The Federal Government has accepted all but one recommendation from a review into the procurement and supply arrangements for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
Releasing its response, the Department of Health and Aged Care said the Review of COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Purchasing and Procurement said it aimed to ensure it remained ready and able to meet current and future COVID-19 requirements for Australia.
“The Review highlights a number of challenges and environmental factors that impacted on the procurement, supply and distribution and COVID-19 vaccines and treatments during the early phases of the pandemic,” the Department said.
“It also examines the opportunities afforded by a more stable and predictable COVID-19 environment including the capacity to review and update systems to ensure they are fit for purpose, effective, efficient and delivering value to Government,” it said.
“The Review includes eight recommendations for Government including the need for public health campaigns to enhance booster uptake; an update to the COVID-19 policy framework; the streamlining of advisory structures; a review of vaccine distribution arrangements; and the need to ensure adequate supplies of vaccines and treatments through to 2024.”
The Department said seven of the eight recommendations were accepted, while one recommendation in relation to the National Medical Stockpile (NMS), was partially accepted, noting the recommendation was largely outside the terms of reference for the review.
Minister for Health, Mark Butler said an additional three million doses of the latest Moderna Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine had been secured to ensure an adequate portfolio of vaccines – consistent with the Review’s recommendations.
“Work has already commenced on implementing Halton’s recommendations, including releasing the COVID-19 Management Plan for 2023 and preparing a new advertising campaign to ensure everyone in Australia, especially populations in vulnerable situations, continue to have the information and awareness to make decisions that help protect themselves and others from COVID,” Mr Butler said.
The 12-page Government Response to the Review of COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Purchasing and Procurement can be accessed at this PS News link and the six-page Review at this link.
