COVID-19 vaccination (21 May 2021)

Dear Colleagues,

I write to you today to emphasise the importance of the COVID-19 vaccination to Tasmania as we work together to recover from the pandemic.

I had my first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccination last week, I got my vaccination for a couple of reasons:

1. To demonstrate how vitally important I believe it is to be vaccinated against COVID-19 – to provide protection from the virus and to help stop the spread (the growing evidence suggests this);
2. To help safeguard our health system;
3. Hopefully to eventually enable more freedom in travelling and,
4. To help ensure we can get back to a relatively ‘normal’ life.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the recent unanimous agreement in the Commonwealth, states and territories to fast-track the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Since 3 May the AstraZeneca vaccine has been available for people aged 50 and over.

As of 11 May, over 91,000 Tasmanians have received their COVID-19 vaccine doses. Our primary focus has been getting workers on our borders, quarantine hotel staff, frontline health care workers and residents at aged care facilities vaccinated. This is an amazing effort, but we are still below 20 per cent coverage of all Tasmanians over 16, having received at least one dose of their vaccine.

We need to continue working together as a State to increase our coverage so that we can help protect our most vulnerable people, for example those who are immunocompromised and as such are unable to receive theirs, and help to ensure our medical services are able to cope should we have another outbreak. If you are 50 or over, I encourage you to make an appointment for any government community clinic to receive your AstraZeneca vaccine. From 17 May GPs also started vaccinating 50 – 69 year olds, which further increases access to the vaccine.

As a priority target group we have additional support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tasmanian State Service employees through the Aboriginal Controlled Health Service program. This will provide you with more access options to receive your vaccination.

At approximately 30,000 people strong, the State Service represents an important segment of the Tasmanian Community. As Head of the State Service I sincerely thank those of you who fall into the current priority groups and have already arranged your vaccination. For those of you yet to book your jab, please join me in showing your support. In helping to stop the spread we are stronger when we stand together.

Tasmanians who are 18-49 with a disability or a specified underlying medical condition are also a priority and if you or a family member meet that criterion, you can book an appointment at one of our Hospital Based Clinics by calling the public health hotline.

If you have any medical concerns about the vaccines you are encouraged to discuss those concerns with your General Practitioner.

For further details, the latest news and statistics about the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Tasmania please visit http://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/vaccine. The list of specified underlying medical conditions for priority target groups is available at https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccines.