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A number of recent changes and announcements have been made around Australia’s beleaguered coronavirus vaccine rollout.
The national plan has been hit by a raft of logistical troubles, booking issues and rates of hesitancy, especially since the issuing of new advice for adults under 50 for the AstraZeneca shot, which the government had banked on being the central pillar of its rollout.
The slow rollout of the vaccine to people in disability residential facilities – who were supposed to be part of the first priority group - has also been deemed an “abject failure”.
Amid the slower-than-expected vaccine uptake, authorities have been urging eligible Australians to get their shot as soon as possible, and some states have started going their own way to speed things up.
24th May 2021 7:38 AM | Updated: 8:34 AM
Sir Richard Branson has shamed Australia for its slow vaccine rollout, saying given it s a small country everyone should have been jabbed by now.
Speaking to the Today show hosts, the Virgin founder was asked about opening up to the rest of the world in mid-2022.
“That’s up to our prime minister,” he said.
“Countries that have got everyone vaccinated, liked Britain and America … (and) especially when you have all the vulnerable people vaccinated, they can open up right away.”
Sir Richard said he was in New Mexico with “lots of people” who are all hugging and shaking hands because “we’re all vaccinated”.
Small turnout for over-50s at Sydney hub as Melbourne cases show threat remains
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Eligible NSW residents have been urged to come forward for their coronavirus vaccines as a group of four mystery cases in Melbourne showed Australia remains vulnerable to community transmission of COVID-19.
People aged 50 and over in NSW are eligible from Monday to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at GPs, Commonwealth respiratory and NSW Health clinics, including the Sydney Olympic Park vaccination hub.
The Sydney Olympic Park mass vaccination clinic administered more than 31,000 doses last week.
National Cabinet expected to discuss vaccine passport proposal 24/05/2021|2min
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to take a proposal to reopen the country to the next National Cabinet meeting – which will include the controversial vaccine passport plan.
The meeting – which is set to be held next week – will look at the proposal which could see fully vaccinated Australians bypass coronavirus border restrictions.
Several state premiers, however, have already pushed back against the idea.
Meanwhile, the community is receiving mixed messages from Health Minister Greg Hunt who warned over 50s to not delay receiving the AstraZeneca jab in the hope of receiving an mRNA vaccine later.