Victoria announces ambitious plan to vaccinate Year 11 and 12 students before October
An ambitious plan has been revealed to get Victoria’s senior students vaccinated within weeks amid a desperate push for children to go back to school before exams.
Victorian officials have revealed an ambitious plan to get the state’s senior students vaccinated within weeks amid a desperate public push for students to go back to school before crucial exams in October.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday announced from September 7, Year 11 and 12 students would get priority access to the vaccine through the state’s government hubs, where they would receive one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Mr Andrews said it was hoped the majority of senior students would be vaccinated with at least one dose by October 5 – the same date as the GAT.
“We think the lion’s share of our Year 12s will come through the state hubs, whether they are government schools, independent or Catholic schools,” he said.
“That is very important.”
Victoria recorded 120 new cases on Wednesday, with discussion about the state opening up dashed.
Lockdown will continue for metropolitan Melbourne until between 70-80 per cent of residents have received their second dose.
Mr Andrews also confirmed there would be no face-to-face learning for Term 3, with the government to next week outline what the school term would look like for students.
The government has been under pressure to allow senior school students to return to face-to-face learning, but Mr Andrews would not confirm a plan for how that could happen or when.
“I am not in a position, giving just how rapidly things are changing, to outline that at the moment. We have school holidays between some weeks of study, school holidays between now and term four,” he said.
“I know students, teachers and, of course, parents are keen to have as much certainty and clarity as possible as to what the rest of the school year looks like.”
From September 7, schools will be reaching out to families and students regarding the state’s detailed plan to have senior students vaccinated in state hubs, with no cost to them.
It’s hoped most senior students will be vaccinated in time for the GAT on October 5.
Students will also have the option to organise an appointment privately through their GP or pharmacist.
“The key point here is we will vaccinate our year 12s and we will get that done in time and, again, next week and in coming days we will have more to say about how we will do the balance of year 11, year 10, all the way down to our 12-year-old students,” Mr Andrews said.
“Getting that done is very important.”
State’s dramatic plan for housing crisis
One Aussie state has unveiled a drastic plan to help young people currently locked out of the housing market – but it’s earned the ire of some and led to fierce protests.
Arson twist in bikie-linked gym attack
Police are investigating after a gym linked to a former bikie was found ablaze just days after the building was ramraided by arsonists.
Shock death as storms smash southeast
Wild weather across Australia’s southeast this weekend has turned deadly – with police confirming a camper has died after being crushed by a falling tree.