In a bid to support Sydney Year 12 students returning to face-to-face learning for their HSC, NSW Health announced last week Pfizer vaccines will be redirected from regional areas across the state.

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"As part of its pandemic response, NSW Health is taking this important temporary measure to also give us the best chance of containing the current outbreak in Greater Sydney as quickly as possible," the NSW Health spokesperson said.

"As a result, people in other regions could receive a notice advising their first dose of Pfizer will be rescheduled.

"However ISLHD supplies of Pfizer are not being impacted by this."

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Pharmacies will also be brought into the COVID-19 vaccination rollout sooner under a plan to fuel national jab rates.

More than 110 have started administering AstraZeneca jabs across Australia, which was expected to rise to about 470 by the end of the July.

"AstraZeneca also remains available from GPs, NSW Health clinics and a growing number of pharmacies," the NSW Health Spokesperson said.

"The NSW Government has asked the Federal Government to facilitate more pharmacies in regional and rural areas delivering the COVID-19 vaccines.

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"Public health advice, based on the latest information from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), now recommends that all individuals aged 18 years and over in NSW, including adults under 60 years of age, should consider getting vaccinated with any available vaccine, including COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.

"NSW Health has also authorised pharmacists to offer AstraZeneca vaccination to anyone aged 18 years or over without precautions or contraindications who has had the opportunity for a discussion in relation to the risks and benefits of vaccination, and has provided fully informed consent."

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