Page 3240 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 10 November 2021
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range of different networks, not only ours but those in other jurisdictions, to make sure that we have fit-for-purpose vehicles that are operating and well maintained.
MRS JONES: Minister, are you involved in the procurement process, and when was the government warned about the world-wide cracking issues? Will you be proceeding on that basis, and will you be involved in the acquisition of a further four LRVs with this known potential issue?
MR STEEL: It is five LRVs, Madam Speaker, for the future procurement. I was not involved in the procurement for stage 1 of light rail. I was not a minister at the time. I am not directly involved in the procurement process. That is a matter for the delegate to sign off on, in accordance with appropriate probity guidelines. That will be a matter for Major Projects Canberra to work through with the delivery partners and through the procurement process, to make sure that we have safe LRVs that can deliver and operate the extension of the route down to Commonwealth Park, as well as the existing route from Gungahlin through to Alinga Street, which has operated successfully now for around 2½ years.
COVID-19—vaccination rollout
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, we know vaccinations are the key to continuing our pathway to a COVID-safe summer. Can you please update the Assembly on the ACT’s progress in protecting our community?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Orr for the question. Members, of course, would be aware that the ACT’s COVID-19 vaccination program is world leading, with more than 95 per cent of Canberrans aged 12 years and older being double dose vaccinated against COVID-19. Last weekend Canberrans will have observed several landmarks across our beautiful city lit up in aqua to mark the significant milestone along our path to achieving a COVID-safe summer.
Since the commencement of the program in February 2021, this government has administered more than 408,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to eligible Canberrans through ACT government clinics. To complement this remarkable vaccination uptake, we continue to roll out updates to the vaccination program. On 22 October, ACT government vaccination clinics began offering third doses to eligible individuals who are severely immunocompromised. While this makes up only a small number of Canberrans, our clinics have already supported 167 severely immunocompromised Canberrans to receive third dose protection against COVID-19, with an additional 52 appointments scheduled.
I am also pleased to report that, on 1 November, the ACT government took additional steps to ensure that we remain one of the most vaccinated cities in the world by offering booster appointments to all eligible adults across the ACT. Now anyone aged 18 years and older who received their second vaccine dose at least six months ago can easily access a COVID-19 vaccine booster at an ACT government clinic by contacting ACT Health. In the first three days of operation more than 3,300 booster vaccines were administered to Canberrans and a further 2,298 appointments had been booked at a future date at our clinics.
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