administer COVID-19 vaccinations for residents in RACFs across the region.
To date, eight RACFs on the Mid North Coast and seven in northern NSW have fully vaccinated their residents with both Pfizer doses.
Healthy North Coast is continuing to play a key role in supporting the program.
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Healthy North Coast chief executive Julie Sturgess said the vaccination program's progress to date is encouraging.
"This is our best defence against COVID-19," she said.
People on the Mid North Coast are being asked to participate in an online community consultation that allows them to share their thoughts on the COVID-19 vaccines.
The Healthy North Coast survey can be found at covid19vaccinesurvey.questionpro.com
Meanwhile, a new study into attitudes towards vaccination shows an increase in the number of Australians who say they definitely or probably would get vaccinated from January this year, although there is more hesitancy than in August last year.
Almost 40 per cent of those surveyed by the Australian National University's Centre for Social Research and Methods said they were slightly concerned about side effects, while 20.3 per cent were moderately concerned and 21.8 per cent were very concerned.
Of those who said they probably or definitely wouldn't get the vaccine, 63 per cent said concerns about side effects were the main reason.
The government has made it clear the free COVID-19 vaccination program will be voluntary in Australia, however, strongly encourages people to participate.
Residents can book an appointment with a local participating GP or attend a GP Respiratory Clinic vaccination centre.
Check the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker for a list of all services available.
Those seeking more information about COVID-19 vaccines should speak to their GP or call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
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