COVID-19 Vaccination Roll-out
Following on from my previous Primary Matters update, we are continuing to work with federal and state governments and public health units with the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out program in our region. Thank you to all general practices in the WVPHN region who submitted an EOI to take part in Phase 1b of the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out. The EOI applications have now closed and we will be continuing to work closely with GPs to ensure access to relevant, accurate and up-to-date information on the vaccines and the roll-out program.
If you would like to receive important updates released by the state and commonwealth governments please SUBSCRIBE to our weekly email update, as we will only be sending this to those who are on the subscription list due to privacy and consent requirements. Western Victoria PHN HealthPathways is continually being updated on COVID-19 clinical pathways and the vaccine roll-out so please also check this site regularly.
COVID-19 Vaccination Training
We welcome the announcement that the first Australian Government funded training modules for the COVID-19 vaccination workforce, including for immunisation providers and non-clinical and administration staff, is now available.
The training modules cover multi-dose vials, handling and storage of vaccines, safety and surveillance monitoring, and reporting for adverse events following immunisation. Read the Minister’s media release here.
Community Pharmacy COVID‑19 Vaccination Program
We are pleased pharmacies can participate in the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out. An expression of interest process started on 1 February for community pharmacies around Australia to participate in the “Community Pharmacy COVID‑19 Vaccination Program” to immunise priority populations from Phase 2a (expected from May 2021) onwards. EOIs close on 19 February. Please find more information here.
‘Town Hall’ Sessions
Please join us for our second ‘town hall’ style update on Thursday 11 February from 7.30pm – 9.00pm where representatives from government and health care professionals will provide important insights into the planning and process for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Register here.
More details about the session can be found in this week’s Westvic News.
I would also like to thank all participants who registered and attended our first vaccine roll-out town hall session on Thursday 28 January. Over three hundred people registered and many also submitted questions prior to the meeting via our Meeting Place page. A video of the session is available HERE.
Project ECHO Sessions Resume
A reminder our Project ECHO COVID-19 sessions will return on Thursday 18 February and will be held weekly at 7.30am – 8.30am. They are open to all primary care clinicians in the WVPHN catchment region. Register here.
Project ECHO Persistent Pain is also returning fortnightly for Series 3 to enhance primary health care clinicians’ knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver best practice chronic pain management, starting tonight (Wednesday 10 February 2021) from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Register here.
Rowena Clift
Chief Executive Officer