The rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Canberra is set to begin sooner than expected and will be administered at the same location as the Pfizer jab, ACT Health announced today, 4 March.
The COVID-19 Surge Centre on Garran Oval will offer both vaccines from next week, with separate sections of the building devoted to the administration of the different vaccines.
It was previously reported ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith intended to use two separate locations as Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccination hubs, in line with federal government advice.
In a statement today, ACT Health assured the joint vaccination hub will have separate entrances for each vaccine, with clear signage to direct people to the correct service.
The Garran location will no longer operate as a testing site, to make space for the ramped up vaccination program, with the change to take effect from 5pm on Monday 8 March.
The AstraZeneca vaccine was approved mid-February, and the first shipment landed less than a fortnight later on Sunday 28 February.
Like the Pfizer vaccine, two doses of AstraZeneca will be required.
The ACT Government will continue to work with the Commonwealth Government to finalise plans for the roll out of AstraZeneca in the ACT.
ACT is currently in Phase 1a of its COVID-19 vaccination schedule, prioritising quarantine and border workers, health care staff working in high-risk locations, residents and staff of aged care and disability residential facilities.
Phase 1b will vaccinate adults aged over 70, other health care workers, First Nations people over 55, adults with an underlying medical condition such as a disability, and critical workers including defence, police, fire and emergency services.
The general population in Canberra will be vaccinated in Phase 2 in the second half of the year.
For more information or to find out where to get tested, visit covid19.act.gov.au.Â
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