By Renee Wood
A priority Pfizer vaccination program for senior secondary students has begun to prepare for upcoming exam schedules.
The State Government announced the program last week to ensure year 12s and 11s who are taking senior VCE subjects will have had one dose by the GAT exam now marked for October 5.
The blitz will run from Tuesday 7 September until Sunday 19 September at state-run clinics, with 50,000 bookings created across Victoria to meet the demand.
Pop up school hubs will be established at Greater Dandenong, Hume, Melton, Moreland and Wyndam secondary schools but there was yet to be any pop ups announced for the Yarra Ranges at the time of print.
State Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish said it’s critical a state hub is available and easily accessible for Yarra Ranges students.
“The government needs to ensure it is a quick and seamless process for VCE students getting their vaccination,” Ms McLeish said.
“Our senior students have done it so tough over the last two years, they need every opportunity to finish off their senior schooling in the best way possible.”
Year twelves were invited to book an appointment from Monday 6 September, while Year 11 students sitting unit three and unit four exams can call and book from Wednesday 8 September.
Schools will assist students and parents on making bookings for Pfizer vaccinations, with the DHHS assisting educators through the program.
Jabs for teachers and examiners will also be part of the two week blitz.
An Education advocacy group #VCEWhatsThePlanDan welcomed the announcement but is concerned there’s little planning beyond the GAT.
“Students in the Yarra Ranges, just like students across the state, deserve clarity on what they can expect in the coming weeks,” #VCEWhatsThePlanDan spokesperson Assoc. Professor Caroline Dowling said.
“If we do not return to Covid-zero by exam time – and we all know that is looking unlikely – what measures is the government planning in order to address risks and allow these students to finish their schooling.
“Exams must go ahead, we owe this to the students who have placed their faith in the education system and continued with their studies despite the remarkable challenges.”
While no face to face learning will return in term three, Premier Daniel Andrews said a plan for term four will be announced this week.
“We have some weeks of study and school holidays between now and the beginning of term four. We will take a little bit more time to finalise the work’s that being done and we will have more to say about what term four will look like for all of our students next week (week starting 6 September),” Mr Andrews said.
