Pandemic Flu Vaccination Clinics Moving to New Locations from Next Monday
The first round of free metropolitan clinics for vaccination against human swine influenza will close on Friday, with the second round of clinics opening next week.
The clinics at Cannington, Kwinana, Midvale and Wanneroo have experienced moderate demand, and will close at 7.30 pm on Friday 9 October.
From 12–16 October, the second round of clinics will operate in Armadale, Beechboro, Mandurah, Mirrabooka and Success.
Executive Director of Public Health, Dr Tarun Weeramanthri encouraged as many people as possible to take advantage of the free clinics and protect themselves against the pandemic flu.
“Prevention of human swine influenza remains a priority and I encourage people to use the free vaccination clinics,” Dr Weeramanthri said.
“Pandemic flu could continue to circulate in Australia during the warmer months, and could affect large numbers of people in the 2010 Australian winter.
“Human swine influenza has been mild in most people but has had severe effects for some, with more than 800 Western Australians hospitalised and 27 deaths associated with the virus.
"People at high risk if they contract the virus are advised to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
"High-risk groups include pregnant women, Indigenous people, and people with underlying medical conditions including chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, severe obesity and conditions that suppress the immune system.
"Parents and guardians of infants too young to be vaccinated (less than six months old) are also encouraged to be vaccinated themselves as early as possible."
After the vaccination clinics close, the vaccine will still be available at GPs and traditional immunisation providers.
GPs may charge a consultation fee to administer the vaccine, most of which will be refunded through Medicare.
Dr Weeramanthri said it was hoped that the vaccine would soon be available to children aged six months to 10 years, once information on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in children becomes available.
The vaccination clinics will not re-open once the children’s vaccine is available.
The first round clinics are open until Friday from 12.00 pm to 7.30 pm and are located at:
- Canning Town Hall, 1317 Albany Highway (corner George Street), Cannington
- Kwinana Recquatic Centre, Corner Gilmore and Chisham Avenues, Kwinana
- Swan Park Leisure Centre, Gray Drive, Midvale
- Wanneroo Former Library (behind shopping centre), 23 Civic Drive, Wanneroo
The second round vaccination clinics are open from 12.00 pm to 7.30 pm, 12–16 October at:
- The Champion Centre, Champion Drive, Armadale (former PCYC, opposite shopping centre)
- Altone Park Leisure Centre, 332 Benara Road, Beechboro
- Thomson St Netball Pavilion, 20 Thomson Street, Mandurah
- Herb Graham Recreation Centre, 27 Chesterfield Road, Mirrabooka
- Cockburn Youth Centre, 25 Wentworth Parade, Success
For further details people can contact the Pandemic Flu Hotline on 180 2007 or visit the Department of Health website at: http://www.health.wa.gov.au
Media contact: (08) 9222 4333
