Thousands of ACT residents aged 30-39 register interest for COVID-19 vaccine

The ACT government has taken the step in anticipation of an increase of Pfizer supply in two months' time, with the intention to make scheduling appointments for those thousands of people easier.

More than 5400 people had registered interest on Wednesday afternoon. A further 1000 people had requested a callback to register.

It is estimated there are about 71,000 people in that age group.

Registrations can be made on the My Digital Health Record website using a Medicare card, however people can't sign up online if they haven't used an ACT health service before.

Anyone who has received a new card but hasn't used it at a health service yet will also not be able to register online.

Anyone who can't register online will need to call, the wait time for the COVID-19 vaccination line was about 40 minutes on Wednesday morning.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith once a MyDHR account was set up people would be required to complete a questionnaire and tick the box that they were in the 30 to 39 age group.

"All that information will be saved in the system," she said.

"Then, when we're ready to open appointments to that group we'll actually be able to proactively push out a text message to those people who have registered their interest, to say appointments are now open.

"[You will] then be able to log straight back in and make an appointment."

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Ms Stephen-Smith said the territory had worked with Services Australia to update Medicare details in the ACT system.

"So, if you have previously received an ACT public health service and you are in our system, we should have the correct Medicare card details for you," she said.

Previously, the My Digital Health Record had to be updated after a number of Canberrans struggled to sign up when the rollout was opened to over-50s.

Already 12 per cent of 30 to 39-year-olds have been fully vaccinated and 17 per cent have had one dose.

People under 40 can't yet access Pfizer unless they are eligible in the first stages of the rollout due to their employment or because of a health condition.

Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for people under 60, but AstraZeneca was recently made more available to younger people who should speak to their doctor about the benefits and risks if they want to get that vaccine.

In the ACT 5840 people under 40 have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said last week, the decision to open expressions of interest was made following issues met with expanding the rollout to people aged above 40.

"It's about managing another 60,000 to 70,000 people becoming eligible for vaccination and we can get ahead of that and get everyone in the system, then it means more bookings can be made online, which is easier, and it means people aren't waiting on the phone or for a callback," he said.

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