The ACT Health Minister says the government will push ahead with the opening of another mass vaccination centre, despite the recommendation against under-50s getting the AstraZeneca vaccine.
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A vaccination clinic similar to the one at the Garran Surge Centre has been slated to open at Calvary Public Hospital Bruce at the end of April.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith on Wednesday said there had been no change to that plan, even after Australia's vaccine advisory panel recommended people under 50 get the Pfizer vaccine over the AstraZeneca vaccine because of an extremely low risk of blood clots.
"We do not anticipate an impact to appointments or services following recent changes to advice around AstraZeneca," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
The minister said a small number of ACT healthcare workers had expressed concern about the AstraZeneca vaccine.
"We will continue to provide information and advice to the workforce and encourage any worker who has a concern to speak directly to their manager," she said.
Vaccination hubs at walk-in centres are expected to follow the one at Calvary.
Australia is set to shift to mass coronavirus vaccination clinics in a bid to roll out more jabs under the troubled immunisation program.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday abandoned his opposition to major vaccine hubs, which Labor and doctors have pushed for.
The Prime Minister changed his position after announcing he would meet with state and territory leaders twice a week to get the rollout back on track.
"We'll need to change our rollout to go to mass vaccination options, and that will have to be done in partnership with states and territories," he told The West Australian.
Mr Morrison said offering all Australians at least one shot of a vaccine by the end of this year remained a possibility.
"At this stage, there are too many uncertainties, I think, to commit to a timetable like that," he said.
The Prime Minister has spoken to at least one state premier about making mass immunisation an option from June or July to vaccinate those over 50 who weren't vaccinated during the initial phases.
"There will be vaccines, we believe, to get that happening," he told reporters in Perth.
The federal government is facing criticism over its decision to dump a vaccine rollout timetable after falling short of its initial targets.
Mr Morrison attributed the delays to 3 million doses failing to arrive from Europe, and medical advice for people under 50 to avoid the AstraZeneca jab.
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The role of pharmacists in the rollout is also being reconsidered after the recommendations about AstraZeneca threw the program into chaos.
The federal government is attempting to complete vaccinations for the most vulnerable people by the middle of the year.
The next national cabinet meeting has been brought forward to Monday and after that will meet twice a week.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr on Wednesday said the territory would work with other jurisdictions to put forward "practical proposals to the Commonwealth to expedite the national vaccine rollout".
Mr Morrison said the more regular national cabinet meetings would continue "until we solve the problems and get the program back on track".
Labor leader Anthony Albanese ridiculed the Morrison government for describing the increased meetings as shifting to a "war footing".
"Under Scott Morrison, we will meet them on the beaches, we will meet them on the phone hook-ups," he told reporters in Perth.
"They put all their eggs in the AstraZeneca basket and then the chickens have come home to roost."
Mr Albanese said Mr Morrison was returning to the old playbook of creating more meetings with state and territory leaders so he could pass the buck.
"He always looks to blame someone else," he said.
"The vaccines are too important for him to play political games."
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Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
