Priority vaccine access for hundreds of Sydney supermarket workers

Supermarket workers in the parts of Sydney hit worst by the coronavirus will get priority vaccine access, amid ongoing concerns over transmission in the essential shops.

In a simultaneous push to get more residents jabbed in the COVID-19 epicentre of south-west Sydney, walk-in vaccinations are now being offered in some suburbs, and several pharmacies are involved in a distribution pilot program.

The no-booking vaccines are available at hubs in Merrylands, Greystanes, Pemulwuy and Guildford, for anyone over 39 wanting the AstraZeneca jab. But the age limits appear set to be dropped shortly, with NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant expected to announce more detail on Tuesday.

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Supermarket workers in the Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield and Liverpool local government areas can get the Pfizer vaccine, regardless of their age, starting on Wednesday in a program that's expected to include up to 500 jabs a day.

The relevant supermarkets — Woolworths, Aldi, Coles and Metcash, which runs IGA — announced the deal on Monday in a joint statement.

"A highly targeted COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been developed for workers at critical food distribution centres for NSW, and those who work in supermarkets within the five designated LGAs," the businesses told The Guardian.

The workers join a group of more than 10,000 teachers and school staff in Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool with priority jab access. It's unclear how many supermarket workers are targeted in the the priority rollout.

The union representing supermarket, online retail and warehouse workers welcomed the deal but called for governments across Australia to go further.

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"This is a significant breakthrough in protecting the health of frontline retail workers ensuring the community retains access to the essentials of life during the protracted lockdown in Australia's biggest city," SDA NSW secretary Bernie Smith said in a statement.

"The Commonwealth and state governments must now recognise the essential work of ALL supermarket and warehouse workers. 

"They have done an incredible job on the frontline of the pandemic, working day in and day out to keep up an essential service."

On Monday, Dr Chant said younger people would soon be able to walk into a hub and get the AstraZeneca vaccine.

"There is a massive strategy and can I acknowledge my colleagues who have been working so hard over the weekend with their local health districts and community partners to identify sites that may be appropriate for walk-in visits," Dr Chant said.

"What are the most vulnerable communities? Which groups in the communities don't have access to the vaccine? And how can we make it easier to get vaccinated?

"That work has been going on day and night over the weekend and there will be some announcements tomorrow."

Last week, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommended that all adults in Greater Sydney should "strongly consider" getting any available vaccine.

The pilot program to administer shots in chemist includes dozens of pharmacies across Sydney and in regional towns such as Gulgong, Narromine, Dunedoo and Merriwa.

The trial is also limited to people aged 40 and over but under-39s can speak to their GP.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.