Australia’s Vaccine Agreements and Deliveries: A Comprehensive Update
As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine development and distribution have become a top priority for governments worldwide. Australia has been no exception, with the federal government inking multiple agreements with vaccine manufacturers to ensure its population is protected from the virus. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive update on Australia’s vaccine agreements and deliveries.
The Vaccine Agreements
Australia has signed agreements with four major vaccine manufacturers: Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Novavax, and Moderna. Let’s take a closer look at each of these agreements:
1. Pfizer-BioNTech: Australia had secured 10 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is administered in two doses, for delivery in 2021. However, due to global demand and supply-chain issues, the delivery of these doses has been delayed. Initially set to begin in late February, the delivery has now been pushed back to mid-to-late March.
2. AstraZeneca: Australia has secured 53.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is also administered in two doses. 50 million of these doses will be manufactured locally by Australian company CSL Limited. The first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have already been administered in Australia, with frontline healthcare workers and aged care residents among the first to receive the vaccine.
3. Novavax: Australia has secured 51 million doses of the Novavax vaccine, which is also administered in two doses. However, the delivery of these doses is yet to be confirmed.
4. Moderna: Australia has secured 25 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, which is also administered in two doses. Deliveries of the Moderna vaccine are expected to begin in the second half of 2021.
The Vaccine Deliveries
The delivery of vaccines has been an issue in Australia, with delays and supply-chain issues contributing to a slower than expected rollout. As of late February, only around 50,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 200,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine had been administered in Australia.
However, the federal government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring all Australians who want to be vaccinated will be vaccinated by the end of 2021. The vaccine rollout is set to ramp up in the coming weeks and months, with more doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine expected to arrive in Australia soon. The government has also announced plans to establish mass vaccination clinics and increase the number of vaccine doses being administered per week.
Conclusion
Australia’s vaccine rollout has been slow to start, but the federal government is committed to ensuring all Australians are vaccinated by the end of 2021. With agreements in place with major vaccine manufacturers and deliveries expected to ramp up in the coming weeks and months, it’s hoped that the end of the pandemic is in sight for Australia.