Coronavirus vaccine SA: GPs to get Pfizer vials to boost jab rollout as new Olympic swimming exemption row erupts

SA GPs will administer a Pfizer Covid jab under official plans to significantly widen choice as the state’s vaccine rollout surges.

South Australian GPs will administer a Pfizer Covid jab under official plans to significantly widen choice as the state’s vaccine rollout surges.

Commonwealth officials are seeking applications from approved medical practices to give at least 150 Pfizer doses a week, from as early as July for people aged up to 49.

Currently GPs only can deliver AstraZeneca vials for patients older than 50.

The details emerged as a new row erupted over the swimming Olympic trials due to start in Adelaide on Thursday.

Swimming Australia was told its refusal to adopt strict Covid protocols – successfully used by the AFL – was the reason why 12 Victorian Olympic hopefuls were denied an exemption to compete in the national swimming trials starting in Adelaide on Thursday.

Swimming Australia refused to adopt SA Health’s sterile corridors and segregation from other swimmers.

“Event organisers were unable to implement changes suggested by SA Health for the event which has resulted in 12 Victorian swimmers unable to participate,” an SA Health statement said.

Swimming Australia said implementing a sterile corridor would be impossible.

It is understood swimming officials indicated to the state government that priority had already been given to an elite group of athletes before lockdown.

Swimmer Mack Horton will compete in Adelaide. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Doctors say the federal Department of Health plans will allow more vaccinations after the rollout was widened to the 40-49 age group.

They also expressed hope the rollout could be expanded to people in their 30s or younger in the “near future”.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration last month approved “flexible” freezer storage of Pfizer vaccines from five days to a 31 days, in what GPs described as a “game changer”.

It extends the approved storage period of an unopened thawed vial at 2-8C or in a normal refrigerator after being removed from deep-freeze conditions.

A federal Health Department spokeswoman said vaccine supply would dictate which GPs would be part of the expansion.

“This will facilitate broad access for eligible priority populations aged under 50,” she said. “People 50 years and over will continue to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“(We) will continue to map vaccine supply and demand, and work with states and territories to identify access gaps, ensure comprehensive coverage and identify any further opportunities to broaden Pfizer access.”

She said it was anticipated all approved general practices would be approved for the Pfizer vaccine by October.

Premier Steven Marshall and chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier at Wayville vaccination Clinic on Tuesday. Picture: Michael Marschall

The state’s vaccine rollout, which has come under fire for being sluggish, is ramping up, delivering 375,722 doses and 135,642 by SA Health.

A record 10,667 patients were vaccinated on Tuesday, almost half of them by SA Health.

Nearly 30,000 patients have been jabbed at the Adelaide Showgrounds.

Data shows almost 6000 people have gone to the Noarlunga mass hub and a further 3772 inoculated at the large Playford clinic in just over a week since it launched.

The Opposition has SA Health’s second-worst vaccine rate as data show more than 83,000 vials are in stockpile

More than 7000 tests also occurred on Tuesday.

Premier Steven Marshall said on Wednesday that plans for rolling the vaccine to people under 30 would be made on health advice, after WA announced vaccination for that age cohort.

He said national cabinet would discuss plans for Australians who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to get a special certificate.

A man, in his 60s was discharged from the Royal Adelaide Hospital after a week as SA Health reported a new case of a traveller aged in his 40s.

Originally published as Coronavirus vaccine SA: GPs to get Pfizer vials to boost jab rollout as new Olympic swimming exemption row erupts