Millions of Victorians will become eligible for their third dose over the coming weeks, and a new pool of trained-up vaccinators will mean a broader workforce is available to prepare and administer COVID-19 vaccines, while also freeing up health professionals to return to their normal duties.
Acting Minister for Health James Merlino said the expanded force will join nurse and pharmacist immunisers in state-run vaccination clinics for up to six months and will be supervised by experienced clinicians.
“COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective — the best thing all Victorians can do to protect the health system and keep their families safe is get your third dose as soon as you’re eligible,” Mr Merlino said.
“With comprehensive training and supervision — we’re helping 1000 Victorians in relevant fields get the training they need to join our vaccination efforts.”
“... We’re doing everything we can to ensure the community can access a vaccine as quickly and as safely as possible.”
The new vaccinators will be operating in well-established public health service-run sites, with robust processes in place to ensure the new workforce is appropriately trained, supervised and supported.
Known as Limited Scope COVID-19 Vaccinators, they will be required to successfully complete mandatory Commonwealth and Victorian COVID-19 vaccination training — equivalent to training requirements for other emergency authorised COVID-19 vaccination workforces.
They will also complete a COVID-19 Clinical Skills and Competencies Assessment to ensure they can perform their duties appropriately. They will not be responsible for establishing patient consent and will be authorised to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to people over the age of 18 years only.
The vaccinators will also be supported and supervised by a ‘’supervising authorised immuniser’ provided by health services, with relevant skills and experience in the technical aspects of vaccination.
Over the next few months Victorians with appropriate knowledge, skills and experience will be encouraged to join the COVID-19 vaccinator workforce as required.
Victorians with experience working in a health or community service setting, or who are enrolled in a health-related course, are desired — and they should regularly review local health service job advertisements and Department of Health jobs and careers websites. Applications will open in the week starting on January 17.
Victorians aged 18 years and older are eligible to get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine four months after their second dose. If you got your second dose in September or earlier, book an appointment through your local GP or pharmacy, or visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine to book at a state-run clinic.
