Victoria prepared to assemble a healthcare army to administer coronavirus vaccine
A coronavirus vaccine is not expected until early next year, but an army of healthcare workers will be ready to roll it out when it’s ready.
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Victoria is preparing to assemble a healthcare army to administer a coronavirus vaccine.
The vaccine — which could give people a defence from the virus for up to five years — is not expected until early next year and has not yet been approved.
But it can be revealed work has already begun on making sure Victoria has enough health staff to administer the jabs when it gets the green light.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman told the Herald Sun: “We have started preparing for the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccination program, so that if a vaccine becomes available it can be administered to all Victorians as quickly as possible.”
“We have begun investigating potential training programs that may be required to ensure we have the right amount of health staff needed to administer a vaccine,’’ the spokesman said.
“Victoria already has pharmacists trained to provide immunisations which will also boost our workforce capacity.”
The Federal Government is preparing to finalise deals for a further two potential COVID-19 vaccines, meaning Australia will have access to four candidates undergoing advanced trials.
The Herald Sun can also reveal the Morrison Government has commissioned an assessment to ensure the nation’s health system is ready to make any vaccine.
The Federal Health Department is auditing the capacity for manufacturing of a vaccine and other treatments in Australia.
Australia’s vaccine manufacturer CSL is likely to start making doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine this month.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said he had “high confidence” COVID-19 vaccinations would begin in the first quarter of next year, with most Australians vaccinated within the year.
He said the Oxford vaccine – undergoing stage three trials — could give people a defence from the virus for up to five years.
“It’s likely to give significant protection, but we can’t say yet whether it will be an absolute protection,” Mr Hunt said.
“The initial and then the progressive results with immunity in T-cells, antibodies, are positive and in many ways more positive.
“What we want to do is give every Australian who seeks to be vaccinated that capacity over the course of the coming 12 months.”
Tender documents show the national vaccine rollout could be similar to that for influenza.
Experts have been asked to identify improvements that could be made in forecasting, supply, distribution, vaccine administration, communication and surveillance.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will take a vaccination rollout plan to national cabinet for approval before the end of the year.
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