- Published:
- Wednesday 7 April 2021
The rollout of the Victorian-led component of the COVID-19 vaccination program is on time, on target and on track to deliver 300,000 total doses by 16 May.
This figure, which forecasts vaccine delivery at state commissioned vaccination sites, will ensure Victorians can be confident in how the Victorian Government’s rollout is progressing.
Victoria is also expanding the number of sites and outreach models for its vaccine delivery, with two new high-volume centres at the Melbourne Showgrounds and the Mercure Ballarat to be activated in the coming weeks.
These sites join five existing high-volume centres across the state plus dozens more hospital vaccination hubs, sub-hubs, and outreach delivery services currently in operation or preparing to come online.
Victorians living in public housing and included in Phase 1a and 1b will also be able to receive coronavirus vaccinations close to home through dedicated community health centres and mobile ‘pop up’ clinics.
This innovative, targeted approach recognises that many Victorians more vulnerable to coronavirus may not be able to travel long distances to get vaccinated due to carer obligations, disability or lack of transport options.
The community vaccination centres will be established in Prahran, Lilydale, Broadmeadows, West Melbourne and Deer Park, supported by community health partner agencies and using their local community expertise – with vaccinations already underway.
Mobile vaccination vans will also be used to provide outreach, partnering with local organisations and workplaces across the state.
As part of the Commonwealth’s rollout, Victoria is responsible for providing vaccinations to workers in health, emergency services and other critical industries and public sector aged care. As at 7 April, more than 120,000 vaccine doses have been administered at state commissioned sites.
Almost all Hotel Quarantine and port of entry workers have received their first dose of the vaccine, plus more than three-quarters of health workers in phase 1a. By the end of the next two weeks every public residential aged care facility will have been visited to deliver the first vaccine dose to residents.
Victoria is also already making considerable progress in vaccinating people in phase 1b populations, with around 40,000 doses administered to these Victorians to date.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier James Merlino
“Victoria’s vaccine rollout is time, on target and on track to deliver 300,000 total doses by the middle of May.”
“We understand the success of the rollout relies on Victorians having confidence in the program. With a clear, articulated and public statement of our aims, we’ll ensure Victorians understand exactly how we’re tracking.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Martin Foley
“We are in a position to administer 300,000 doses through to May and it is a testament to the hard work of health professionals at vaccination hubs across our state.”
“Our targeted approach will mean we’re reaching even more of the cohorts and communities we need to.”