Disability advocates are calling on the government to correct the introduction of vaccinations in Australia, with the majority of the sector still awaiting their first coronavirus bite.
Disabled accommodation providers and residents should be involved in the first phase of the national rollout, which is aimed at the most vulnerable residents in the country.
David Moody, head of National Disability Services, says the sector is eagerly awaiting the outcome of Monday’s national cabinet meeting in the hope that a concrete plan will be developed to get the rollout going again.
He understands that it’s a great logistical exercise.
“That said, we’re frustrated, very frustrated, and concerned about the shortage of vaccines that should have gotten into people’s arms and been in Stage 1a,” Moody told AAP.
“The reason the disability sector was identified for priority vaccine access is because we know from research that people with disabilities often have much harsher effects when they receive COVID-19.”
Mr Moody wants to know how and when people are vaccinated in shelters for the disabled.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will meet with his state and territory counterparts on Monday as they are grappling with updated health advice that has put them back on the drawing board for the vaccine rollout.
The guides will meet twice a week until it is on the right track.
Most Australians were supposed to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, but this has been linked to rare blood clots so people under the age of 50 have been directed to get the Pfizer option instead.
The Commonwealth is primarily responsible for vaccinating disabled residents and has contracted private companies to deliver the shocks.
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