Vaccine rollout expanded to Victorians aged over 40
Victoria’s vaccine hotline and hubs have been overwhelmed after the green light was given to those aged over 40 to get the Pfizer jab.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Victoria’s vaccination centres have been sent into overdrive as the latest outbreak and release of Pfizer for people aged in their 40s puts a rocket under the rollout.
The vaccine hotline quickly became overwhelmed with people forced to wait more than two hours on the phone following the announcement on Thursday.
Health Minister Martin Foley said the state will double the number of operators to meet demand, after the vaccine rollout was expanded to 40-49 year olds, who will receive a Pfizer jab.
People wanting the shot in the arm must book via the vaccine hotline, with walk-ins only accepted for AstraZeneca jabs at state facilities.
“We are in the process of bringing in substantially more resources to the hotline,” Mr Foley said.
More than 30,400 Victorians got vaccinated on Wednesday, a record rate the state believes it can maintain.
Deputy Premier James Merlino ramped up his criticism of the federal government’s vaccine rollout, as he announced that one of the five reasons Victorians could leave their house during lockdown was to receive a jab.
“It has been delayed. That is a fact,” Mr Merlino said.
“If we had the vaccine, the Commonwealth’s vaccine program effectively rolled out, we may well not be here … talking about these circuit-breaker restrictions, that we must impose to keep our community safe.
“The only way through this pandemic is everyone getting vaccinated as quickly as you are eligible.”
But Scott Morrison dismissed the swipe, saying it was “hard to reconcile” that interpretation given international experience.
“I am pleased that, particularly in Victoria, more than half of those aged over 70 have been vaccinated,” the Prime Minister said.
Australia’s way of life had led to some hesitancy, he conceded, however he said this outbreak was a further reminder to get vaccinated as Covid-19 ravages the developed world.
Australia’s chief medical officer Paul Kelly said “some” of the older people in the state’s 34 active cases had received at least one vaccine dose.
The Victorian Vaccine Operations Centre on Thursday confirmed it had not run out of Pfizer vaccines and had 269,000 doses on hand.
An already scheduled delivery of 71,340 Pfizer doses will arrive in the state on Friday.
“There are 268,000 doses of vaccine available for Victoria to administer on top of what they are getting each week,” Commodore Eric Young said.
Victoria will also receive an extra 130,000 AstraZeneca vaccines in the next six weeks – increasing their allocation from 26,000 to 41,000 a week.
GP clinics are yet to be given the green light to offer Pfizer but the Altona North respiratory clinic will trial the transition in coming weeks. The federal government was grilled in Question Time, after it was revealed residents at 29 Victorian aged-care facilities were yet to be vaccinated.
Labor MP Josh Burns asked why the Jewish aged-care facility in Windsor, which was due to get first doses on May 11, had its appointment cancelled at the last minute. The facility is now among nine due to receive vaccines Friday.
Nursing home residents are also now exempt from advice requiring people who have had a flu shot to wait two weeks before having a jab.
“This will not have an impact on the effectiveness of the vaccines but will ensure that our most vulnerable are protected at a time when Covid-19 is a circulating more readily within the community,” Prof Kelly said in a letter.
At least 8400 people in disability care nationwide have now received a vaccine.
A queue at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday afternoon stretched about 150m.
Boronia electrician Shannon Haslam, 43, whose wife is a nurse, said he had long wanted to get the vaccine. The father of two hoped it would spur on workmates at food industry firm Costa Group in Mernda.
“This (the virus) is going to take off like wildfire again,’’ Mr Haslam said.
“It’s hard because so many people are frightened. But ... if you get Covid-19 you could end up in intensive care. You could end up a lot worse.”
More Coverage
Sutton dragged into legal fight on cancelled Robbie Williams gig
A war of words has broken out about former Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton’s involvement in the decision to pull the pin on Robbie Williams’ Grand Prix concert.
Melbourne lockdown protesters sue over cops’ ‘unjustified violence’
Protesters are taking legal action after a judge ruled Victoria Police used “unlawful” and “unjustified violence” the day of their arrests during the Covid-19 pandemic.