Today, National Cabinet met to discuss the nation’s vaccination roll-out.
The AHPPC has been requested to provide further advice on mandatory vaccination for aged care workers and subject to that advice I expect that we will introduce mandatory vaccinations for aged care workers once a National timeline has been agreed.
While here in Tasmania, we have stepped in to help vaccinate our aged care residents and staff, there is still more work to do and I once again encourage all aged care workers to get the vaccination to protect themselves and those they care for.
As we have consistently seen across the world, aged care homes are especially vulnerable to the serious impacts of COVID-19, and we must do all we can to ensure as many people, both staff and patients, are vaccinated as quickly as possible.
Our vaccination program has been very successful so far, and Tasmania’s take up leads the nation, with around 120,000 Tasmanians, or over 27 per cent of Tasmanians aged 16 years and over, having received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Today, National Cabinet also decided to revise the future phases of the vaccine rollout to open up access to:
To help us with the additional demand, a new community Pfizer clinic is opening up in Moonah from next week, which will have extended opening hours, including weekends.
Other clinics coming online soon include a Pfizer clinic in Burnie which is open now and an AstraZeneca clinic in Scottsdale in late June. In addition to our existing community clinics, we have over 93 GPs involved in the Tasmanian rollout with more looking to participate.
TTo book your vaccination, you can visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or ring the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
We thank Tasmanians for doing the right thing, and encourage everyone to continue getting vaccinated when it’s your turn, and keep practicing COVID-safe behaviours.
National Cabinet also discussed the disaster payment arrangements put in place to assist Victorian businesses impacted by the snap lockdown.
Tasmania has agreed to a program that would see the Commonwealth responsible for income supports and the State Government responsible for business supports should a similar lockdown be required again here in Tasmania, and local businesses were again impacted.
And finally as a reminder as we head into the winter months, please continue to wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, if you’re unwell stay at home and don’t go to work, and if you display even the mildest symptoms, please, get a test.