Scott Morrison says a new milestone has been achieved in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout with 300,000 doses of the AstraZenaca version having landed in Sydney on Sunday.
The first doses of this vaccine have arrived from overseas ahead of 50 million doses being manufactured by CSL in Australia.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration will now batch test the vaccines to ensure they meet Australia’s strict quality standards.
Scott Morrison has announced a Covid-19 milestone, as 300,000 doses of the AstraZenaca version land in Sydney on Sunday
‘This is the next step as we ramp up the vaccine rollout,’ the prime minister said in a statement.
Most Australians will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine with the rollout due to commence from March 8, subject to the TGA’s testing process.
‘Australia is in a unique position because importantly this vaccine gives us the ability to manufacture onshore’ Mr Morrison said.
‘Every Australian who wishes to be vaccinated will be able to receive a vaccine this year.’
The Therapeutic Goods Administration will now batch test the vaccines to ensure they meet Australia’s strict quality standards
Australia started its vaccine program last week with the first injections of the Pfizer vaccine.
Almost 30,000 Australians had been vaccinated since last Monday, including 8110 aged care and disability residents throughout 117 care facilities.
The government is rolling out a second $31 million public information campaign with the COVID-19 vaccination program now fully underway.
Almost 30,000 Australians had been vaccinated since last Monday, including 8110 aged care and disability residents throughout 117 care facilities
‘Both the state and territory teams alongside the aged care in-reach teams are ramping up their operations, with more vaccines being distributed across the country in the next week,’ Health Minister Greg Hunt said.
The government’s initial advertising campaign launched in January focused on informing the Australian community about the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s world-leading independent approval process.
‘The second round builds on these safety messages and informs the community about Phase 1a of the vaccination program rollout, which prioritises those who are the most at risk of serious illness from the virus,’ Mr Hunt said.
‘The advertising is important, so people understand how the vaccination program is operating, how they can find out when it will be their turn and answer any questions they have about the vaccines.’
Hotel quarantine, border and frontline health workers started receiving vaccinations this week, but the government has stressed it isn’t mandatory.
Mr Morrison said federal and state health officers were monitoring whether to make vaccinations compulsory for some workers.
‘Should that be necessary, we would seek to do that on a nationally consistent basis exercised through consistent public health orders,’ he said.
A flying squad of 500 nurse immunisers will be dispatched around the nation to vaccinate aged care and disability residents who are in the initial phase.
Hubs at major hospitals will also be ground zero for the Pfizer drug, which is first cab off the rank.
As the program expands, the extensive network of general practices and pharmacies will join the effort – with over 4,6000 practices already been given approval to administer the jab.
Source: Daily Mail Australia | World News
