The ACT’s second major Pfizer vaccination hub will open at the Canberra Airport next week, the ACT Government announced today.
Now that people under 60 cannot receive the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, the Federal Government will supply more doses of Pfizer – but the amount is beyond the capacity of the Garran surge centre alone to deliver, said Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Hence the need for a new facility.
The Commonwealth Government will supply 3,000 Pfizer doses per week, which will give the ACT an ongoing supply of more than 10,000 Pfizer doses per week during July, and the capacity to book an extra 1,500 appointments, Mr Barr said.
The airport vaccination hub – opening on Tuesday 29 June – will operate 7 days a week, from 8am to 3.30pm. It will be set up and staffed by Canberra Health Services.
The Commonwealth Government is paying for the vaccines, and the ACT and Federal governments are sharing the costs of infrastructure.
“It’s really pleasing that the Commonwealth has given us that extra supply and we’re able to open this new clinic,” said ACT Health Minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith. “More eligible Canberrans will have access to COVID-19 vaccines through this new vaccination clinic.”
As a jurisdiction, the ACT was doing “incredibly well” at vaccinations, Ms Stephen-Smith said. More than 24,000 people have had both doses of the vaccine, and more than 72,000 vaccine doses have been delivered through clinics. Ms Stephen-Smith said she was pleased to see such strong demand and little hesitancy.
The ACT Government will expand the program as it gets more supplies, Mr Barr said. He predicted vaccinations would build momentum from July to September, and peak in the last three months of the year, as the supply chain built up and multiple vaccines became available.
“The Commonwealth’s stated goal … is that everyone who wants their first dose should have access to one in 2021,” Mr Barr said.
Pfizer is the preferred dose for people under 60. Last week, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) raised the minimum age for the Astra-Zeneca vaccine from 50 to 60 due to the risk of rare but serious blood clotting. The ACT Government has contacted all 2,700 residents aged in their fifties booked to receive this vaccine.
The Mass Vaccination Clinic at Calvary Public Hospital Bruce will administer the Astra-Zeneca vaccine for people over 60. Ms Stephen-Smith said last week’s announcement had freed up appointments; now was the time to book for this vaccine, she suggested.
Mr Barr encouraged Canberrans to book an appointment.
“The quicker we can get our population vaccinated, the safer we’ll be as a community, and the closer we will be to removing the range of COVID restrictions that are placed upon us as Canberrans and as Australians.”
People can book their appointment online, using the ACT Government booking system MyDHR, or by phoning the ACT Government COVID-19 Vaccination line on 02 5124 7700, 7am to 7pm daily. People can request a call back and will not lose their place in the queue.
For more news:
