More than 6 million Australians will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine from today, as 1,000 clinic doctors start vaccinations for some priority groups.
Key points:
- Phase 1B of the rollout will begin today
- TGA has approved the domestic production of the AstraZeneca vaccine
- The first dose from the CSL facility in Melbourne will be released within days
Level 1B includes people over the age of 70, emergency workers such as the police and people with certain underlying medical conditions.
The federal government has resisted criticism for continued delays in the rollout of the vaccine behind international supply challenges.
But late on Sunday, the national medical regulator approved domestic production of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Although all batches still need to be inspected by the Therapeutic Products Administration (TGA), Health Minister Greg Hunt said the first doses from the CSL facility in Melbourne would be released within days .
“This is a fundamental lock-in decision for Australia to get up to 50 million units of home-made vaccines,” he told the ABC.
“It means the manufacturing process for CSL has been approved, it’s safe, it’s efficient, it meets all the requirements from one of the strongest regulators in the world.”
The President of the Australian Medical Association, Omar Khorshid, said that the entire distribution depends on local production of the vaccine.
“They can’t be rolled out without our local production, we heard last week that they don’t expect more AstraZeneca to come from overseas, so it’s vital that our local production comes on- line as soon as possible, “he said.
However, Dr Khorshid said many GPs across the country are still being harassed, with some clinics receiving as few as 40 doses for administration this week.
“The good news is that more practices are coming online every week, up to four and a half miles by the fourth week, which will make meetings much bigger for those in a hurry to get their vaccinations. get. “
Clinicians prepare for Stage 1B
In northwest Victoria, GPs and nurses at Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) in Mildura are preparing to embark on one of the largest supplying exercises Australia has ever seen.
After receiving 160 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine just yesterday, MDAS CEO Jacki Turfrey said the service would vaccinate 10 people today.
“It’s a relief to tell you the truth and our view is that the more people we can get vaccinated, the sooner we can return to any normal day-to-day routine. live, “she said.
Torres Strait Islander Indigenous people aged 55 and over are part of Stage 1B, and Ms Turfrey said it was particularly vital they received the injection.
“With people across the country representing some of the highest numbers of vulnerable people in the community for breast health, for chronic disease around health disorders, it is vital that our community is vaccinated. for as much as we can so that we can reduce risk, “she said.
The government expects more than 4,000 GP clinics to be able to deliver the vaccines by the end of April, and Australians will receive the first dose of the injection before October.