Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said it was reassuring a COVID-19 vaccine had arrived in Australia, but that she was "shocked" there was no designated hub to administer initial doses to frontline workers in her electorate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I am shocked and concerned to learn that there is no designated COVID-19 vaccination hub in Eden-Monaro for the first phase of the national vaccine rollout," the federal Labor MP said on Tuesday.
"It means that local nurses, doctors, health staff, aged care and disability workers in places like Bega, Cooma, Jindabyne, Narooma, and Tumut have to drive to Canberra to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
"For some, that's a six or seven hour round trip - effectively a day out of their hospital or place of work, a day where our local health system is potentially under increased pressure."
Ms McBain said she had raised the concerns with Health Minister Greg Hunt - asking for a suitable local solution to be found so that health workers and patients don't have to carry the extra burden.
"It's very reassuring to know that the COVID-19 vaccine has finally arrived in Australia, but regional communities shouldn't be disadvantaged.
"The first doses will be given to frontline workers from early next week, people like quarantine and border workers, frontline health care staff, and aged care and disability care residents.
"These are the people most at risk and people working under extraordinary pressure and I really hope the vaccine brings a sense of relief - as well as protection from the virus."
