COVID-19 jabs to be rolled out in Queensland hospitals, workplaces

Australia has purchased more than 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, with the first shipment from Pfizer expected to arrive in February.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is set to be distributed from late February or early March.

It comes as Queensland health authorities have called for expressions of interest from vaccine service providers keen to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine.

Queensland Health is looking for providers who can administer mass immunisations while maintaining social distancing and rapidly ramp up the vaccination program when supply increases.

Vaccination sites could include Queensland Health facilities, dedicated clinics, workplaces, aged-care facilities and mobile sites.

Providers are asked to say whether they could deliver the vaccines for 12 months or longer, and store and handle them with temperatures that could range from minus 80 to 8 degrees.

“It is expected that each person may require two doses of the same vaccine, about a month apart, for vaccination to be complete,” the documents read.

They are also asked to explain how they would manage adverse events, including anaphylaxis, and processes for post-vaccination patient monitoring.

The US Centres for Disease Control has not reported any deaths related to the Pfizer vaccine but there have been more than 4000 cases of adverse outcomes, including allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

Expressions of interest closed on January 15.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was unlikely restrictions on gatherings in homes and venues would be relaxed further until a vaccine was widely available.

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On Thursday, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt revealed there would be compulsory training for all doctors, nurses and pharmacists who roll out the jabs.

The national vaccination plan includes a rollout at hospitals, GP offices, state and federal vaccination clinics, pharmacies and Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations.

Four medical providers – Aspen Medical, Healthcare Australia, International SOS and Sonic Clinical Services – have been recruited to boost the existing healthcare workforce.

The Australian College of Nursing will lead the design of compulsory vaccination training, including how to handle the Pfizer vaccine which requires extremely low storage temperatures, and how to use multi-dose vaccine vials.

The federal government has secured agreements for three vaccines – Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Novavax – which are all pending Therapeutic Goods Administration approval.

The Pfizer vaccine will be administered first to frontline healthcare workers, aged and disability care staff, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions.

With Rachel Clun