More than 4,500 accredited general practices are to participate in Phase 1B of Australia’s COVID-19 rollout.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the roll-out was one of the greatest logistical challenges in the nation’s history and would involve the collaboration of the Australian Medical Association, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
“More than 1,000 general practices will commence from the week of 22 March 2021, with a rapid scale up over the following four weeks,” Mr Hunt said.
“This will ensure an efficient and equitable distribution of vaccines across the country,” he said.
“Phase 1B of the rollout includes vulnerable populations, such as older people and people with certain underlying conditions.”
Mr Hunt said the staged commencement of general practices would be complemented by GP-led Respiratory Clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, which would work together to deliver vaccines to eligible priority populations.
“Nationally, more than 130 Respiratory Clinics and over 300 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service sites will support the Phase 1b roll out,” the Minister said.
“This adds to more than 5,000 points of presence across Australia in addition to vaccination clinics set up by States and Territories,” he said.
Mr Hunt said vaccination start dates would be staggered and dosage allocation would be dependent on vaccine availability.
