State makes a call on compulsory jab

The state’s Health Minister Martin Foley confirmed on Wednesday that all frontline workers would be offered the jab under the federal government’s phase 1a rollout plan, but it would not be a condition of employment.The revelation came as the Health Minister announced nine vaccination hubs across the state where those first eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine would need to go to receive the jab.“It will be an offer, we’re not compelling people to get the vaccine,” Mr Foley said.“We have no plans to make this a condition of employment by compulsory program. “We are confident that the group of workers and the group of Victorian community members who are being prioritised here will be more than keen.

“We think both the healthcare workers, the quarantine workers, the disability workers and residential aged care workers and the communities they look after will be very keen to be part of this program.”The Health Minister said the government had been engaging with frontline workers who had indicated they were “very keen” for the vaccination program to start. Historically, they have had an incredibly high level of take-up of vaccination programs in the past, he said.Monash Health, one of the nine vaccination hubs included in the rollout, has two minus 70C industrial fridges ready to store up to 180,000 doses of the vaccine.Mr Foley said he hoped to have Pfizer vaccine doses available by late February.

It’s expected to take about six weeks to vaccinate those eligible under the commonwealth’s phase 1a rollout.Those eligible include:Quarantine and border workers and all staff working in the hotel quarantine program; Frontline at-risk healthcare workers, including hospital staff working in COVID and suspected COVID wards, emergency department and ICU staff, staff at GP respiratory clinics and COVID-19 testing facilities, ambulance staff and paramedics; Aged care and disability care staff and residents.“We don’t know exactly when the vaccine will be made available,” Mr Foley said.“Our friends at the commonwealth have indicated in late February, and we’re working on the basis that as soon as the vaccine is made available we will be in a position to start that rollout.”
Have some COVID-19 vaccination concerns? Your toughest Australia vaccine rollout questions are answered here.
The Victorian vaccination hubs will be located across metropolitan and regional areas at Western Health, Austin Health, Monash Health, Barwon Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Latrobe Health, Bendigo Health, Ballarat Health and Albury-Wodonga Health.Two doses of the vaccine are required at least three weeks apart.The vaccination rollout announcement comes as Victoria recorded its 28th consecutive day of no new local cases on Wednesday, which means the state has effectively eliminated the virus for the second time.There are 21 active cases in Victoria, all in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
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