Pfizer vaccine coming for 40-49s in NSW

People in NSW aged between 40 and 49 could get a Pfizer COVID-19 jab at the new purpose-built vaccination hub at Sydney Olympic Park within weeks.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the “exciting” development at the opening of the government-run Homebush hub on Monday.

“People aged 40 to 49 can register their interest in getting that Pfizer injection from 5pm today at nsw.gov.au,” she said on Monday.

For the first two weeks, the vaccination hub will be open to people in categories 1a and 1b - emergency and aged care workers, front-line workers and their families.

From Wednesday, anyone 50 or older can register to get the AstraZeneca vaccine at the hub from May 24.

The premier is still urging anyone 50 or older to go and get vaccinated by their GP.

“If you don’t have a GP or don’t have access to a GP, or you find it difficult getting to them, you can book with us from 12 May and get your jab from 24th May,” she said.

Meanwhile, NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant indicated there had been no further cases of COVID-19 detected in the community.

“In terms of the numbers, we’ll release the official numbers at 11am as per usual. There’s nothing particularly of concern in those numbers,” she said.

Coronavirus restrictions imposed across Greater Sydney last Thursday will stay in place for another week, except mask-wearing for customers in retail settings.

Dr Chant said while it remained unclear how an infected eastern Sydney man caught the virus last week, the only person he’s passed the virus on to so far has been his wife.

Genome sequencing confirmed he somehow caught the same strain of the virus that infected a returned US traveller.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t found that missing link,” Dr Chant said.

“We have tested everyone in close proximity to this gentleman, (so) the contact with the infectious person must have been very fleeting.”

However, there could be undiscovered chains of transmission in the community, she added.

The NSW government expects the Homebush hub will be able to administer 30,000 COVID-19 jabs per week.

It will operate six days a week from 8am to 8pm in a specially fitted out commercial building.

Ms Berejiklian said the state was ramping up the effort to vaccinate as many people as possible.

“We’re getting close to 700,000 but we’ve got a way to go,” she said.

The continuing restrictions mean that for the next week household gatherings remain capped at 20 people, masks are compulsory on public transport and indoor venues such as theatres and aged care homes, and singing and dancing remains mostly banned.

Hospitality patrons are still not permitted to drink while standing, although retail customers are no longer obliged to wear masks.