Vaccination Information – update 26 August 2021

CMC and Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CES Ltd) is committed to supporting the Victorian Government to meet its aim for all final year students to be vaccinated by the time they sit their end-of-year exams.

The following is the latest information that we have and there are continual updates from various authorities around a number of pressing matters. Presently, the context is very similar to last year given the lockdown and growing COVID numbers. The main difference is the gravity of the threat with the Delta strain and the evidence of the threat so close to home in the nearby Goulburn Valley.

Vaccination

The following information has been received today.

All information on vaccinations for Victoria is available at: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

The information is continuously updated and includes information on:

• Victorian COVID Vaccination Eligibility Checker
• Vaccination checklists and locations
• Booking a vaccination
• Vaccine information in multiple languages

CMC and Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CES Ltd) arecommitted to supporting the Victorian Government to meet its aim for all final year students to be vaccinated by the time they sit their end-of-year exams. Final year students are therefore urged to make an appointment as soon as possible to receive a vaccine by following the instructions under the heading ‘How to book an appointment’ below. The state vaccination centres have recently had their capacity increased to support Victoria’s drive to administer 1 million doses of the vaccine by 19 September 2021.

Final-year students are asked to consider getting their first vaccine before the GAT on 9 September. In addition, it’s recommended not to get the vaccine on the day of an exam, or the day before an exam, to avoid feeling common but mild side effects such as tiredness, headache, muscle pain, fever and chills and/or joint pain during the exam.

CES Ltd also supports the Victorian Government’s goal to provide at least one dose for children aged 12 and older by the end of the school year, subject to the available supply of vaccines and advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION

All students aged 16 and older can now book a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at state vaccination centres and from 30 August or through their local General Practitioner or Pharmacist.

Students can book their own appointment and consent to vaccination themselves if the health professional assesses them to be a mature minor.

Again, it is important that students aged 16 and above get vaccinated (following appropriate medical advice) and Year 12 students should be a particular priority.

Eligible students and their parents or guardians should speak to their doctor or pharmacist if they have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and their health.

CONSENT

Students can book their own appointment and consent to vaccination themselves if the health professional assesses them to be a mature minor.

SCHOOL STAFF VACCINATIONS

Eligible Victorians can access vaccination through participating general practices, pharmacies and state vaccination hubs. Victorians aged 16-59 are all now eligible to receive Pfizer vaccine, and 60+ are eligible to receive AstraZeneca vaccine.

It is important that all staff are vaccinated, both for their own protection and for the protection of the community, colleagues and students.

HOW TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

School staff and students can book or change a vaccination appointment at a state vaccination centre through the Victorian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine online booking system.

From 30 August, people aged 16-39 can get a COVID-19 vaccine at a doctor’s clinic, pharmacy or community health service. You can find a participating doctor, pharmacy or community health service through the Australian Government Eligibility Checker. You can book your appointment online or by calling the vaccine provider nearest to you.

To find a vaccination centre and opening times, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

For information on what to bring to a vaccine appointment staff and students visit Checklist: before your COVID-19 vaccination.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about eligibility, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or use the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker.

For further assistance, contact:

• the Department of Health Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398
• the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080