National Cabinet holds emergency vaccine meeting, as Sydney COVID-19 cluster grows

• The Prime Minister will meet with State and Territory leaders to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as new cases continue to emerge
• Sydney has recorded two new cases on Monday, bringing the total number of cases from the Bondi outbreak to 11
• Victoria also recorded one new local case, while eight people in hotel quarantine have tested positive for COVID-19
• The State’s Premiers says he doesn’t have enough Pfizer vaccine supplies to meet the demand and will lobby cabinet for more
• The AstraZeneca COVID-19 jab was ruled out for over-60s last week, placing additional strain on Australia’s already limited Pfizer supply

The Prime Minister will meet with State and Territory leaders to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as new cases continue to emerge in NSW and Victoria.

Sydney has recorded two new cases on Monday, bringing the total number of cases from the Bondi outbreak to 11.

NSW recorded two locally acquired cases of #COVID19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, both of which were announced yesterday morning.

NSW Health has also been notified of two new locally acquired cases overnight. These cases will be included in tomorrow’s numbers. pic.twitter.com/YrCa3XFXxQ

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 21, 2021

All of the new cases have been identified as close contacts of already reported cases within the Bondi cluster.

This latest outbreak in Sydney began after a local limousine driver caught the highly virulent Delta strain of COVID-19.

NSW health authorities have gone into testing overdrive amid concerns over how easily this new strain of the virus can be spread.

Meanwhile, Victoria has also recorded one new local case, while eight people in hotel quarantine have tested positive for COVID-19.

The State’s Premier James Merlino has also raised concerns about the amount of vaccine supply making its way to Victoria.

Mr Merlino said the state did not have enough Pfizer vaccines to keep up with demand, now that AstraZeneca had been ruled out for those under 60.

“Our priority is absolutely making sure that people have their second dose of Pfizer, and we will do all that we can for the remaining doses to meet the demand for first doses,” Mr Merlino said

“We simply have not received enough supply of the vaccine, which is the Commonwealth’s responsibility.”

The Premier will lobby the Prime Minister for extra doses of the Pfizer jab, so more Victorians can receive their vaccinations.

“What we’ve seen over the last week is obviously a hit to public confidence, with the decision on AstraZeneca for 50-59-year-olds, a massive increase in demand for Pfizer doses, and a lack of supply from the Commonwealth,” Mr Merlino said.

“So, you can’t increase eligibility unless you have the supply to do that with confidence.”