With the federal government well short of the vaccination targets it set earlier in the year, it has agreed to a rethink of its rollout after the latest National Cabinet meeting.
Here's what we know.
Who is getting the vaccine earlier?
People over 50 have been pushed forward in the queue.
That's a big jump from the 2a vaccination group they were originally in, which would have seen them waiting to be vaccinated until Australia had administered about 15 million doses.
As it stands, about 1.8 million doses have been given in Australia.
When will those vaccines start being administered?
This new stage of the rollout starts in May.
State-run facilities and respiratory clinics can start giving vaccines to the over-50 group from May 3, and GPs can do the same from May 17.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this was to give doctors "ample time to gear up" but to keep their current focus on the 1a and 1b groups, including over 70s and healthcare workers.
Which vaccine will I get?
Australians over 50 will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The Pfizer shot remains the preferred vaccine for Australians under 50 and those eligible for the vaccine as part of phases 1a and 1b.
What about the risk of blood clots from the AstraZeneca vaccine?
Health department secretary Brendan Murphy wanted to reassure people about the low risk inherent in the AstraZeneca vaccine.
He said federal health experts "are constantly evaluating the risk" and reiterated "the risk of COVID is far, far, far greater than this very rare condition" of blood clots.
As for why the over 50s are receiving the AstraZeneca shot while the Pfizer dose is preferred for under 50s…
"All the three suspected or likely or confirmed cases in Australia have been under 50," Dr Murphy said.
"But as I said, people who for one reason or another, don't feel like having AstraZeneca, and I think they should [get it] … people will have access to Pfizer later in the year. Those who are absolutely at the frontline — the border and quarantine people, the people in the COVID wards — they are still getting access to Pfizer to protect them."
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2021-04-22 09:13:46Z
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