Here’s why Australia’s COVID vaccine rollout is slow

Widely lauded for successfully containing the COVID-19 outbreak, Australia is in the face of a challenge — COVID vaccine rollout. Having launched its mass vaccination drive in February, just 3% of its population is fully vaccinated against the deadly disease.

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With those above 40 years of age eligible to get the jab (frontline workers, emergency services workers, aboriginal people, those with underlying health conditions are also eligible), Australia’s vaccination number is low comparable to developing countries, such as India and Indonesia. It is way below that of developed countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom that have immunised 46% and 47% of their people, respectively.

Australia’s number of COVID-19 cases (30,528) and deaths (910) are low, but so its vaccination rate.

Slow rollout

As per a BBC report, supply shortages and the government’s mismanagement are to blame for the slow rollout.

Australia relied heavily on AstraZeneca‘s COVID shot for its vaccination policy. However, concerns over the vaccine leading to blood clots and the government’s tussle with the European Union (EU) that led to a part of the shipment being held back, hampered the vaccination drive. 

Now, Australia has prioritised AstraZeneca’s vaccine for those above 60 years of age and Pfizer‘s shot for those under the age of 60.

Also, the local manufacturing wasn’t able to match the expectations.

Vaccine hesitancy

According to a survey, 15% of adults said they were “not at all likely” and 14% were “not very likely” to get vaccinated. Although the survey was conducted last month, it reflects the general attitude in a country that has largely curbed the virus outbreak through months of harsh lockdown, strict quarantine rules and suspending international travel.

The government had previously announced that it would fully vaccinate the entire population by October, only to extend the deadline further. With no clear date in sight, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said all the adults will get at least one dose of the COVID vaccine.

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Meanwhile, the government has entered into agreements to get doses of two other vaccines — Moderna and Novavax. However, they’re yet to be greenlighted by the country’s medicine regulator.