Linfox gains Pfizer allocation as Toll initiates injection leave
Linfox and Toll say they are making moves to ensure their employees have improved chances of gaining Covid-19 vaccinations.
Linfox revealed it had received an allocation of Covid-19 Pfizer vaccines from the federal and NSW governments for eligible team members, as health authorities prioritise the vaccination of essential workers.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is by far one of the greatest public health challenges we have ever faced,” Linfox Logistics Australia and New Zealand CEO Mark Mazurek said.
“This allocation of vaccines means we can support our frontline workers who continue to deliver for our communities, and fast track the recovery of our nations.”
The vaccines will be available for one week for eligible Linfox and BevChain team members at a pop-up vaccination clinic run by independent medical provider, Company Medical Services, at one of Linfox’s key distribution centres in NSW.
Last Monday, the first day of vaccinations, 400 team members received their first dose. They can attend any NSW vaccination site for their second dose in three weeks.
This centre has also provided Covid-19 testing for several weeks to ensure Linfox team members meet regular testing requirements following recent NSW Government advice.
“As essential service providers, our transport and supply chain team members are under huge pressure to navigate the challenges of changing jurisdictional lockdowns and border crossing permit directions,” Mazurek said.
As a member of the Australian Logistics Council (ALC), Mazurek said that alongside the ALC and others, Linfox has been advocating urgent priority access to the vaccine for essential supply chain workers. He said the move is greatly appreciated and will take some pressure off public vaccination centres.
The ALC and industry parties also see rapid antigen testing as a critical next step for truck drivers to support high-frequency testing requirements.
Linfox has supported Australia’s Covid-19 response in a number of ways, including the ongoing operation of major retail distribution centres and supply chains, PPE storage management, fuel deliveries and critical pharmaceutical supplies management.
This includes the distribution of one of the Covid-19 vaccines in NSW, Queensland and the ACT.
To date, Linfox has travelled nearly 18 million kilometres to deliver over 50,000 orders to healthcare providers, including over 5.6 million vaccine doses, the firm noted.
“Our teams are working 24/7 to keep our people and communities safe, while ensuring our customers’ supply chains keep essential supplies moving for our communities,” Mazurek said.
“In line with our commitment to be safer and our health and wellbeing program, Healthy Fox, we are urging Linfox and BevChain team members in all jurisdictions to get vaccinated.
“We would like to thank the federal and NSW governments for allocating these Pfizer vaccines to Linfox and look forward to making the vaccine available to team members in other states as soon as we can.”
Mazurek has received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in Melbourne and has been fully vaccinated for almost a month, the company revealed.
Read how Linfox became involved in the vaccination rollout, here
Meanwhile, Toll Group said it is introducing paid leave of up to four hours to support employees to attend Covid-19 vaccination appointments.
Chief human resources officer Vikram Cardozo underlined that Toll was committed to supporting the vaccination rollout across its Australian workforce.
“We want to do everything we can to protect our people against Covid-19,” Cardozo said.
“Offering paid leave is one important way that we are supporting our people to get vaccinated, which will protect our teams and communities.
“We are also continuing to work with governments to prioritise access to Covid-19 vaccines for our frontline workforce, who play a critical role in keeping supply chains moving.”
Under the program, Toll’s full-time, part-time, and casual employees will be entitled to two hours’ paid leave per Covid-19 vaccination if they are unable to secure an appointment outside of work hours.