Preparing for the COVID-19 vaccine

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges and has required great flexibility from the medical profession. 2021 will likely herald a new phase to this pandemic – the introduction of a COVID-19 vaccine to the global population.

While a vaccine offers hope for control of this pandemic, the rapid roll-out of millions of doses of a novel vaccine will undoubtedly bring its own set of challenges to Australia’s healthcare systems.

Information about potential COVID-19 vaccines, and the practicalities of their distribution and administration, is rapidly evolving.

Avant has already begun to consider the challenges doctors will face when a vaccine becomes available, some of which are outlined in the figure below.

We have been engaging with experts and key stakeholders, including the department of health, to ensure we can share the most up-to-date information and can advocate for your best interests.

Moving into 2021, as information around the vaccine becomes clearer, we will provide educational tools and answers to FAQs to help guide you through the vaccination rollout. We will continue to fully support you as we enter the next stage of the pandemic.

In the meantime, the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy provides a useful overview of the current Australian approach to the COVID vaccine, including:

• that COVID-19 vaccines will be made available for free to all Australian citizens, permanent residents, and most visa-holders.
• how COVID-19 vaccines will be accessible on a rolling basis, dependent on vaccine delivery schedules and the identification of groups for most urgent vaccination
• the Australian Government will be responsible for vaccine storage and transport to specified sites within states and territories and ensuring appropriate data collection and monitoring systems are in place.
• States and territories will have responsibility for providing sites where vaccinations can safely take place, ensuring there is an appropriately qualified and trained workforce, and ensuring immunisation providers remain compliant with their safety, ethical, and reporting obligations.

If you are already encountering vaccine-related challenges in your practice, please do contact us on 1800 128 268.

This update was originally published by Avant Mutual.