The Department of Health is to double down on its vaccine blitz to help ‘turbo charge’ the Federal Government’s vaccine rollout, expanding it to include hard-working paramedics.
Minister for Health, Martin Foley said last week’s aged care and disability workforce blitz had been extended past the weekend, concluding on Monday (7 June), and priority access to vaccinations was now being given to Ambulance Victoria (AV) staff until Sunday (13 June).
“It’s clear that providing priority access for vaccinations has meant our frontline health workforce is getting vaccinated faster,” Mr Foley said.
“Ambulance Victoria staff are often involved in the transport of potential COVID patients and spend time in emergency departments – vaccinating them swiftly will help keep the community safe,” he said.
Mr Foley said AV staff were eligible for either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines, depending on their age, and priority access would be ensured by active queue management.
The Minister said AV, aged care and disability workers were already eligible to be vaccinated at State hubs and could continue to attend at any time during opening hours.
“Priority access will ensure they can be vaccinated quickly during peak periods and do not need to book in advance,” he said.
The Department of Health said AV staff would be offered priority walk-up access at its 10 high-volume vaccination centres, including the Royal Exhibition Building; Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC); Sandown Racecourse; Melbourne Showgrounds; Former Ford Factory – Geelong; Bendigo Community Clinic; Ballarat Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre; Shepparton Showgrounds – McIntosh Centre; Traralgon Racecourse; and Wodonga Vaccination Hub.
