By Luke Voogt
Barwon Health is preparing to “safely immunise as many people as possible in the shortest possible time” following the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) approval of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
“We’ll be ready as soon as supplies of vaccine are received,” Barwon Health chief medical officer Simon Woods said.
“We anticipate that immunisation will commence in late February to early March.”
Dr Woods said Barwon Health was planning a “major team effort” following the TGA approval of the vaccine on Monday for use in Australia.
“We’re in the process of identifying healthcare workers with the appropriate experience in anticipation of high demand for the COVID-19 vaccine this year.”
General practices, pharmacies and health services across the region will administer the vaccine with support from Barwon South West Public Health Unit.
During the first round of immunisation the unit will give priority to healthcare workers and residents in aged and disability care.
Border control workers in ports across the Barwon South West region and at its border with South Australia will also have initial priority.
Currently the region has no quarantine workers – also prioritised under Commonwealth policy for the first round – according to Dr Woods.
Despite the vaccine being non-compulsory, Dr Woods was confident of a “high uptake” among Barwon Health staff, aged care residents and, eventually, the general population.
The region has one of the highest general immunisation rates in Australia, he said.
Dr Woods said health authorities were finalising locations for immunisation and establishing a scheduled booking system to manage the distribution.
Deakin University will loan equipment to local health authorities to store the Pfizer vaccine at the required temperature of -70 degrees Celsius.
Dr Woods anticipated approval for the Astra Zeneca (Oxford) vaccine, which has less demanding storage requirements but is also less effective, soon after the initial rollout of the Pfizer vaccine.
“This will be more plentiful and is logistically easier to deliver,” he said.
Dr Woods commended the Geelong community for “remaining vigilant” with an average of 190 to 200 people per day currently getting tested for COVID-19 at Barwon Health sites.
He said “it’s too soon” to comment on the vaccine’s potential impact on Barwon Health visitation polices, which are guided by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.
