April 2021 News
A warm welcome to the Millhouse Community and to other readers.
When I began this newsletter, rainy days reminded me that winter is nearly upon us. Covid-19 continues to lurk on the sideline and soon influenza will continue its seasonal presence along with nuisance cold viruses, of which four are from the same coronavirus family as Covid-19. As you know Covid vaccination has started with both MIQ personnel and the primary healthcare work force. I have now had both jabs as have some other Millhouse personnel. At the Vaccination Centre, staff were efficient and the vaccination was done promptly, although for later recipients, that day was chaos with vaccine supplies running out and many people waiting more than 3 hours. I hope the process of vaccination improves and that perhaps we might be given approval to immunise at Milhouse.
Millhouse News:
MASKS are still required in the waiting room under Alert Level One to prevent possible spread of infection to others. During the consultation with your Doctor or Practice Nurse, if you both agree, face masks can be removed. COVID SWABS continue to be taken at 130 Millhouse. Please ring for an appointment if you have any respiratory symptoms. Stay in your car when you arrive, ring Reception and a nurse will come and take the swab while you remain in your vehicle. FOR REPEAT LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTIONS please use the ManageMyHealth portal which avoids unnecessary time delay with Reception and Nurses processing a telephone request.
VACCINATION UPDATE
Free Flu vaccines will be available in May for seniors over 65yr, children under 4yr with significant chest illness, and pregnant women. We will inform you by email or TXT. Widespread Covid vaccination will commence in the next few months and we will keep you informed when and where the immunisation process begins.
This month Dr Ric highlights the Covid experience in New Zealand and other countries, then discusses the purpose of vaccination. He also reviews who is at greatest Covid risk, and finally comment on strategies to ameliorate severe reactions when receiving Covid-19 immunisation.
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Yours in good health
Dr Ric Coleman and the Millhouse Team
In this issue...
- Millhouse staff now being vaccinated
- Flu vaccine coming in May; public Covid vaccination rollout to commence over next few months
- Masks are required in the waiting room
- Covid Swabs are taken in the carpark
- Don't forget to use ManageMy Health and digital prescriptions to reduce interpersonal contact
and this month Dr Ric writes more about the Covid - 19 hazard risks, presents current statistics and explains the function of the Covid vaccine.