ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr open to mobile Covid vaccination clinics as supply increases

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said projected supply showed the ACT was set to receive an influx of vaccines in spring and this would open up more mechanisms to deliver the jab.

He also flagged hopes for a higher goal for vaccination rates in the territory, saying he wanted it "into the 90s if we possibly can". The federal road map includes targets of 70 per cent and 80 per cent of eligible Australians to allow a gradual easing of restrictions.

Mr Barr said the expected rise in vaccine supply could open up the possibility of mobile vaccination clinics towards the end of the year.

He said the ACT government would be willing to work with businesses and the federal government in order to do this.

"I know a number of major employers would be very keen to do that and we'd look at opportunities to work with the Commonwealth and with them to make that possible," Mr Barr said.

Mr Barr made the comments before his annual State of the Territory address on Monday. In the speech, the Chief Minister urged Canberra's business leaders to support the vaccine rollout.

The national benchmark for restrictions to ease and for Australia to reopen is having 80 per cent of the population vaccinated, as agreed by national cabinet.

But Mr Barr told the audience the ACT would strive for even higher vaccination rates, closer to 90 per cent.

He said the ACT was only constrained by vaccine supply.

"We're constrained at the moment obviously by vaccine supply but we are going to see an expansion of Pfizer doses and the Commonwealth have announced Moderna is coming very soon and obviously we have quite a lot of AstraZeneca," he said.

"So by spring with free available vaccines and a much expanded vaccine rollout, we really want to get beyond the 70 and 80 per cent levels and into the 90s if we possibly can."

Mr Barr said he hoped the expanded vaccine rollout would mean that supply would no longer be an issue.

"I hope by the time we get to the middle of spring, the late parts of spring and the early parts of summer that supply is no longer an issue, that it is just simply how can we most efficiently get vaccines distributed," Mr Barr said.

Mr Barr also urged employers to give their staff paid leave to attend COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

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Canberra Business Chamber chief executive Graham Catt said it was crucial for businesses to support their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

He said the business community was ready to work with the ACT government to make snap lockdowns "a thing of the past".

"The business community is directly impacted by snap lockdowns and border closures," Mr Catt said.

"We are dealing right now with the devastating impact they are having on the ACT's tourism, accommodation and hospitality sectors.

"Our city, our community and our businesses face being shut down if we have even a single case in the ACT. Leadership and support for employees getting their jab has to be our highest priority."

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