Spike in whooping cough cases leaves many concerned

 BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

A total of 34 cases of whooping cough have been reported in the Hunter this year, the highest seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Data reveals case numbers in the last two months have surpassed those recorded across the entirety of 2023. 

The bacterial infection is highly contagious and has proven to be deadly in young children, with symptoms lasting up to three months. 

Officials from The John Hunter Hospital are urging anyone who is able to get a booster shot of the vaccine to do so. 

Arguing it can offer protection from the illness for three to four years. 

Monkeypox vaccines available in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Monkeypox vaccinations are now available at the Wallsend Health Campus on Longworth Avenue. 

Gay and bisexual men with multiple or casual sexual partners, as well as anyone who has sex with men in that group, are eligible to receive the free vaccine. 

Vaccinations are only taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

There is a limited number of appointments and vaccine supply available, and eligible people who aren’t yet fully vaccinated are encouraged to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Two doses of the vaccine are required for maximum protection, given at least 28 days apart. 

The vaccine is most effective two weeks after the second dose and offers 80 percent protection against monkeypox. 

You can check your eligibility or make a booking at https://health.nsw.gov.au/book-a-monkeypox-vaccine.

Last chance for Hunter to grab free flu jab

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Hunter residents are reminded, the NSW Government's free flu shot scheme will finish at the end of the month. 

Residents have until this Thursday 30th June to take advantage of the program. 

Free flu shots are available at GPs for anyone aged 6 months and over, as well as at pharmacies for everyone aged five years and over.

Many GP's and pharmacies in the region are still taking walk-in appointments and are encouraging locals to help stop the spread. 

Hunter New England Health public health physician, Dr David Durrheim, said it's not too late to protect yourself. 

"We've certainly seen an increase in the number of people who've been jabbed during June which is fantastic, but there's still opportunities for people to grab the vaccine in these last couple of days to get the whole family protected," Dr Durrheim said. 

He also reminded residents not to forget about COVID, with the rise in flu cases. 

"We've seen in the last three months, already over 6,200 Influenza A cases in the Hunter New England region, which is an enormous number. Two thirds of those cases have been in the last three weeks; there's plenty of flu about, you're going to encounter flu, so it's a really good idea to be protected as maximally as possible." 

"Anybody who hasn't had their flu jab should get their flu jab as soon as possible. Anybody who's due for either their third dose or their winter booster of the COVID jab, really don't delay any longer," he said.  

The flu vaccine will remain free for vulnerable individuals and high-risk groups, including children aged six months to under five years, Aboriginal people, pregnant women, people aged 65 years and over, and those with diabetes, serious heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, immunosuppression and obesity.

Hunter residents have until tomorrow to get their free flu shot. 

Belmont's mass vaccination hub to shut its doors

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The mass vaccination hub at Belmont is set to shut its doors on July 1. 

Hunter New England says, demand at the former Bunnings site is waning, after almost a year of delivering COVID-19 vaccines to the public. 

Around 271,000 of the 429,292 vaccinations across the region, were performed at Belmont. 

A smaller clinic will replace the site at the Wallsend Health Campus.

McDonald Jones Homes Offering Staff Vouchers For Vaccination

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter home-building company McDonald Jones Homes is breaking ground by offering its employees $200 to spend at Coles or Myer if they've had their COVID vaccine. 

Around 300 staff members in the Hunter and more than a thousand country-wide are eligible for the vouchers if they can provide proof they've had both doses. 

Head of Corporate Affairs Brett Lavering says the incentive will go a long way for the safety of employees and of the wider region.

"It's not mandatory, it's entirely up to them, but we think it's a good way to do our bit to try and get the country back on track," Mr Lavering said.

Mr Lavering said the response from staff has been encouraging. 

"We introduced it on Friday, and already about 50 staff have come forward with their vaccination certificate to say that they're done, and plenty of others are saying,  'Yep, I've got one down, I can't wait to get my second one'," Mr Lavering said.

"They'll get that gift voucher, and they can spend that on whatever they like."

Maitland's Popup Vaccination Clinic Proves Huge Success

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A popup vaccination clinic at Maitland Showground on Thursday has been a huge success, despite highlighting the serious demand for the shot across the Hunter.

Around 300 people were given the AstraZeneca jab in just three hours, including walk-ins.

The queue was parked out an hour and half before opening, and included groups all the way from under 40s to over 90s. 

Dr Craig Richards from the Lorn Surgery says they're hoping to get another clinic up and running in two weeks' time.

"I think there's a very high demand for vaccination, but we're still just currently limited by the lack of Pfizer, which is most appropriate for people under 60," Dr Richards said. 

It's hoped the region could establish a larger and more permanent clinic with the arrival of Pfizer supplies in Australia.

"I think we definitely do need an accessible mass vaccination option in the Hunter Valley," Dr Richards said.

"Belmont is a bit of a hike for people, but at the moment there's probably a fairly complementary sort of role going on there, Belmont providing Pfizer for the region, and Maitland providing AstraZeneca."

Newcastle's Own COVID Vaccination Hub Gets Opening Date

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle's own COVID-19 vaccination hub is set to open at the former Bunnings site at Belmont in a little over a week. 

Hunter New England Health will start delivering 20,000 vaccines a week from July 19th. 

Around 100 nurses and 25 pharmacists will be working on site at 393 Pacific Highway. 

Appointments booked at the John Hunter Hospital will also be relocated to the new hub.

