WIMMERA Health Care Group has announced plans for a four-phase vaccine rollout to start in March.
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The first phase of the rollout plan would see at-risk individuals such as front line workers, people over the age of 70, aboriginal and Torres strait islanders receive a dose of the Pfizer vaccine first.
The next round of vaccination would start in late March, with the AstraZeneca vaccine's general population.
Wimmera Health Care Group acting director of Medical Services, Dr Rob Pelgram, said it might take a full year to vaccinate a sufficient part of the population.
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"The vaccine itself prevents illness, but it doesn't eliminate the virus," Dr Pelgram said.
"It is still possible for somebody who has been vaccinated to acquire the virus and carry it asymptomatically.
"They will not get sick because the virus will protect them, but potentially they may carry the virus and infect people who aren't vaccinated."
The Pfizer vaccine, which will be given to first-round patients, must be frozen and fully administered once removed. Wimmera Health Care Group said Pfizer vaccine clinic would be next to hospitals, due to logistical requirements.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is 70 per cent efficient and works similarly to normal influenza shots. The vaccine can be administered through GP's, surgeries, and community health services.
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Mr Pelgram said since both vaccines are new, extra precautions are required once administered.
"People will need to be observed for 15 minutes after their immunisation, because it is a new vaccine," Dr Pelgram said.
"With a new vaccine, we have to take the assumption that some people will react to it.
"The information we have from overseas that [reactions] is unlikely. We have a fair bit of experience but we have to make the assumption that some will have a reaction."
The plan comes after a national meeting of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators. The group of medical leaders discussed the logistics and coordination of a vaccine rollout in Australia.
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