- The Prime Minister has released a strong message to all Australians, the COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for everyone once it’s completed
- Scott Morrison also announced the vaccine dose will be free, meaning there’s no excuse to avoid having it administered
- Australia has signed an agreement with British pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca to buy 25 million doses of its vaccine
- This particular vaccine is being developed by Oxford University, and could be completed by the end of 2020
- The PM hopes the vaccine will be rolled out in Australia in early 2021, hopefully allowing travel to resume
The Prime Minister has announced a free COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for almost all Australians, once it becomes available.
The Morrison Government has signed a deal with British pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca to buy 25 million doses of its vaccine.
The vaccine in question is being developed by the world-renowned Oxford University. It’s currently in the advanced third stage of development and could be completed by the end of the year.
If it proves successful in human trials, Australia will manufacture and distribute the drug from early next year.
Speaking to Nine, Scott Morrison said this Oxford-developed vaccine was “the most promising and most advanced” out of all the possible options, including one being developed in Queensland.
The PM also made it clear, the vaccine would be mandatory for 95 per cent of the population.
“We would expect it to be as mandatory as you can possibly make it,” Scott Morrison said.
He also said those most vulnerable to the virus will receive it first, including the elderly population – who sadly make up the vast majority of those who’ve died after contracting COVID-19 in Australia.
“The hope is we can get it to everybody as quickly as possible,” the PM said.
“But you are obviously going to deal with those who are most vulnerable and the medical experts will set that queue up, I’m sure,” he added.
The Prime Minister also reiterated that without a vaccine, interstate and international travel would remain off-limits.
“We need the most extensive and comprehensive response to this to get Australia back to normal,” he said.
The vaccine news comes as several State’s tightened their border restrictions into the future.
Tasmania will keep its borders shut until December, while WA has again refused to put a date on when it will reopen to interstate travel.