By Luke Voogt
Geelong’s mass vaccination hub at Norlane is among 10 centres taking part in a state-wide blitz to immunise private aged care and disability workers.
The blitz, from tomorrow to Sunday, gives workers at private aged care facilities and in the residential disability sector, both overseen by the Commonwealth, priority access at walk-in vaccination hubs.
“Victorians have come out in force to get vaccinated in the past week,” Health Minister Martin Foley said today.
“Now we’re stepping in to make sure those who work in our most vulnerable settings have priority access to a vaccine to protect our most at-risk groups.
“We’ve seen first-hand the devastation coronavirus causes among our aged and disability care population – alongside getting tested and isolating, vaccination is the best way to protect the most vulnerable Victorians.”
The blitz aims to address lower vaccination rates in private aged care facilities, which are significantly more susceptible to ongoing outbreaks, according to state government.
Aged care and disability workers are already eligible to be vaccinated at state-run hubs, including the old Ford factory in Norlane, and can continue to attend at any time during opening hours.
But the five-day blitz will give priority access to any private aged care and disability workers presenting evidence of employment at walk-in vaccination hubs across Victoria between 9am and 4pm, without needing to book in advance, according to state government.
National Disability Insurance Scheme participants and other community members currently eligible for the immunisation program can also access vaccinations at state-run sites, according to government.
The Commonwealth will continue to be responsible for “in-reach” vaccination in disability residential settings, with state authorities to provide support to help workers access state-run vaccination sites.
Staff are eligible for either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines depending on their age. “Active queue management” will ensure they have priority access, according to state government.
Victoria had a record 95,676 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the week ending last Sunday (May 30), an increase of 66 per cent on the previous week, according to the Department of Health.
State government expanded vaccine eligibility at state-run sites to those aged 40-49 on May 28.
So far more than 22,000 Victorians in that age group have received their first dose, according to the Department of Health.
State government encourages eligible people other than those covered in the blitz to book via the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.
