Australia has eye on vaccination drive even though COVID-19 under control
MELBOURNE: Australia recorded no new local coronavirus cases on Sunday (Jan 24), maintaining a recent run of success in keeping the virus at bay, ...
WorldPeople wait in line at a COVID-19 testing clinic at Mona Vale Hospital in the wake of a new outbreak in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney, Australia, Dec 18, 2020. (File photo: REUTERS/Loren Elliott)24 Jan 2021 02:04PMShare this contentBookmark
MELBOURNE: Australia recorded no new local coronavirus cases on Sunday (Jan 24), maintaining a recent run of success in keeping the virus at bay, but nevertheless is keen to press on with its vaccination campaign from next month, government officials said.
Australia's first batch of the Pfizer vaccine is due to arrive in February and its campaign will then begin with people over 70, adults with underlying medical conditions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the front of the queue.Advertisement headtopics.com
Advertisement"We have the virus under control here in Australia but we want to roll out the vaccine," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told a news conference.The campaign was on track despite the low transmission numbers and shortage of supply of the Pfizer vaccine seen in some other countries, he said.
People can apply to get the vaccine from Monday.AdvertisementAdvertisementRecent government figures showed an overall 95.09 per cent rate for regular vaccinations for five-year-olds in the December quarter, suggesting a positive attitude towards vaccinations among the public.
"This will help save lives and protect lives - it is also a very important sign of confidence as we prepare for the COVID vaccine roll out," Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Twitter.Hunt said Australia has had no community cases anywhere for nine of the last 10 days.
READ: New Zealand probes first 'probable' community COVID-19 case in monthsAdvertisementAustralia has fared better than most other developed economies in the pandemic through swift border closures, lockdowns, strict hotel quarantine for travellers and widespread testing and social distancing. headtopics.com
It has had just less than 28,800 cases in all, the overwhelming majority in Victoria state, and 909 deaths. Read more: CNA »
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