Government makes 'important' vaccine announcement
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed Australia has acquired a further 10 million doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.
Health Minister Greg Hunt called the move “important for Australia”.
Australia now has a total of 150 million doses overall, 20 million of which are from Pfizer, Mr Morrison said.
The vaccine is on course to be rolled out by the end of the month despite concerns of supply from Europe.
The Pfizer vaccine, which was the first vaccine to receive approval for use in Australia by the The Therapeutic Goods Administration, is 95 per cent effective after two jabs, research indicates.
Research suggests AstraZeneca vaccine reduces virus transmission
There was also promising news relating to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine Australia have a deal for.
Early research suggests the vaccine reduces transmission of the virus. There has previously not been enough evidence to suggest it would.
Secretary of the Department of Health Professor Brendan Murphy said the development was “encouraging”.
Australia has 54 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca, which will be rolled out in March.
Mr Morrison told news.com.au that if the virus did stop transmission, it would be “a game changer”, while Prof Murphy said it would help speed up the return of international travel.
Prof Murphy has previously said he did not envisage overseas travel in 2021.
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