Almost 1.5 million vaccine doses have been administered across Australia so far during the rollout, including just over 22,000 on Saturday. More than half of those have been administered through GP clinics, while the states have given out almost 644,000.
Earlier this month, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation updated its vaccine advice to say Pfizer was the preferred vaccine for those under 50, after the AstraZeneca vaccine was linked to a rare but serious blood-clotting side effect.
Opposition health spokesman Mark Butler said the Prime Minister must come out of national cabinet with a clear plan for the rest of the rollout that gave more responsibility to the states.
Coronavirus Australia: COVID vaccines for over-50s to be brought forward as national cabinet reconfigures rollout brisbanetimes.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from brisbanetimes.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Ban on popular benchtops being considered as wave of deadly illness sparks alarm
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A ban on popular artificial stone benchtops is being considered by a national taskforce grappling with spiralling rates of deadly silicosis in tradies.
Artificial stone has become ubiquitous in Australian kitchens and bathrooms since it hit the marketplace two decades ago as an affordable alternative to marble or granite.
Artificial stone contains up to 95 per cent silica, compared to less than 40 per cent silica in natural stone.
However, the home renovation trend has corresponded with an exponential rise in rates of silicosis among construction workers.
Unions have requested an urgent meeting with the prime minister to address the vaccine rollout in aged and disability care.
Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus has lodged a written request for a meeting with Scott Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Disability Minister Linda Reynolds.
Ms McManus wants the national rollout recalibrated to ensure workers and the vulnerable Australians they support are better protected.
Unions want frontline workers vaccinated as soon as possible. We are concerned that nearly two months after the commencement of the program very few aged care and nearly no disability care workers have been offered their first vaccination, Ms McManus said.