FEATURE

COVID-19 Vaccination Update

The COVID-19 Stakeholder meeting was held on Monday 21 June which was facilitated by the Secretary of Health and the Minister of Health. The Director of Public Health highlighted that the main threat of COVID-19 in Tasmania is a positive interstate visitor. It was advised that Tasmania will receive visitors from Victoria beginning Tuesday 22 June 2021 following the recent COVID-19 outbreak.

To date over 192,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered in Tasmania and is likely to reach 200,000 by the end of the week. It is anticipated that 35% of the Tasmanian population will be vaccinated by mid-August 2021.

The State vaccination clinics will now be focused on Pfizer vaccination with Astra Zeneca vaccine delivery finishing in the next 4 weeks in the State clinics. GP’s will continue to deliver Astra Zeneca, however, from July 2021 some GP’s will begin delivering Pfizer vaccines which will then lead to Pfizer eventually being the predominate vaccine by late October/ November 2021.

An additional 11 GP services are now able deliver vaccines, including in areas where there has not been a practice offering vaccines previously (e.g., Bothwell).

Pharmacists have been approved by the Director of Public Health to assist in the state vaccination clinics to aid in reducing the reliance on nursing staff, particularly in the winter period, and approval for Enrolled Nurses to assist under the supervision of a Registered Nurse will also soon be considered.

In-reach vaccinations will be considered by the State for Residential Aged Care Facilities if staff and/or residents are requiring vaccination. Aged Care providers are encouraged to contact the Department of Health hotline to arrange this.

Updates correct as at 24 June 2021.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary

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Member Support Team: The ANMF Tasmanian Branch is 8000 plus members strong! Supporting nurses, midwives, and care workers as the only union in Tasmania employing nurses and care workers to represent members. This is why our Organisers and Member Support Team are uniquely positioned to understand your experiences, represent you in your workplace, and offer industrial advice that’s relevant to you. Please contact our Member Support Team if you need workplace support, would like to discuss any matters or raise a concern. Alternatively, you can send an email outlining your concerns to our team - membersupport@anmftas.org.au. Email is the preferred and fastest way of contacting the team, however if your matter is urgent, please phone (03) 6223 6777 or 1800 001 241 if you are outside of Hobart.

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