Shot in the arm we need

Aged and health workers first in line for vaccine

LOCAL aged care residents and frontline healthcare workers will be among the first people in our region to receive a coronavirus vaccine, with Barwon Health set to engage extra staff to assist the rollout.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is expected to begin in late February.

Barwon Health chief medical officer Simon Woods said the initial rollout of the Pfizer vaccine would be in accordance with Commonwealth guidelines.

“The first priority will include immunisation teams, quarantine and border workers, frontline healthcare workers, and staff and residents in aged care and disability care,” Dr Woods said.

Dr Woods said the next wave of immunisation, with dates yet to be announced, would include meatworkers.

Abattoirs have been considered risky workplaces throughout the pandemic, with outbreaks occurring at meatworks in Colac and

Breakwater.

“Low-risk workers will mostly receive immunisation through a combination of GPs, pharmacists and mass immunisation centres,” Dr Woods said.

Dr Woods said Barwon Health would be engaging additional staff for the rollout.

“Barwon Health is in the process of planning for the rollout of the vaccine in collaboration with local health services and the Primary Health Network, on behalf of general practitioners,” he said.

“Our new Public Health Unit will be leading this work for Barwon Health.”

Western Victoria Primary Health Network acting chief executive Tony Ficca said the PHN was working in collaboration with the federal and state governments and regional public health units for the coronavirus vaccine rollout.

Mr Ficca said the vaccination rollout would be focused on ensuring populations at high risk had access to early stages.

“High-priority groups, including frontline high-risk healthcare and quarantine workers among others, would receive the vaccine in the first phase of the rollout which will be co-ordinated by regional public health hubs,” he said.

“GPs will play a vital role in the remaining phases of the rollout.”

Mr Ficca said in the planned rollout, the federal and state governments recognised that general practices were a critical partner in providing care for people across communities.

“General practices will be invited to submit an expression of interest to participate in the delivery of the vaccine to the community,” he said.

“Western Victoria PHN will be supporting this process locally as well as providing ongoing support to practices throughout the vaccination rollout timeline.”