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Just a smattering of frontline paramedics have received the vaccine, leaving them vulnerable to COVID-19 if an outbreak was to occur, according to the Victorian Ambulance Union.
Union head Danny Hill said an estimated 350 paramedics out of 5000 had been vaccinated in Victoria as the federal government rolled out phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccine last week.
“They’ve started work on the next phase of the vaccine rollout before they’ve gotten through enough of the healthcare workers,” he said.
“We’re seeing meat workers and other industry personnel getting the jab long before frontline paramedic workers are.
“It’s not enough – the vaccine should be prioritised based on if the virus was to enter the community again who would be first exposed, and that’s paramedics.”
Mr Hill said some paramedics were driving more than 150km to get the vaccine or turning to their own GP.
“I am aware of a paramedic waiting for her vaccination while her husband, a plumber, has received his,” he said.
Frontline and healthcare workers were eligible to receive the vaccine more than a month earlier in phase 1a of the rollout.
Anyone aged over 70 is eligible to get the jab in phase 1b, which started last week.
Health Minister Greg Hunt moved to alleviate pressure on clinics last week, announcing extra commonwealth support during the rollout’s early phases.
“We’re announcing over 100 commonwealth vaccination clinics that will take all comers,” he said.
“Some (GPs) are much smaller and will choose from within their own patients first, and some will expand to others.
“But the commonwealth vaccination clinics that are coming online today (Thursday) will take all patients. With over 100 around the country, that’s a very important addition.”
There are 285 Victorian GP clinics participating in the phase 1b rollout of the vaccines, with that number to progressively expand to more than 4000 by the end of April.
Nearly three million Australians aged over 70, healthcare workers, people with chronic medical conditions, those with a disability, Aboriginal people aged over 55 and 200,000 people working in Defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing are now eligible for the jabs.
The federal department of health has been contacted for comment.
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