Vaccine only weeks away from Geelong distribution

The Geelong region is on track to begin rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine within weeks.

The Geelong region is on track to begin rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine within weeks.

Barwon Health is expecting to begin administering vaccines in late February or early March.

V-Day will rely on 80,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine arriving from Europe within days and then passing all necessary tests.

Frontline healthcare staff, hotel quarantine workers and people living and working in aged care will be among the first group to receive their Belgium-made doses.

Scott Morrison has also indicated he would be among them as a show of confidence in the vaccine and Australia’s health system.

Good news is also expected regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine in the coming days, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration expected to announce its decision on the rollout of the Oxford-developed shot.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Sunday confirmed the Pfizer shipment was on its way but would not give an exact date for its arrival due to the “highly competitive global” situation.

Originally published as Vaccine only weeks away from Geelong distribution