A large logistical operation will see the Pfizer vaccine rolled out in remote Indigenous areas of the Kimberley for people under 50, giving them priority access ahead of the wider population.
The original plan to use the AstraZeneca jab was thrown into disarray when the risk of blood clots prompted the federal government to only recommend the vaccine for people over 50.
In the month that followed, federal and state health authorities declined to say what the new vaccination plan would be for the under-50 cohort in the remote Kimberley.
But Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS), which represents seven health services in the region, has now revealed the Pfizer jab is on track to be available from the second week of June.
The Pfizer vaccine requires a much larger logistical effort for it to be rolled out in remote communities compared to the AstraZeneca shots which can be stored at fridge temperature for up to six months.
Pfizer vaccines will be stored long term in two special minus-70-degree freezers in Broome.
The Commonwealth has contracted the Royal Flying Doctor Service to fly those vaccines to remote clinics.
KAMS medical director Lorraine Anderson said individual health services would pay for new vaccine freezers which would store the jabs at regular freezer temperature, giving them a three-week window to be used.
"They're a specific freezer for vaccinations. It tells you what temperature the freezer is sitting at and an alarm goes off if the freezer becomes too frozen and defrosts too much," she said.
"This will extend the length of time we can keep the vaccine vials in the clinic, so we're not in a rush and we can be measured in our approach and have good discussions with people [looking to be vaccinated].
"We believe that mRNA vaccines are here to stay and we'll have frozen vaccines into the future, so investing in that infrastructure is well worth it."
So far the rollout for Indigenous people in the remote Kimberley has only targeted people over 50 with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
But it has been given to some under-50 people with complex health problems where the very low risk of blood clots is balanced with the need to provide protection against coronavirus.
Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Peter Murray said the revelation about the blood clots put off many people in his native title area from getting the vaccine.
"It's an individual thing and people know there's a risk around whether you take it or don't take it."
Ms Anderson estimates about half of the over 50s in the remote Kimberley have taken up the AstraZeneca vaccine, amounting to almost 700 people.
"So Beagle Bay, for example, I think they've almost vaccinated their population over the age of 50."
Nationally, doctors have been putting pressure on the federal government to improve the information provided to the public about the risk of blood clots.
Pfizer supply initially limited
Initially, supply of the Pfizer vaccine will be limited until Australia's stocks are boosted later in the year.
"We think we'll have enough to vaccinate people as they feel ready to be vaccinated," Ms Anderson said.
"Our instruction from the Commonwealth is that if the patient has got access to the AstraZeneca vaccine and they're over the age of 50, we will be encouraging them to have the AstraZeneca vaccine.
"So if we've got limited doses of Pfizer vaccine, we really want to be ring-fencing those who can't have the AstraZeneca."
