SHUT DOWN: 400 Tasmanians join back-up Covid vaccination list in one day
A form allowing Tasmanians under 50 to skip the coronavirus vaccination queue has been taken offline after it was inundated with hopeful applicants yet to receive their jab.
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UPDATE
May 27, 2021 5.36pm:
A form allowing Tasmanians under 50 to skip the coronavirus vaccination queue has been taken down after it was inundated with hopeful applicants yet to receive their jab.
Public Health has confirmed 400 Tasmanians registered for the Pfizer hub back-up vaccination lists in the space of one day after the website was shared by media outlets.
State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks explained the list was created to reduce wastage of Pfizer vaccine doses and give vaccines to people, including frontline health workers, who were able to turn up at short notice if other appointments had fallen through.
“This ensures that when the last vial of vaccine for the day is drawn up, all doses are
used which is critically important,” she said.
“Similar back-up lists are used by other jurisdictions for the same purpose.”
Ms Morgan-Wicks confirmed there were now more than 1300 eligible registered people.
“On average, there are only about two people a day at each hub required as backups, meaning we now have many weeks of backups available if required.”
The Commander said Tasmanians’ willingness to get the jab was positive, but said the list was now closed for further registrations.
“People who are eligible for a Pfizer vaccine and who have registered as a back-up
by using the link should remember it is a back-up list only and they may not be
required if appointments are fully attended,” she said.
People can book appointments via the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or via coronavirus.tas.gov.au
EARLIER:
May 27, 2021 2.44pm:
A form allowing Tasmanians to skip the coronavirus vaccination queue is circulating online.
Designed as a way to use up surplus supplies of the Pfizer vaccine at the end of the day, the form is described as an “Emergency List” for people under 50 who can get to the hospital in a relatively short time frame.
“Our Tasmanian Covid-19 vaccination program is progressing well with Phase 1a and 1b cohorts currently receiving their first and second doses,” the page reads.
“Some days, however, we have a small number of excess Covid-19 Pfizer vaccines which need to be used at the end of the day, mostly due to no-shows on the day.
“Once the doses are thawed they must be used within a fairly short time frame and we of course don’t want to see any dose go to waste.”
Premier Peter Gutwein said although anyone could view the form, only certain people were eligible for the last-minute jab.
“The arrangements are such that potentially anyone that’s close to the hospital like Police or WorkSafe Tasmania for example can apply to be on the list and they can utilise that remaining dose so we don’t waste anything,” he said.
State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said the process was used in NSW and other states.
“We have had an internal register that has been running,” she said.
“Certainly we’re happy to have a look at that list and see if it’s of benefit to open it up more broadly now to the public.”
Ms Morgan-Wicks said proximity to the hospital would still be a prerequisite, and said there was no guarantee those signing up would receive a vaccination.
“It’s just a last resort list,” she said.
Public Health is working on a new link for its website, which we will post later today.
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