Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has said Australia’s vaccine rollout is on track with the Australian Government securing an additional 10 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID 19 vaccine on the advice of the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group on Vaccines led by Professor Brendan Murphy.
“Vaccination of Australians against COVID 19 will commence in late February, pending approval from the TGA, to ensure an orderly roll out to priority groups which is safe, effective and explained properly to Australian.
“With the additional 10 million vaccine doses, Australia will now have access to over 150 million vaccine doses for Australians and our pacific island partners, ensuring we remain a world leader in the fight against COVID-19.
“The Federal Government has announced we’re investing $1.9bn for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Medical Association; the big logistics companies including DHL and Linfox; and general practices and community pharmacies from around Australia to rollout and administer the vaccine,” Ms Landry said.
Ms Landry also said her priority is to see the vaccine to be rolled out in regional and rural areas as soon as practically possible for the people who wish to get vaccinated.
“COVID-19 vaccine distribution locations and sites across Australia are currently being finalised with state and territory governments.
“The Government is also working with logistics experts to ensure cold chain and supply to all Australians, including rural and remote locations.
“About 30-50 locations will be established as ongoing Hospital Hubs in both urban and rural Australia. In addition, there will be more than 1000 points of distribution nationwide with exact locations to be confirmed in the coming weeks. These sites will include places such as GP Respiratory clinics, GPs, community pharmacies, state vaccination clinics and Aboriginal Controlled Health Organisation clinics.
“The Government’s call out to GPs and community pharmacies to administer vaccinations will strengthen the nation-wide rollout, and will allow those living in regional, rural and remote communities to access COVID-19 vaccination if they choose.
“As distribution planning is finalised, timely updates will be communicated and made available on www.health.gov.au/covid19-vaccines,” Ms Landry said.
Ms Landry also encouraged Central Queenslanders to seek out information on the COVID-19 from trusted and verified sources.
“I strongly encourage all Central Queenslanders to please get your information from Australian Government websites and from expert medical advice, rather than social media or other alternative sources.
“The vaccine will go through Australia’s strict safety tests and while we will encourage people to take it, it will be voluntary and free.
“Ensuring that safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available to everyone in Australia is a key priority for the Morrison-McCormack Government.”
More information on the vaccine rollout can be found via https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/getting-vaccinated-for-covid-19/who-will-get-the-vaccines
