Australia’s Covid-19 Vaccination Rollout
Scientists over the last 9 months have engaged in a global race to find a vaccine for COVID-19. 2021 brings with it good news with numerous vaccines now being rolled out across the world.
Australia has now approved both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, and both are now in Australia with the rollout having begun. Australia is making the AstraZeneca vaccine too.
National Cabinet has adopted a vaccination roadmap for the roll out of the vaccination, which is ensuring the Australians who need it most get access to the vaccine first.
High priority groups including quarantine and border workers, front line health care workers, and residential disability and aged care residents and staff. You can have confidence in the vaccinations because they have gone through Australia’s approval processes without skipping a step, and they have met Australia’s strict quality standards.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is the vaccination most Australians will receive. Once the first dose has been administered, the second dose will be administered 12 weeks later. The World Health Organisation has confirmed this regimen to be safe and effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19.
These vaccines and the public take-up will be critical to Australia’s fight against the virus. Vaccination is not a silver bullet.
Once the vaccination starts COVIDSafe practises do not end. They continue. Physical distancing, hand hygiene, using the COVIDSafe app, and getting tested and self-isolating if sick must continue. However, the vaccines will make the challenge easier and will protect people from the worst effects of the illness.
To keep up to date with the vaccine rollout and for more information on the Vaccine Roadmap visit health.gov.au
