The ACT Government is ramping up their messaging encouraging Canberrans to get their COVID-19 vaccinations, with Chief Minister Andrew Barr hoping the ACT could have 70% of people vaccinated by “early summer”.
He said Canberrans’ willingness to get their jab has given the Government confidence the ACT will reach the 70-80% vaccination targets set out in the national plan “ahead of most other states and territories”.
“It’s a race; I think it’s a race Canberrans can win.”
It comes as 11,500 Canberrans in their 30s made vaccination appointments this morning, more than double the ACT’s highest ever day of vaccination bookings, with some frustrated by delays as thousands tried to book in at once.
“There will always be some delays. It’s not possible for everyone to simultaneously book at once in the same sessions so we are managing that,” said Mr Barr.
“11,500 vaccine bookings in the five hours this morning is pretty ample demonstration of just both the strength of our community response and the ability of the system to deal with that many bookings in such a short time.”
The enthusiasm from the 30-39-year-old cohort is expected to continue with younger ages groups too, and the vaccine becoming available to them is entirely dependent on Pfizer supplies from the Federal Government, the Chief Minister said.
“It’s a week-by-week proposition and as soon as we are in a position to further open up Pfizer vaccines to 16-29-year-olds, we will.”
Australia’s vaccine advisory group yesterday approved the Pfizer jab for at-risk 12-15-year-olds and ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said this would be a part of the ACT program from Monday next week.
Mr Barr said the ACT would need to see a continued, steady stream of other age groups getting vaccinated to reach its targets, but with more people due soon for the second AstraZeneca shot, the fully vaccinated levels would “start to catch up with our first doses… so there’s cause for optimism”.
He said Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s suggestion of incentives for people getting vaccinated could be part of the solution.
“We need to work through the detail of all of that, but I come back to the very simple message that vaccination protects yourself, protects those closest to you, and protects the broader community.”
Find more about booking a COVID-19 vaccination here.
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