News

Orange aged care services are set for the safe roll out of the Phase 1A of the COVID-19 vaccine starting this Friday 26^th February 2021.

Federal Member for Calare and Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education, the Hon. Andrew Gee MP said today that the roll out of Pfizer/BioNTech (Pfizer) vaccine is a game changer in our fight against COVID-19.

“The Primary Health Network has advised that from Friday, our most vulnerable elderly residents in nursing homes, people with disabilities in residential facilities and our front-line workers will be first cab off the rank to receive the Pfizer vaccine”, Mr Gee said.

“While aged care facilities in Orange area are on the list for the roll out starting Friday, other communities in the region will follow shortly after that. No community will miss out. I would urge everyone to wait patiently in the queue and get vaccinated when their turn comes. The vaccinations are voluntary. They are safe and I am encouraging everyone to get one.

“There are some crazy stories out there but I am here to tell you there is no conspiracy and the Government won’t be implanting a microchip in your arm! I’ll be getting a shot when my time comes around”, Mr Gee said.

The Australian Government is making arrangements for more than 500 medical professionals to travel to towns and suburbs around the country to deliver the Pfizer vaccines.

Together with the staff in aged care and disability facilities, arrangements will be made for consent forms to be signed before the vaccine is administered.

Mr Gee said that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration following clinical trials.

“It is important to remember that the vaccines have been cleared as being safe and effective with clinical trials indicating that the Pfizer vaccine would prevent symptomatic COVID-19 in 95 per cent of recipients.

“This is the single biggest and most complex vaccine roll out that our nation has ever undertaken.

“Nationally we have seen 1600 doses on day one, 6000 on day two and 10,000 on day three. And tomorrow, the vaccine roll out in Orange will increase these numbers.

“Compared to the rest of the world, we are very fortunate that Australia is now in a situation where we have no community transmission of COVID-19 and that means that the roll out of the vaccine can take place in a methodical, safe and effective fashion”, Mr Gee said.

Western NSW Primary Health Network acting CEO, Robert Strickland, says there is a strong focus on ensuring COVID-19 vaccinations are delivered correctly and safely.

“Despite the enormous logistics of delivering COVID-19 vaccinations in local Residential Aged Care Facilities we expect vaccinations to commence this Friday. It is vitally important that this is done and that we continue to communicate with all stakeholders.”

 “I commend the Commonwealth Department of Health for its efforts in ensuring the safety of our aged care residents during this first phase of COVID-19 vaccinations for our region,” Mr Strickland said.

Mr Strickland added, “I also applaud the management, staff, residents and residents’ families of the Residential Aged Care Facilities of Orange for their preparation and appreciation of the importance of this next step in our region’s COVID-19 response.”

Background:

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced that approximately 80,000 doses will be released of the Pfizer vaccine in the first week, across Australia. Approximately 50,000 vaccines will be made available for the states and territories for hotel quarantine and border workers and frontline healthcare workers. Approximately 30,000 vaccines will be made available for the Commonwealth vaccine in-reach workforce to aged care and disability care residents.

Find out more about the rollout and priority groups at: aus.gov.au