Gippsland › Latest news › Melina Bath MP
Emergency services personnel denied COVID-19 vaccine priority in Latrobe Valley
Emergency services workers removed from vaccine priority list in Victoria by the Andrews Government.
A Latrobe Valley CFA volunteer has shockingly been denied a second COVID vaccine at a walk-in State Government run vaccination hub. The CFA volunteer was refused entry at the walk-in counter after being told the Andrews Government was now prioritising the vaccination of construction workers.
CFA volunteers and other emergency services workers should be the priority to complete the COVID-19 vaccines but that hasn't happened, they are the first ones to put their lives at stake to save other people's lives
Eligibility and priority
Under the Priority groups for COVID-19 Vaccination Program, critical and high-risk workers, such as police and emergency services personnel are classified as a priority group and could walk into state run clinics to receive their vaccinations.
Under questioning in State Parliament today by The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath, Labor's Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes refused to answer why emergency services personnel were no longer eligible for priority vaccinations at Victoria's state run vaccination clinics.
Denying volunteers from completing vaccinations
Ms Bath said it is unjustifiable that frontline emergency services workers have been removed from the vaccine priority list in Victoria by the Andrews Government. "It's disgraceful that the Andrews Government policy is deliberately denying CFA volunteers from completing their Covid vaccination program at the state's walk-in clinics. The rights of emergency services workers to be vaccinated as a priority must be reinstated." Said Ms Bath.
Ms Bath also said, "Emergency services are essential frontline workers and they must continue to have prioritised access for both their first and second vaccinations at all state run clinics. Our CFA volunteers play a critical role in our frontline emergency response including attending road accidents and fires, they should not be denied access to the vaccine and should never be shunted to the back of the queue."
Pictures from Ambulance Victoria Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Baw Baw Shire Council welcomes Victorian government grants aiding Noojee transition from timber harvestingDarren Chester calls for stop to rural health merger citing risks to Gippsland services due to lack of consultation, secrecy and autonomy loss
Nicholson Primary School students get chance to discuss Parliament while receiving certificates from Darren Chester
Russell Broadbent urges government budget accountability to alleviate cost-of-living pressure to tackle inflation and alleviate cost-of-living pressures following the Reserve Bank decision
Senators to reject Fresh food tax after report reveals lack of clarity and adverse impact on farmers and families
Baw Baw Shire Council continues advocacy for key unfunded projects despite limited aid from 2024/25 Victorian State Budget
APS Drainage and Civil selected for culvert relining on Loch-Kernot Road in Bass Coast Shire from 13 May 2024 with $750,000 budget
Feedback wanted on draft Master Plan for Alex Goudie Native Park in Drouin by 2 June 2024
Victorian government budget supports safer regional roads with $11.5M for Princes Highway East and $10.7M for Sale Alternative Truck Route upgrades
Community feedback wanted on new policy for celebrating significant dates in Baw Baw Shire by 31 May 2024