The Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) is ramping up its COVID-19 vaccination program to include the Maryborough and wider regional community.

The health service began vaccinating its staff and aged care residents from March 22 in line with the Federal Government roll out.

MDHS CEO Nickola Allan said the health service has successfully vaccinated its public residential aged care residents and staff in phase 1A and 1B.

“We are now at the stage where we can broaden our vaccination program to all other people in the 1B phase group in our community, and invite people in this category to make a booking at the clinic,” she said.

Phase 1B includes adults aged 70 and over, health care workers, adults with an underlying medical condition or significant disability, critical and high risk workers including police, fire, emergency services and meat processing, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 55 and over.

The Federal Government announced last week that vaccinations have been temporally deferred for those aged under 50 based on Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advice that people in that age group receive the Pfizer vaccine instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Findings have indicated that in extremely rare instances, some people have developed a specific syndrome involving blood clots with low platelet counts after having the AstraZeneca Vaccine.

According to MDHS if you consider the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks of contracting coronavirus contact your health professional to discuss.

To book an appointment contact MDHS’ Wellness Centre on 5461- 0300 between 8.30 am and 12 pm, Monday to Friday.

To check if you’re eligible for the vaccine visit https://covid- vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility.