Tasmania vaccination rollout rolls on

Tasmania’s vaccination rollout program is rolling on, with the opening of four new community COVID-19 vaccination clinics last week.

A clinic opened at the Tasmanian Turf Club in Mowbray on Friday, with around 100 people booked in for their first dose of the vaccination the same day, and a further 130 on Saturday.

Others opened at Kingston near Hobart last Monday, at Brighton last Friday and the New Norfolk Government clinic opened on Sunday.

“Following these, the next Government clinic to be set up will be in the North West and we are currently finalising the most appropriate location, which we expect to announce this week,” said Health Minister, Sarah Courtney.

These clinics are vaccinating Tasmanians who come under the categories which fall into the Phase 1b of our roll-out:

· elderly people aged 70 and over;

· remaining health care workers not vaccinated in Phase 1a;

· younger adults with underlying medical conditions;

· Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 55 and over; and

· critical and high-risk workers, including defence, police, fire and emergency services and meat processing.

“Over 24,000 appointments for those eligible under phase 1b of the rollout are being loaded into our State booking system and will become available in coming weeks,” the Minister said.

“We will set up additional clinics as vaccine supplies from the Australian Government ramp up over the next couple of months.

“What is very pleasing is that more GPs will be joining the rollout program over the next few weeks and Tasmania’s three GP-led Respiratory Clinics at Derwent Park, Launceston and St Helens are also participating, giving Tasmanians a range of options over the few months.

“We remain on track to vaccinate around 180,000 Tasmanians in phase 1b by mid-July.

“Please be patient when trying to make a booking as it may take some time due to demand.

“Importantly, if you don’t have a booking, please don’t just turn up at the clinics, you will not be able to be vaccinated at the clinics unless you have a booking.”

Meanwhile, Tasmanian businesses, including hospitality and events, are being asked to register for the Check in TAS QR code, which will become mandatory for use by May 1, 2021.

To date, there has been more than 235,000 downloads of the Check in TAS app, with 6,248 venues registered and a total of 782,766 vaccinations to date.

It only takes a few minutes to apply online for a Check in TAS QR code, and the majority of codes are issued within 24 hours by email to you.  Just go to www.coronavirus.tas.gov.auto register for Check in TAS.