Novavax available at jab hubs, GPs pharmacies from Monday

Unvaccinated Victorians will be able to get the long-awaited Novavax jab at state-run hubs, GP clinics and pharmacies from Monday.

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Unvaccinated Victorians will be able to get the Novavax jab at state-run jab hubs, GPs and pharmacies from Monday.

The vaccine will be available at more than 400 general practices and community pharmacies across the state, as well as the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, Sandown Racecourse in Springvale, Sunshine Hospital in St Albans, the former Ford factory in Geelong and the McIntosh Centre in Shepparton.

The state government will launch pop-up vaccination clinics over the coming weeks in parts of Melbourne where there has been “strong interest” in Novavax.

The vaccine is not currently approved for use as a third dose or for children, meaning it is only available for people who are aged over 18 and yet to have two shots of a vaccine.

It can be used with another approved Covid-19 vaccine as either a first or second dose.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended the Novavax vaccine be given in two doses at least three weeks apart.

It’s the fourth vaccine approved for use in Australia, along with AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna.

Health Minister Martin Foley said vaccination against Covid-19 is still recommended for those who have recently recovered from the illness, because any natural immunity gained from infection is only short term.

“For a small number of people, this will be the extra push they need to get vaccinated. With bookings now open, now is the time to go and get a jab,” he said.

“Getting a Covid-19 vaccine will help protect you and your family from getting seriously ill. If you’ve been sitting on the fence, please get vaccinated – it’s important for all of us.”

QUARANTINE HUB TO WELCOME FIRST RESIDENTS

Victoria’s purpose built quarantine facility at Mickleham will begin accepting its first residents from Monday.

As the trouble-plagued hotel quarantine is gradually phased out over the coming months, the hub will become the state’s sole quarantine site.

From April, the site will have capability to accommodate up to 1000 residents at any one time.

While it will predominantly host unvaccinated travellers, the facility can also accommodate eligible community members who are Covid positive but can’t isolate at home, such as healthcare workers.

Authorities have also flagged that it could also operate as emergency accommodation after natural disasters.

Covid Quarantine Victoria Commissioner Emma Cassar said unlike the hotel quarantine system, the hub has been designed in a way that places infection prevention and control at the heart of all its operations.

“The hub’s open-air setting will eliminate many of the challenges of hotel quarantine, with standalone cabins allowing for a constant flow of fresh air and no shaded ventilation systems among residents,” Ms Cassar said.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said the facility will be critical in any future pandemics.

“If only we had this at the start of March 2020,” she said.

“The Omicron variant has shown us we must continue to be flexible in our pandemic response - and the purpose-built Victorian Quarantine Hub will be vital to how we manage pandemics today and into the future.”

Ms Neville said a “relatively small number” of people - about 7 to 10 - will begin to use the facility on Monday. She said it was impossible to say how much the ongoing operating costs would be.

Victoria has recorded 6280 Covid cases and 20 deaths on Friday.

There are 365 people with Covid in hospital, with 55 in intensive care and 13 on ventilators.

The state has 48,420 active cases.

International students return

The peak university body has welcomed the return of students to campuses but says the sector faces ongoing challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Universities Australia said the return of 80,000 international students was especially good news after they were forced abroad for two years due to the country’s tough border measures.

“The strong numbers of returning students we’re seeing is indeed a milestone worth celebrating,” Universities Australia CEO Catriona Jackson said.

“We know there are students still to return, and we, as well as their domestic peers, stand ready to welcome them back.”

Thousands of international students will be back studying on-campus.

However, the university peak body said the pandemic still poses challenges for the industry, which saw 40,000 job losses last year.

“The sector, of course, faces a significant road to recovery and the full picture for 2022 and beyond will take time to form,” Ms Jackson said.

“Universities know they’re not out of the woods, confronting revenue hits and job losses as consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.”