Ted O’Brien MP, Federal Member for Fairfax, has welcomed the news that two towns in his electorate, Buderim and Woombye, will be among the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
As part of the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program, people in priority groups who are most at risk and who need protection the most will receive a vaccine first.
Mr O’Brien said the Government’s staged approach will ensure those who need the most protection get it first.
“From Monday, some of our most essential workers and vulnerable Australians in Buderim and Woombye will be among the first to be vaccinated, with more of our community to follow in the coming weeks and months.”
“The initial priority groups will include aged care and disability care residents and workers, frontline healthcare workers, and quarantine and border workers.”
The vaccination program will begin with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and include the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine from early March, following approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt reaffirmed that Australia’s vaccine strategy is strong and on schedule.
“The vaccination program will save and protect lives. Both of our vaccines will prevent serious illness. That is our primary goal,” the Minister added.
Vaccines will be available across additional settings including GP clinic and community pharmacy. The staged rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is guided by Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine National Rollout Strategy.
The aim of the vaccination program is to save and protect lives. To keep people out of intensive care and off ventilators. Both vaccines approved for use in Australia do that very well.
Find out more about the rollout and priority groups at: aus.gov.au