I am not going to be talking about numbers today, Australia s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly told Australia s Radio National on April 12. This echoed suggestions from the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, who had adopted the position that Australia best forget meeting any clear vaccination targets. Having left battling the pandemic to State governments, the Federal government has found itself unable to execute its program, if one dare call it that.
Part of the monumental failings of the government can be put down to its stubbornness in prioritising the use of one vaccine. AstraZeneca was meant to be the vaccine wonder, the Godhead, the miraculous deliverer. CSL, Australia s only vaccine manufacturer, was given the task of producing the majority of 54 million ordered doses at its Broadmeadows factory in Melbourne. Many of those now risk being essentially useless.
Monday, 12 April 2021, 1:03 pm
“I am not going to be talking about numbers today,”
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly told
Australia’s Radio National on April 12. This echoed suggestions
from the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, who had
adopted the position that Australia best forget meeting any
clear vaccination targets. Having left battling the pandemic
to State governments, the Federal government has found
itself unable to execute its program, if one dare call it
that.
Part of the monumental failings of the
government can be put down to its stubbornness in
prioritising the use of one vaccine. AstraZeneca was meant
The new figures come as Australia’s medical experts decided, after a lengthy Thursday night meeting, that Pfizer will now be the preferred vaccine for under-50s because of a rare but serious blood clotting side effect linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The government is now reviewing Australia’s vaccine portfolio as the entire rollout will require an overhaul, throwing the timeline of the country’s vaccination program into doubt.
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Victoria’s Acting Police and Emergency Services Minister Danny Pearson, who is in charge of the state’s hotel quarantine program, said the situation was fluid and the implications of the AstraZeneca decision would become clearer after Friday’s meeting of the national cabinet.
“I just want the community of NSW to know their government is prepared if we get a supply of vaccines that we can get [them] out to the community,” she told reporters in Sydney.
Meanwhile, Ms Berejiklian said she was keenly awaiting the outcome of Australia’s expert medical taskforce, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, which is meeting later on Thursday to review the latest advice on the AstraZeneva vaccine following reports of adverse reactions and decisions abroad to limit distribution of the vaccine.
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“Obviously there are concerns that need to be addressed, which is why the health experts are coming together today,” she said, adding Australia’s response was strengthened by its dependence on health advice.
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The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now the preferred shot for adults in Australia under the age of 50, after the government received new medical advice around the AstraZeneca jab following confirmation of a link to rare blood clots.
In a surprise press conference on Thursday night, Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation had met after European authorities confirmed the link, and recommended the Pfizer shot be preferred for adults under 50 who have not already received their first AstraZeneca dose.
Under Australia s vaccine strategy, most Australians were expected to receive the AstraZeneca shot.