COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Health Minister Greg Hunt seeks to ease tensions with states and territories - NEWS.com.au

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has defended Australia’s vaccine rollout after states and territories lashed the government over claims they were holding back vaccine doses from the public.

Australia has administered a mere 670,000 vaccines as of March 31, falling well short of its initial goal of inoculating four million people.

Those goalposts then moved to early April; however, it is unlikely even this will be achieved after only 72,000 vaccines were given on Wednesday.

Leaders unleashed on the commonwealth, with NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard demanding an apology after blame about a slow vaccine rollout was shifted to the states and territories.

But Mr Hunt on Thursday said the federal government was working “constructively” with the states, adding they were doing a “very good job”.

“There is not an issue from our end that exists,” he told Sky News.

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That is despite Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud blasting the Queensland government, saying they needed to “pull their finger out” as parts of the state remain in a three-day lockdown.

Mr Hunt said all jurisdictions were receiving doses in accordance with their 12-week plans and the commonwealth was holding a second dose for every one that is distributed.

But not all states are convinced the government will deliver, with Queensland stockpiling its own lot of second doses.

Acting chief medical officer, Michael Kidd, reiterated that the contingency was being held by the Commonwealth.

“The states don’t need to hold back the contingency amounts for their rollout,” he told ABC RN.

Prof Kidd said the rollout timeline had been revised due to issues with international vaccine shipments but the Australian-manufactured vaccines would help the nation “catch up”.

“The deadlines, I cannot speculate on,” he said.

“This is a very complex exercise.”

Prof Kidd said more than 50 per cent of aged care residents had received the vaccine so far.

Labor senator Katy Gallagher told Sky News that the federal government was falling well short of its targets.

“I can understand why they’re defensive and trying to point the finger elsewhere,” Senator Gallagher said.

“But really this is about knuckling down, making sure vulnerable groups get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

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2021-03-31 21:57:43Z
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