State Emergency Coordinator and WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson has been appointed to the new role as Western Australia's COVID-19 Vaccine Commander.
The Vaccine Commander will lead and drive the state's COVID-19 vaccine program, effective immediately for an initial term until December 31 2021.
Commissioner Dawson will also remain in the State Emergency Coordinator role, while Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch will be directed by Commissioner Dawson to undertake the day-to-day duties of the Police Commissioner for this period.
To support the operational delivery of the vaccine program, the Chief Operating Officer of the Vaccine Program within the Department of Health, along with a small project team comprising relevant experts in data analysis, project management, logistics, communication and engagement will report directly to the Vaccine Commander.
The WA COVID-19 Vaccine Commander will report directly to the Premier and Health Minister, and a Vaccination Strategic Coordination Group will be established to support the Commander.
WA Health will continue to lead in other priorities including hotel quarantine, testing and contact tracing to keep delivering WA's COVID-19 response.
