Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) has been confirmed as one of nine Victorian COVID-19 hospital vaccination hubs by the Minister for Health Martin Foley.
AWH anticipates the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine rollout will commence in March, with our Public Health Unit (PHU) taking responsibility for its distribution in our catchment. This includes the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Wodonga, Wangaratta, Alpine, Towong and Indigo.
"We are committed to ensuring that the community can access the vaccine locally, and are currently working with Murrumbidgee Local Health District for the vaccine rollout north of the border - in Albury and surrounding areas" Emma Poland, AWH's Chief Operating Officer, said.
Australia's COVID-19 vaccines will be available in phases, with the Commonwealth prioritising groups based on expert medical and public health advice.
As part of Phase 1a, the AWH Public Health Unit anticipate administering up to 1,000 doses a week, with priority frontline hospital and health care workers among the first to receive the vaccine as part of the staged roll-out.
"AWH has stood up a vaccination project team, who are working closely with the DHS to establish the program, including the safe handling, preparation, storage and management of the vaccine" Emma Poland said.
"Albury Wodonga Health already has a number of trained and accredited nurse immunisers, however we are currently seeking applications from Registered and Enrolled Nurses and Assistants in Nursing to join our PHU as part of the rollout of the vaccination program."
"As a major regional health service, we are proud and pleased to be a part of this program, and will actively ensure that the community are informed on the latest developments and health messaging."
Details on the location of the AWH COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination hub will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Those seeking further information can call AWH's COVID-19 hotline on 1300 205 492.
