VACCINE rollout frustrations continue to trickle down from the federal government to local providers, with community members repeatedly missing out on getting their first Pfizer dose.
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South-west Victoria residents under 40 have been able to jump the queue to get the Pfizer jab, reporting receiving phone calls from South West Healthcare staff desperate to ensure doses don't go to waste.
A Warrnambool resident told The Standard they had received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine last month even though they were not eligible under federal government requirements for the rollout.
"I was contacted by a friend whose parent works in the vaccination centre at the old Sam's Warehouse site," the resident in their 30s said.
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"They asked if I wanted to get the Pfizer vaccine, and I said, 'ahh, what? I can't get it, I'm not eligible.' They explained to me the vaccination centre had cancellations on that day and if the vaccines weren't used they would be disposed of.
"I felt guilty, almost like a queue jumper, but I also understood that no-one wanted to see vaccines being destroyed. I was happy to receive the first dose and will soon get my second.
"I personally think the federal government has a lot to answer for - this vaccine rollout has been a complete shambles. I feel for everyone who wants to be vaccinated but the availability isn't there - we are months behind other countries across the world. It's embarrassing."
South-west residents eligible for the Pfizer vaccine have expressed frustrations on missing out.
It's prompted calls to the health provider to set up a system notifying eligible people when there are cancellations or leftover Pfizer doses.
SWH did not respond to questions on whether any system would be implemented locally, or how many people have received the last minute Pfizer jabs. A total of 1173 first and second doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines were administered by SWH last week - 18,564 in total.
SWH COVID-19 coordinator Sue Anderton said there had been no wastage of the AstraZeneca vaccines locally.
"SWH encourages the community to be vaccinated and if unsure discuss hesitancy with their GP," she said.