Australia has approved its first COVID-19 vaccine for use — and it couldn’t come soon enough.
Following an independent review, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has given the Pfizer vaccine the green light, paving the way for those aged 16 and older to get the jab.
The Government wants to start rolling out the vaccine in February, prioritising groups such as healthcare workers and Australians in aged care homes.
Here’s what you need to know about the process.
When does it start?
According to the Federal Government, the first groups in Australia will start receiving the vaccine in late February. That’s a few weeks later than the previous mid-February timeline, but earlier than predictions for March.
Who gets it first?
Priority groups — such as aged care and disability care residents and workers, frontline healthcare workers, and quarantine and border workers — will be the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.