Thursday, 9 September 2021

 Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (14:39): I am delighted to rise to update the house and all Victorians on the performance of all those working in vaccination hubs across our state, whether they be state-run hubs, GP practices or pharmacies. We had our biggest-ever day yesterday, with 37 604 vaccines administrated in our state-run hubs—55 of those hubs across the length and breadth of the state. To the nurses, to the clinical staff, to all the people across the board who are working to make those sites open and available and to see the record throughput through those state hubs, we say thank you, and of course we thank them for all of those now 2.7 million doses. That is 2.7 million doses that have been administered through state hubs. That is literally millions of Victorians who have come forward to get a first and a second dose. We across the board, whether it be with Pfizer or with the AstraZeneca vaccine, have seen record doses delivered through our state hubs.

I remind all Victorians that we were to do just 25 or 26 per cent of the work. We are now doing 50 per cent of the work, and will do even more if we need to, given that nothing is more important than getting us to 70 per cent double dosed and 80 per cent double dosed. That is what the national plan has us all signed up for, that is what we contributed to in the development of the national plan and that is what will see us have many more options than we have now. It is important to acknowledge, though, that the equitable distribution of vaccines is not an unimportant matter. We would hope that when we get commitments to a pro rata or population-share distribution, that is exactly what happens—not a vial less, not a dose less or a dose more. All we want is our fair share, as I am sure every state across the commonwealth wants.

To all of those who have booked a vaccination appointment, thank you. To all of those who want to get vaccinated and play their part, there are more than 10 000 AstraZeneca appointments available right now as I speak. Go online, book one, get your first dose, get your second dose six weeks later and help us in our race to 80 per cent.