Victorian AMA president concerned over ‘disconnect’ in child vaccine timeline
The Victorian boss of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has shared his concern over the vaccination timeline for five to 11-year-old.
Schools are set to return on January 31, but Victorian AMA president Roderick McRae estimates only about a third of children aged five to 11 will receive their first vaccine dose before then.
The Age today reported Dr McRae was calling for school holidays to be extended by a week to allow more children to get vaccinated before returning to the classroom.
But Dr McRae says that’s “not exactly I was calling for”.
“What I suggested was there’s a disconnect, so we’ve got all the parts of the machine, the Meccano model is there but in fact the cogs aren’t quite meeting,” he told Shane McInnes, filling in for Neil Mitchell.
He says those who will provide the paediatric vaccine aren’t willing to book people in yet because they’re still waiting for doses.
“We’re not convinced that the infrastructure is there to distribute the vaccine for the paediatric administration, probably mainly in general practices,” Dr McRae said.
“If we wait for them to have the vaccine on their shelf … everything is going to be just kicked down the road that little bit.”
Press PLAY below to hear Dr McRae’s concern about the vaccine timeline for five to 11-year-olds
Speaking earlier on the possibility of extending school holidays by a week to allow more children to get vaccinated, president of the Victorian Principals Association, Andrew Dalgleish, said he wants students back in classrooms as soon as possible.
“I’m sure after the couple of years we’ve had most parents and teachers and educators would love to have the children back ready for the start of the school year,” he told 3AW Breakfast.
“I think the challenge will be if children aren’t vaccinated when they get back that there may be disruptions to families if children have to isolate on return to school.”
Press PLAY below to hear Mr Dalgleish’s view on the AMA’s idea