There have been 2,663,221 vaccinations completed as increasing supplies of vaccine are delivered to more than 5200 sites across the country.
As of today, 4,620,108 doses of vaccine have been delivered to those sites by the Australian Government, with 4,086,946 doses available for use.
The Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) continues to play a lead role in the vaccination rollout. It is working in close partnership with the states, territories and the primary care sector to safely, securely and efficiently store, transport, deliver and administer COVID-19 vaccines across Australia.
Operations Coordinator of the VOC, Commodore Eric Young, CSC, RAN, said: 'Last week, we had a major boost to the vaccination program, significantly increasing the allocation of Pfizer to states and territories, and AstraZeneca to General Practices.
'We are now providing more vaccines, to protect more Australians as we start the next stage of our vaccination program for those 50 and over, while ensuring our priority populations can continue to access vaccines as soon as possible.'
To support the ramp up, this week the VOC will:
- Triple the allocated doses from 50 to 150 per week for 3000 lower volume General Practices.
- Double the allocated doses from 100 to 200 per week for 1000 medium-volume General Practices.
- Double the Pfizer doses to states and territories to support vaccination for those under 50.
The Eligibility Checker, available at www.health.gov.auis being progressively updated, so that all eligible Australians know how and where to access a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes finalising Pfizer locations for those under the age of 50, in partnership with the states and territories. In the meantime, states and territories will continue to work directly with the relevant sectors to manage bookings for Pfizer clinics.
Supplying and producing the vaccine
Last week, 351,000 doses of Pfizer and 736,900 doses of AstraZeneca were released. In addition, over the coming days, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will conduct sample testing of 351,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine which arrived in Australia today and 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine produced onshore by CSL, prior to releasing the vaccines for distribution.
Distributing the vaccine
Last week, 5,000 deliveries were made across the country, distributing nearly 560,000 doses of vaccine and associated consumables. This week, to support the recalibration of the vaccine rollout over 900,000 doses will be distributed across the country. This is the largest number of doses delivered in a week, with a 164% increase from last week. The VOC will be working closely with delivery partners DHL and Linfox to ensure the deliveries are all made successfully.
- Ordering and Delivery. 99.99% of orders were completed last week with a single order to be finalised today. The VOC continues to work with clinics and delivery sites to implement ongoing and positive improvements in the ordering system and certainty around orders placed, particularly as we continue to increase the doses delivered.
- Consumables. All consumables were delivered last week to support administering of vaccines across Australia this week.
- Australia's assistance to the Pacific.The VOC continues to work closely with the Departments of Health, Defence and Foreign Affairs and Trade supporting vaccine supply to Pacific partners in need, and have made 38,000 doses available for distribution to the Pacific, including PNG, Timor Leste and Fiji. Another 10,000 doses will be provided to DFAT this week.
- Cold chain. The VOC continues to work closely with stakeholders to handle cold chain queries. A comprehensive cold chain management and investigation process is in place to ensure the safety of the vaccine. Where a site is affected, clear guidance is provided in relation to the continued use of the vaccine, or the need to be returned, including replacement of any vaccines.
Administering the vaccine
We have 4394 General Practices, 136 GPRCs and 152 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) on board this week, along with 534 state and territory sites, taking the total number of vaccination sites across the country to 5,227.
Last week, for the first time, more than 400,000 doses were administered across the country, with 2,663,221 total doses of vaccine now administered. With Phase 2a opening up to those 50 and over, we have also seen positive uptake from that cohort, contributing to the increase in vaccinations.
With our vaccine workforce service providers, we continue to focus on those most at risk in our Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF), and have now completed first dose visits to 1,911 facilities (74%) and 1,330 second dose visits (52%). We are also ramping up our visits to disability residents with complex needs who require in-reach services.
The VOC remains focussed on supporting vaccinations for our most vulnerable Australians, every day.
About the Vaccine Operations Centre
