The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) will accelerate its COVID-19 vaccination program with the Pfizer vaccine now available for staff, their family and other household members in greater Sydney.
The Pfizer vaccine will be available to all staff and their dependents as young as 12 years of age from today (September 15) as part of the bank's expanded corporate vaccination project.
The bank opened its online booking system for the Pfizer vaccine to staff at the end of last week; with more than 1700 people making appointments within the first 24 hours.
CBA's group executive, human resources Sian Lewis said the expanded vaccination program followed last month's opening of the country's first COVID-19 corporate vaccination hub by CBA at Parramatta.
"We are pleased to be able offer this additional service to our people, their families and household members in greater Sydney given the impact of the Delta variant across the city," she said.
"NSW is already doing an incredible job in getting its community vaccinated, as are other states and territories around the nation, and we want to be able to support that effort wherever and how ever we can so we can enjoy a more normal life across Australia.
"We encourage all eligible staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the government, and on the advice of a health practitioner."
This expanded vaccination program was also extended two weeks ago to a further thirteen locations, including Hurstville, Cabramatta, Liverpool and Campbelltown.
The new doses are part of the national roll-out that is being co-ordinated by the Federal Government's vaccination taskforce.
Ms Lewis said CBA has been working closely with the taskforce to support the country-wide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and the latest offer of the Pfizer vaccine would complement the roll out.
"As an essential service, with one of the largest workforces in the country, we are committed to doing everything we can to assist the national roll-out as well as implementing safety and support measures to help keep our people, customers, and in turn the broader community, as safe as possible," she said.
"The vast majority of our people have told us they want to get vaccinated and that getting access to the vaccine at a convenient time and place will help them enormously.
"This latest step to offer Pfizer in our voluntary vaccination program will make it easier and more convenient for those wanting to be vaccinated to do so as quickly as possible."
A survey of more than 14,000 bank employees in early August showed that almost 90 per cent of CBA's staff intend to get vaccinated.
The CBA vaccination program is being run by corporate health provider, Vitality Works.
The bank plans to extend its program nationally as more vaccine supplies become available.