The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine for Phase 1B begins Monday 22 March.
The phases
Of the priority groups within Phase 1B, psychologists may fall into ‘other health care workers’, which include allied health professionals working in primary care and community-based services. This includes administrative support staff and students on placements.
The other groups who are part of Phase 1B are:
- Adults 80 years and over
- Adults aged 70-79 years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over 55
- Adults with a specified medical conditions
- Adults with a disability who have a specified underlying medical condition
- Critical and high risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing
Phase 1a commenced in late February, with priority being given to critical frontline healthcare workers (e.g. in hospital ICU and ED departments, COVID testing sites), residential aged care and disability care workers, and anyone working in quarantine facilities.
Phase 2a of the rollout will include ‘other critical and high risk workers’.
Any worker who does not fall into one of the categories mentioned is likely to receive the vaccine as part of their age group cohort.
Vaccine eligibility checker
The APS encourages members to use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find out when they will be eligible to receive a vaccine. Once you have entered your information, you can access the vaccine clinic finder, which lists clinics in your area offering vaccination bookings – either online or over the phone.
The Department of Health wants to avoid overwhelming GP practices with phone calls, and where possible encourage people to wait until more online bookings are available.
More than 1,000 general practices around the country will be offering vaccinations. The Federal Government has stated that this will increase to more than 4,000 over four weeks. This morning, Minister Hunt announced that 100 Commonwealth vaccination clinics will be added to the ease the pressure on general practices.
Further reading
Am I eligible to receive the vaccine yet? COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker
When will I get a COVID-19 vaccine? Information about rollout phases and priority groups
List of GP clinics offering vaccines as part of the Phase 1B rollout
Latest news on COVID-19 vaccines
APS news, 18 February COVID-19 vaccine rollout | Information for psychologists
The vaccine roadmap is available from the Department of Health website
How will COVID-19 vaccines be distributed? Information about vaccine hubs and vaccination appointments