NDS welcomes the Victorian government announcement to give priority COVID-19 vaccine access to workers in disability residential services. Running from Wednesday, 2 June to Sunday, 6 June between 9.00am and 4.00pm, workers will have priority walk-in access across 10 vaccination hubs.

Staff will receive either Pfizer or Astra Zeneca vaccines depending on their age. The following centres are participating in the five day blitz:

• Royal Exhibition Building
• Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
• Sandown Racecourse
• Melbourne Showgrounds
• Former Ford Factory – Geelong
• Bendigo Community Clinic
• Ballarat Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre
• Shepparton Showgrounds – McIntosh Centre
• Traralgon Racecourse
• Wodonga Vaccination Hub

All disability workers are already eligible to be vaccinated at state hubs and can continue to attend at any time during opening hours.

People with disability, including all NDIS participants currently eligible for the vaccination program, can also access vaccinations at state-run vaccination hubs. It is recommended that all people with disability make a booking.

All sites have a minimum standard of accessibility however, the Victorian government is currently finalising new arrangements to facilitate providers arranging for groups of people with disability to access the state-run vaccination hubs with enhanced accessibility, if appropriate to the needs of those individuals.

NDS understands that the state government may be planning a webinar to outline further plans to support vaccinations for the disability sector, and we will confirm details once known.