House debates

Wednesday, 17 March 2021

Statements by Members

COVID-19: Vaccination

1:32 pm

Photo of Julian SimmondsJulian Simmonds (Ryan, Liberal National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I am pleased to say that we have an exciting step forward in Australia's vaccination program today. Already the vaccination is being rolled out to aged-care homes in the Ryan electorate, including at Regis The Gap, where residents have already had their first jab. I certainly know that, when the vaccine is available to my age cohort, I'll be rolling up my sleeve and enthusiastically getting the vaccine because it is a key marker on our path back to normalcy.

Today we have had the first lot of phase 1b GP clinics and respiratory clinics announced, including, in the electorate of Ryan, nine locations that will start vaccinating constituents in the 1b category next week. Those include the Kenmore respiratory clinic, the SmartClinics Walton Bridge at The Gap, the Ferny Grove Family Practice, the Bardon Rainworth Medical Centre, the Keperra Family Practice, the Brookside Family Clinic, Myhealth Toowong, the Fiveways Surgery at Taringa and the Bellbowrie Medical Centre.

I look forward to supporting these GPs and respiratory clinics throughout the vaccine rollout. I know that each clinic will be provided with their allocated doses, commencing next week, and that they'll be reaching out to the phase 1b cohort—the vulnerable population, such as older people and people with underlying medical conditions. You can check your status and your nearest GP at vaccine@health.gov.au, and I encourage you to reach out to that website and be part of Australia's vaccination program.