Hunter Teachers Hoping For Priority in Vaccine Rollout

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Independent Education Union is pushing for teachers across the Hunter and the State to be prioritised in NSW's vaccination campaign.

There's concern about the possibility of schools becoming local COVID hotspots, after thousands of staff and students in Sydney were forced to isolate over the past week.

NSW/ACT IEU Secretary Mark Northam says speeding up the vaccine rollout for teachers would be "significant step forward" for keeping schools open.

"Certainly not displacing frontline health workers, we're not suggesting that at all," Mr Northam said. 

"But we are suggesting that teachers should be prioritised and support staff to be vaccinated so that schools can operate smoothly and well in Term 3." 

The Union's also calling on the Government to provide paid vaccination leave for teachers and staff to book their shot in their busy schedules.

"The communities that our members serve, their appreciation of the role and function of a teacher during what's been a fairly tumultuous year in education, schools have achieved magnificent things," Mr Northam said.

"I think it's time for a bit of repayment of the good stocks that teachers and support staff have built up."

The 33 Hunter GP's Rolling Out the AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine from Monday

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Eligible Hunter residents can now make a booking to receive their AstraZeneca COVID shot, with the roll out at Hunter GP clinics starting on Monday. 

33 medical providers are currently signed up to administer the vaccine across the region from March 22, under Phase 1B of the roll out. 

Phase 1B includes people aged 70 or older, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 or older, critical or high risk workers, other healthcare workers not included in the previous phase, and adults with certain medical conditions.

More than 6 million Australians are expected to receive at least one dose in this phase.

People hoping to get the jab will have to check they fit the bill via an online eligibility checker before making an appointment.

You can find the participating GPs closest to you in the table below.

Brunker Road General Practice	Adamstown	2289
Ochre Health Medical Centre Bonnells Bay	Bonnells Bay	2264
Broadmeadow Medical Centre	Broadmeadow	2292
University Health Service	Callaghan	2308
Appletree Family Practice	Charlestown	2290
Charlestown Medical & Dental Centre	Charlestown	2290
Charlestown Square Medical Centre	Charlestown	2290
Smith St Medical Centre	Charlestown	2290
Elermore Vale General Practice	Elermore Vale	2287
Jewells Medical Centre	Jewells	2280
Community Healthcare Kurri Kurri	Kurri Kurri	2327
Family Medical Centre	Kurri Kurri	2327
Hamilton Doctors	Hamilton	2303
Mount Hutton Medical Practice	Mount Hutton	2290
Blackbutt Doctors Surgery	New Lambton	2305
Westlakes Medical Centre	Rathmines	2283
Rutherford Family Medical Practice	Rutherford	2320
Rutherford Medical Centre	Rutherford	2320
Salamander Medical Centre	Salamander Bay	2320
Soldiers Point Medical Centre	Salamander Bay	2317
Scone Medical Practice	Scone	2337
Singleton Heights Medical Practice	Singleton Heights	2330
Stockton Surgery	Stockton	2295
Swansea Medical Centre	Swansea	2281
Tilligerry Medical Centre	Tanilba Bay	2319
Ochre Health Medical Centre Tea Gardens	Tea Gardens	2324
Providence Medical Thornton	Thornton	2322
The Boulevarde Family Practice	Toronto	2283
Toronto Doctors	Toronto	2283
Valentine Family Medical Practice	Valentine	2280
Andrew Nash Clinic	Wallsend	2287
Providence Medical Warners Bay	Warners Bay	2282
Central Health Alliance	Williamtown	2318

FAQ

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.

Q Fever Causing Extreme Fatigue in Hunter Farmers, with 20 Cases Recorded In Local Health District This year

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Hunter New England Local Health  (HNELHD) is strongly urging farmers and people who work with livestock to get vaccinated against Q fever as lambing and calving continues throughout spring.

Q fever is a bacterial infection carried by animals - such as cattle, sheep and goats - and can lead to chronic lethargy that may last for several months.

So far this year, there have been 20 recorded cases of Q fever in the Local Health District. The District records about 50 cases per year with many more cases remaining undiagnosed in the community.

Population Health’s Peter Massey, said a single dose vaccine is recommended for people who work in high-risk occupations, as well as for people aged 15 years and over who could be exposed to Q fever.

“The risk of ongoing health issues, such as heart disease and chronic fatigue, can really hit individuals and families hard,” Dr Massey said.

“With all the pressure on farmers and livestock handlers with the drought and now COVID-19, the last thing we want is for them to be needlessly drained of energy for months on end after being struck down by Q fever.”

People can become infected when they breathe in dust particles contaminated by infected animal secretions or just close contact with livestock and even some native animals. Q fever can lead to high fevers and chills, sweating, severe headaches, muscle and joint pains and extreme fatigue.

Dr Massey urged anyone who might be at risk to consult a GP who can screen for Q fever and vaccinate them, if needed.

“We want people to proactively talk to their doctor about Q fever,” he said.

Children who help with farm animals may also be at risk, but the vaccine is not recommended for children younger than 15 years.

Dr Massey said many of the behaviours adopted during COVID-19 can help keep people safe including regular handwashing and masks.

“Really good hand washing, using protective masks, protective clothing and removing clothes worn for chores outside before entering the family home are behaviours to be reinforced because they can protect those who cannot be vaccinated.”

The NSW Government is investing around $1 million between 2018 and 2022 to help protect farmers and other people in rural areas who work with animals from Q fever.

NSW Health is currently delivering an education campaign targeting people in occupations and locations at higher risk of Q fever.

For more information on Q fever, go to the NSW Health website.