Covid – 19

Ballina Family Medical centre continues to provide vaccinations for people aged 12 and over through our outdoor vaccination hub located in the medical centre car park.

Children aged 5 to 11 will be eligible to receive a new, lower-dose formulation of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in the Ballina Family Medical Centre from Thursday the 13th of January 2022.

Childhood vaccinations will be given inside the surgery rather than outside in the vaccination hub.

It is asked that you notify reception staff on your arrival then remain outside and a practice nurse will ask you to enter the building.

We ask that only one carer/ guardian accompany each child being vaccinated.

The under-12s Pfizer vaccine is 10µg (0.2mL) or only a third of the recommended 30µg dose administered to people aged 12 and over.

Children under 12 will still receive two doses, though these will be eight weeks apart, unlike the three-week interval for older cohorts.

Health advice is that a longer interval between doses appears to generate a stronger immune response.

• Most people with Covid will have a mild illness and will safely be able to stay at home during their illness.
• How long will I be unwell?
  • In vaccinated adults the illness is usually mild and symptoms may last 2 to 3 weeks. From days 4 to 12 symptoms may worsen, seek medical assessment if symptoms become concerning.
  • In children, the illness is generally mild and lasts about 6 days.About 50% of children will have no symptoms.
• Covid Resources.
  • https://www.healthdirect.gov.au

• https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources#masks-information
• For updated information on NSW case statistics, fact sheets and guidelines, please visit the NSW health website https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/self-isolation-and-testing.aspx

• If you would like to book a telehealth appointment with your usual GP, please book here.