The Australian Government has a strategy to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to everyone living in Australia as soon as they are available.
A staged roll-out of the vaccine is expected to commence this month.
Healthcare professionals have an important role in discussing and delivering vaccination against COVID-19 with their patients.
The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be available from early to mid-February this year. Doses of this vaccine will be available through 30 to 50 hubs at specific hospital sites across urban and rural Australia.
Approval of the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated for the coming months.
Both vaccines will progressively be distributed through an expanded number of sites, including general practice clinics, existing Commonwealth GP respiratory clinics, state-run vaccination clinics and pharmacies.
The vaccine rollout roadmap has determined the phases of vaccination for priority groups.
General practices expressions of interest for vaccine roll-out
Expressions of interest (EOI) from general practices to participate from Phase 1b of the national rollout strategy, planned to commence in March, close today (Wednesday, 3 February at 11.59pm). Respondents will be notified of the outcome ASAP.
COVID-19 vaccine training
The Australian College of Nursing has been appointed to lead the development of the mandatory training materials for COVID-19 immunisation providers. Healthcare professionals will not be able to administer any COVID-19 vaccines without having first completed the training modules.
Training for immunisation providers will include:
- handling and storage
- multi-dose vial (MDV) training
- delivery mechanisms of the vaccine
- administrative reporting including eligibility checking
- safety and surveillance monitoring and reporting for adverse events following immunisation
- communication.
COVID-19 and influenza vaccination requirements for aged care workers
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccination. But at this time AHPPC does not recommend mandating COVID-19 vaccination for the aged care workforce. For more information on the AHPPC decision visit the Department of Health website.
To learn more, visit the Department of Health’s COVID-19 vaccines website and subscribe to the COVID-19 Vaccines Update.