Phase 1B of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout begins today, with police, defence, health workers and anyone aged over 70 now able to book in to receive the jab.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 55 are also eligible for the vaccine under the new phase of the rollout, along with adults of any age with an underlying medical condition which makes them vulnerable to the virus.
The phase covers around six million Australians, with more than a thousand GP clinics – 338 in NSW, 285 in Victoria, 247 in Queensland, 87 in WA, 84 in SA, 36 in Tasmania, 18 in ACT and 10 in NT – now stocked with the first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preparation for an influx of immunisations.
The rollout from today coincides with Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s mission that the flow of vaccines has been affected by supply issues.
“We already advised back in February that the four million target would not be hit because of the disruption in supply that occurred, and that target would be pushed back,” the PM said.
“But the vaccination program will continue to rollout and will reach all Australians with the first dose by the end of October, and every single day we’ll work hard to deliver that vaccination program.”
How to book your COVID-19 jab:
- Go to the government’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility calculator to see if you can get the jab under Phase 1B.
- Make sure your Medicare details are up to date.
- You will then be contacted when the vaccine is available to you.
- After you’ve received the vaccine, you’ll receive an immunisation history statement to prove your vaccination status.
- You can also get proof of your vaccination from Medicare through MyGov or by calling Medicare.
- If you have any concerns or questions, call the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 020 080 – the number operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Melbourne-made doses of the vaccine are expected to start being produced from today, with the hope that one million will be produced each week.
