Explained: How phase 1B of SA’S COVID-19 vaccination rollout will work

The national rollout of the COVID vaccine is about to ramp up, with the second phase to begin today. Here’s all you need to know about the phase 1B rollout.

Thousands of South Australians are eligible for the coronavirus vaccine from Monday as the country moves to the next phase of the national rollout, the 1B phase.

Those now eligible for vaccination include adults aged 70 and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 55 and older, and adults with a specified health condition.

Six million Australians are expected to receive the vaccine in the coming three months.

It comes after the Therapeutic Goods Administration on Sunday approved the manufacture of the vaccine in Australia, in a “critical and very exciting milestone in Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic”.

An expected 50,000,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be manufactured in Melbourne following the approval.

Who can get the vaccine from today?

• Adults aged 70 years and older
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over 55
• Adults with a specified medical condition
• Health care workers who weren’t included in the 1A rollout, including medical students who have placements in high-risk settings
• Critical and high-risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing

Where can I get my vaccine? Can I go to my GP office or do I have to go to a specialised clinic?

Clinics are being established in all regional, rural, and metropolitan areas and at first that’s where you’ll need to go to get your vaccination. But later in the year it will be available through GPs. Clinics that have already opened include:

Metro:

Royal Adelaide Hospital

Flinders Medical Centre

Women’s and Children’s Hospital

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Lyell McEwin Hospital

Regional:

Murray Bridge

Mount Gambier Hospital

Eyre Peninsula regional areas

Riverland General Hospital Berri

Port Pirie Hospital (from week commencing 22 March)

Port Augusta Hospital (from week commencing 22 March)

Whyalla Hospital (from week commencing 22 March)

SEARCH THE LIST BELOW FOR A CLINIC NEAR YOU:

How many people will be eligible for phase 1B in SA?

600,000 people

How many clinics will be distributing the vaccine this week?

80 will roll out the vaccine this week

Should I still get the flu jab?

Yes, but the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is advising Australians to leave a two-week period between receiving the flu and coronavirus vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines can be taken either side of the flu jab, but experts say if you’re eligible for the COVID vaccine you should get that one first. If you’re not, book in for the flu jab.

Will flooding in other parts of the country affect distribution of the vaccine in SA?

Not currently but there are contingency plans in place if it does.

Will SA use major buildings as vaccination hubs, as has been done with the Convention Centre in Melbourne?

Dr Emily Kirkpatrick, deputy chief public health officer, said SA Health were exploring large-scale vaccination clinics.

How many GP clinics will be on board with the vaccination rollout within the next month?

Dr Kirkpatrick said most GP clinics will assist the COVID vaccination rollout in coming weeks

Will the vaccine start being made in Australia to speed up the process?

Victoria was yesterday approved to begin manufacturing the vaccine. There are no plans for making vaccines in SA at this point.

Has everyone in phase 1A of the vaccine rollout had their jab?

No, but SA Health said they are working to prioritise people in 1A, particularly over 80s.

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