UPDATE - Thursday
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The Department of Health has blamed delivery issues and cold storage issues for Wagga's "last minute" delays to COVID-19 vaccine rollouts at some aged care centres.
According to its manufacturer, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70 degrees Celsius and can be used within five days if stored at between 2 and 8 degrees.
Multiple aged care centres in Wagga were due to have their first residents vaccinated on Wednesday but were advised by supplier Healthcare Australia (HCA) that the deliveries had been postponed.
At least some of the aged care centres who had their rollouts delayed have received new dates for vaccine deliveries starting on Friday.
"The roll out is a highly complex logistical operation, both for the storage and handling of the temperature sensitive vaccines and sensitive management of the needs of aged care residents and workers. We are continually reviewing processes to ensure efficient and safe practises are upheld, particularly for our most vulnerable," a federal Department of Health statement said.
"We appreciate the cooperation of aged care providers, residents and families. This is a very important task and one of the biggest health logistical challenges undertaken.
"The Department notes that last minute changes to the schedule have been made in some instances to accommodate vaccine delivery windows, consent arrangements at the residential aged care facility and cold chain management.
"The Department of Health and the Vaccine Operations Centre are working closely with residential aged care facilities and the Primary Health Networks to manage rollout scheduling and to ensure information is being effectively communicated with as much notice as possible."
HCA did not respond for a request for comment on Wednesday and has again been contacted on Thursday.
EARLIER - Wednesday
Multiple Wagga aged care centres have had their COVID-19 vaccine rollouts delayed just hours before the city's first elderly residents were due to receive their injections.
Catholic Healthcare, which runs The Haven residential aged care in Wagga, was advised on Wednesday morning that its vaccine provider Healthcare Australia (HCA) had pushed back its Pfizer vaccine rollout.
Forrest Centre chief executive officer Evan Robertson, who runs the Mary Potter Nursing Home and Loreto Home of Compassion, said his organisation would also receiving vaccines from HCA and had been told there would be a delay.
"I don't know why, they haven't really told us but I'm sure it's just a logistical issue or trouble getting people here or something like that," he said.
Mr Robertson said it was not a "major" problem and he expected the vaccine injections to start in a couple of days.
HCA describes itself as a "healthcare workforce solutions provider" that operates across Australia and has been contracted to deliver vaccines by the federal Department of Health.
HCA and The Department of Health have been contacted for comment.
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