PFIZER-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines will be arriving in Shepparton in the coming weeks, with front-line healthcare workers and public aged care residents first in line to receive the jab from the Goulburn Valley vaccine hub.
The roll-out of the vaccines began in Victoria Monday morning, with the head of infection prevention at Monash Health in Melbourne, Professor Rhonda Stuart, the first Victorian recipient of the vaccine.
Trialling an outreach model to be implemented across regional Victoria, Geelong’s Barwon Health commenced its public sector residential aged care program this week.
Shepparton’s GV Health will operate a vaccine hub in Shepparton and enable mobile outreach teams to health services and public sector residential aged care facilities in Shepparton, Numurkah, Nathalia, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Benalla, Mansfield, Yea, Eildon, Alexandra, Kilmore, Seymour, Tatura, Rushworth and Kyabram.
“We are excited that the first COVID-19 vaccine is arriving in our region in the coming weeks, and we thank our front-line workers for leading the way and helping to keep us all safe,” GV Health chief executive, Matt Sharp, said.
According to GV Health’s COVID-Response executive manager, Alicia Cunningham, the exact timing of when initial doses will arrive in Shepparton is still being confirmed with the Department of Health.
The Pfizer vaccine was the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Two doses of the vaccine are required at least three weeks apart.
