First Pfizer vaccine doses arrive in Australia and are expected to be received from next week

More than 142,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COZVID-19 vaccine have arrived at Sydney airport in a major milestone in Australia’s response to the pandemic.

This is the first shipment of 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine the Government has secured as part of Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration will now batch test the vaccines to ensure they meet Australia’s strict quality standards.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country was on track for the first and most vulnerable Australians to start receiving the vaccine from February 22.

“The vaccine has landed and we’re stepping up our fight against the pandemic,” the Prime Minister said.

“Once the final safety checks are completed we can start rolling out the vaccine to our most vulnerable Australians and to our frontline border and health workers.

“The hard work of Australians has meant we’re in an enviable position in our fight against the pandemic so we’ve been able to take the time to properly assess our vaccine decisions and give our world-class regulator the time they need to review the safety of the jabs.

“While we’re taking the time to get the rollout right, I am confident all Australians who wish to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will receive a vaccine this year.”

Approximately 80,000 doses will be released of the Pfizer vaccine in the first week. About 50,000 vaccines will be made available for the states and territories for hotel quarantine and border workers and frontline healthcare workers. About 30,000 vaccines will be made available for the Commonwealth vaccine in-reach workforce to aged care and disability care residents.

It is expected that of these, at least 60,000 will be administered by the end of February with others to be continually administered thereafter.

Subject to TGA approval and shipping confirmation of the international AstraZeneca vaccine, it is expected these numbers will double from early March. Phase 1a remains on track for first round doses to be delivered within a six week period.

In lessons learnt in rollouts around the world and on the advice of experts, approximately 60,000 vaccines will be provisioned to ensure consistent supply and sufficient stock for second doses. The second dose of the vaccine will be administered at 21 days after the first dose.

The Phase 1a priority groups will ensure Australia’s quarantine and border workers, frontline healthcare workers and aged care and disability care residents and staff that the most vulnerable will receive priority access to the vaccine.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said that the Pfizer vaccine will save lives and protect lives.

“Australians can be reassured this vaccine has gone through rigorous, independent testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to ensure it is safe, effective, and manufactured to a high standard,” Minister Hunt said.

“These vaccines will now go through further batch testing to further check for quality and efficacy, ensuring all Australians have confidence in the vaccines they receive.”