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As the Covid-19 vaccination rollout nears, the Australian Government has begun appointing an additional workforce to help deal with the extreme logistics of its implementation.
A plan is also being rolled out to deliver essential training to everyone who will administer the vaccinations across the country.
A panel of four providers have been appointed who will be called upon to provide a vaccine workforce to supplement the existing immunisation workforce for specific populations. They are Aspen Medical, Healthcare Australia, International SOS and Sonic Clinical Services.
“These providers have established their capability and capacity to provide a skilled workforce, particularly for some of the most vulnerable groups throughout each state and territory,” said health minister, Greg Hunt.
This additional vaccination workforce will help support and supplement these existing services and assist in outreach in areas such as aged care and remote and indigenous communities working with existing providers.”
In a statement, the government noted that it has been closely monitoring the immunisation programs operating overseas, including in the United Kingdom and the United States, and one of the critical requirements has been the availability of a ready and capable immunisation workforce.
“Our vaccination strategy requires the highest levels of operational readiness,” Hunt stated.
“As vaccines are approved for use in Australia and our vaccination program commences, we are ensuring the workforce is there to administer the vaccines in an efficient manner, particularly to our priority groups including residential aged care, residential disability and carers.”
The government is also likely to partner with peak organisations and other providers to assist in administering the vaccine for harder-to-reach populations, such as remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“Work is also under way to prepare the necessary and compulsory training which will be required for each and every healthcare professional administering COVID-19 vaccines,” the minister said.
The Australian College of Nursing is leading the preparation of the training materials which will cover the handling and administration of Covid-19 vaccines.