In the coming weeks, the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be rolled out across the country, providing protection to those who need it most – the elderly and those living with a disability, as well as our frontline workers who working tirelessly to save and protect lives.
This vaccine aims to do same thing – save and protect lives. It will lift some weight off the shoulders of our hard-working healthcare workers. This is a critical step in our national effort to defeat this virus.
In what will be one of the greatest logistical exercises in Australian history, Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine national roll-out strategy begins with two phases.
Phase 1A of the roll-out strategy prioritises frontline healthcare workers, quarantine and border workers, as well as aged and disability care residents and staff. Vaccinations will be distributed through hospital sites around the country and managed by Public Health Units in the State and Territory governments.
General practitioners will play a key role in phase 1B which targets elderly Australians aged 70 and over, Indigenous Australians over 55, other healthcare workers, younger adults with underlying medical conditions, as well police and emergency services. The workload for general practices will be I encourage all local practices to take on this vital responsibility.
These phases are expected to account for the bulk of Australia’s acquisition of the Pfizer vaccine, which has recently been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia’s world-class safety regulator. This jab has met strict standards for safety, quality, efficacy.
The same standards will be applied to any other vaccine, including the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines. These vaccines will be rigorously tested before being offered in Australia, and their roll-out will be closely monitored.
It is helpful to remember that the development of vaccines is based on over 100 years of research into the science of virology and immunisation. While it seems like these vaccines have been developed overnight, the scientific basis upon which they were created is well established, and began with the first SARS-CoV virus development in 2003.
Providing access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for everyone in Australia is a key priority for our Government.
Every Australian needs to play a part in protecting our communities and saving lives. I’ll be getting the vaccine as soon as possible, and I encourage you do to the same.
