MORE Pfizer vaccine is expected to arrive at Belmont's mass vaccination hub by mid-October, but the centre is "on track" to provide more than 10,000 vaccinations this week as it begins offering AstraZeneca.
The Belmont hub, listed as Newcastle Vaccination Centre in the online eligibility checker, underwent deep cleaning earlier this week after a person who attended the facility on August 5 later tested positive for COVID-19.
Hunter New England Health's COVID-19 response lead, Elizabeth Grist, said they continued to urge eligible people to come forward for vaccination, providing they were not confirmed COVID-19 cases, contacts of cases, were not isolating, and did not have symptoms.
Ms Grist said they had also begun rebooking and vaccinating all the Pfizer appointments that had been cancelled when doses were diverted to Sydney.
The hub is poised to deliver up to 1000 doses of the AstraZenenca COVID-19 vaccine each week via twice-weekly clinics on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Appointments are available from August 28.
"We encourage members of the community to consider this option," Ms Grist said.
"AstraZeneca is also very effective in preventing severe disease and death due to COVID-19.
"The AstraZeneca vaccine is currently available to anyone 18 years and over, however informed consent needs to be provided. This means understanding the risks and benefits of vaccination using the latest information and advice that is available on the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)."
Anyone with concerns or questions about receiving AstraZeneca should speak with their GP before booking an appointment at the hub.
