ACT residents working with vulnerable communities are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, as part of a push to get more jabs in arms.
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Social service employees, which includes crisis assistance and home care, as well as alcohol and drug support, are now eligible for Pfizer alongside aged care and disability care workers.
In a letter to managers and CEOs this week, ACT Health said workers already booked in could have their appointments brought forward.
"As you may be aware, 2000 COVID-19 Pfizer appointments (regardless of age) are reserved each week for all of Canberra's health, aged care and disability care workers," ACT Health wrote.
"Please advise your staff to ring or go online to book their appointment and identify as an aged, disability or healthcare worker, their vaccinations will be prioritised."
About 15,000 healthcare workers have received their first vaccine in the ACT, which has the third highest vaccine uptake in the country behind Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
Women's Legal Centre ACT CEO Elena Rosenman said services had been operating in preparation for another lockdown, meaning this "excellent initiative" had come as a huge relief.
"One of the most stressful parts of last year for services like ours was trying to plan for how we could keep running if swathes of our staff got sick," she said.
"The more staff we have vaccinated, the more certain we can be that we will be able to keep our services running no matter how this current wave hits Canberra.
"This is critical given our experience in the last lock down where domestic and family violence and request for help from our services increased."
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ACT Council of Social Services CEO Dr Emma Campbell said employees of these sectors were essential workers who engaged with highly vulnerable populations and keeping them safe was a priority.
"However, we are still awaiting clarification from the ACT government on whether workers in the early childhood education can access priority vaccination," Dr Campbell said.
"These essential workers also deserve protection as they remain on the front line supporting children and families even during COVID-19 outbreaks."
The Garran Access and Sensory clinic, which vaccinates people with disability, support staff, volunteers and carers, has extended its hours. It is now open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am to 3.30pm.
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