Queensland Health says more Hospital and Health Services are preparing to launch their vaccination hubs pending the arrival of the first supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D’Ath said the regional vaccination hubs would come online in the coming weeks to continue vaccinating the Phase 1a cohort.
“The AstraZeneca vaccine is easier to store, move and share, so we can bring more hubs online much faster,” Ms D’Ath said.
She said Bundaberg Hospital and Logan Hospital were ready to administer the vaccine and more centres would join them once assurance checks were complete.
Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young said the AstraZeneca vaccine was a game-changer.
“I don’t want anyone to have any reservations about getting a certain vaccine or preferring one over the other,” Dr Young said.
“They both work. They are very effective and safe. They have both been reviewed and approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I would be happy to get either.”
She said it would take another four to five weeks to vaccinate the remaining Queenslanders in the Priority 1a cohort, “then we can start to look to 1b”.
“The Australian Government continues to be responsible for selecting, buying and regulating the COVID-19 vaccines,” Dr Young said.
“They are also in charge of delivering the vaccine to aged care residents and workers, and disability care residents and workers in the first priority group,” she said.
