HUNDREDS of thousands of Moderna vaccine appointments will soon be available to Victorians, as the state speeds up its vaccination efforts.<\/p>\n
Today, Victoria recorded its highest number of COVID-19 cases in the current outbreak with 567 new locally acquired cases and one death – a Moreland woman in her 70s.<\/p>\n
More than 300,000 Moderna vaccines will be delivered to pharmacies across Victoria this month, with more expected in October and November.<\/p>\n
“The Moderna vaccine is available from later this week and there’s a lot of it,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.<\/p>\n
“It is incredibly effective, just as the other two are, in protecting you against becoming gravely unwell.”<\/p>\n
Victorian Pharmacy Guild president Anthony Tassone said 440 pharmacies in the state will receive the Moderna vaccine this week, and another 281 next week.<\/p>\n
“Some pharmacies may offer walk-in services, but I always recommend you try to make an appointment wherever possible,” he said.<\/p>\n
Pharmacies will now be administering both AstraZeneca and Moderna.<\/p>\n
Mr Tassone urged Victorians to “please be patient” with their local pharmacies, if they do not immediately offer bookings for Moderna.<\/p>\n
“Don’t wait for a particular vaccine – get what you can get because they’re all safe and effective,” he said.<\/p>\n
He warned Moderna will not be available to people aged over 60 yet, and said the time recommended between doses is four weeks.<\/p>\n
In the 24 hours to Monday, 50,915 tests were processed and 39,939 Victorians received a vaccine dose at state-run hubs.<\/p>\n
The state’s roadmap out of lockdown was released on Sunday, detailing small\u00a0changes to restrictions when 80 per cent of Victorians aged over 16 have received a single vaccine dose.<\/p>\n
Melbourne’s lockdown will remain in place until 70 per cent of Victorians are double-vaccinated, which is forecast for October 26.<\/p>\n
At that stage, the city’s curfew will be lifted, the travel limit will increase to 25km and hospitality can open outdoors for 50 fully vaccinated people.<\/p>\n
Once the 80 per cent double-dose target is met, forecast for November 5, the travel limit is scrapped, retail, gyms and beauty services will reopen for the fully vaccinated and hospitality resumes indoors.<\/p>\n
Also under the plan, interstate and international travel can resume once 80 per cent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated.<\/p>\n
The opposition and business groups have described it as “a roadmap with roadblocks”, saying the plan is too conservative when compared with NSW’s plan.<\/p>\n
The roadmap is based on Burnet Institute modelling, which shows that Victoria’s COVID-19 cases will peak at between 1,400 and 2,900 per day between October 19 and 31.<\/p>\n
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