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Federal government in firing line after Belmont vaccination cancellations

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Local politicians have taken aim at the federal government, after residents were notified their COVID-19 vaccination appointments at the Belmont mass hub had been cancelled.

NSW Health issued thousands of text messages to Novocastrians near and far on Saturday 31 July, advising them the Pfizer vaccine would not be available for first and second doses in the immediate future.

The despatches stated: “Pfizer vaccines are being redirected to assist in vaccinating Year 12 students in south-western and western Sydney to help them return to face-to-face teaching.

“This is to advise your vaccination appointment will need to be rescheduled.”

However, the Newcastle Weekly understands there was a mistake in the messaging at the weekend.

“Appointments are only being cancelled for people who are yet to receive their first dose of Pfizer,” a NSW Health official admitted.

“If you have had your first dose of Pfizer and your second appointment was cancelled, this was done in error and you can email [email protected] and have your appointment reinstated.”

Hunter federal MP Joel Fitzgibbon and his state counterparts Sonia Hornery (Wallsend MP) and Tim Crakanthorp (Newcastle MP) were quick to criticise the Prime Minister’s handling of the current crisis.

“After weeks of trying, I finally secured two Pfizer jab appointments,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“But, like too many others, I received a text from NSW Health informing me my vaccination appointments have been cancelled.

“I understand Sydney (particularly HSC students) desperately need more vaccines but if Scott Morrison had done his job, my constituents would not now be being bumped down the queue.

“It’s a shocker; we deserve to be vaccinated, too.”

Both Ms Hornery and Mr Crakanthorp echoed Mr Fitzgibbon’s sentiments.

“This is extremely disappointing as I know many people have been trying and waited for many weeks for appointments,” the pair stated.

“We’ve reached out to Hunter New England Health for further information; however, we were told it was the decision of NSW Health.

“We’ll be following up with the Minister Brad Hazzard.

“This latest development further highlights how the federal government has totally botched the roll-out of the vaccine.

“Residents of Newcastle and the Hunter want to get vaccinated.

“But, it can’t happen without the vaccine.”

The blow comes as NSW recorded 210 new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of these locally-acquired cases, 88 are linked to a known case or cluster – 74 are household contacts and 14 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 122 cases is under investigation.

Fifty-eight cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 11 were in isolation for part of their infectious period.

Twenty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of a further 120 remains under investigation.

Two new cases were acquired overseas.

The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is now 8,725.

There have been 3,190 locally-acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in the Bondi cluster was reported.

There are currently 203 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 53 people in intensive care, 27 of whom require ventilation.

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