Scott Morrison to send emergency vaccines to Sydney after states refused to help out

Sydney will be given tens of thousands of extra Covid vaccines after other states refused to help NSW. It comes as celebrities bare arms to get the jab.

Sydney will be given tens of thousands of extra Covid vaccines from the federal government’s emergency stockpile after other states and territories refused Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s desperate plea to divert their jabs to NSW.

On Friday Ms Berejiklian dec­lared NSW’s rapidly escalating Covid outbreak a national emerg­ency. This has forced the government to change its vaccine protocols and postpone people’s second jabs, allowing hundreds of thousands to get one vaccine more quickly.

Gladys Berejiklian has dec­lared NSW’s escalating Covid outbreak a national emergency. Picture: Getty Images

“Dr Kerry Chant and her team ­advised us that the situation that exists in NSW, mainly around southwestern and now Western Sydney suburbs, is ­regarded as a national emergency,” she said.

“There is no doubt that if we want to contain this virus and stop it seeping out to other parts of Greater Sydney, stop it impacting our freedom and our economy, but also stop it spreading to other states, we need to have a discussion about refocusing the national vaccination strategy.”

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison said after national cabinet that vaccines would not be diverted from other states and territories.

“We are not going to disrupt the vaccination program across the rest of the country,” he said.

However, while no doses would be taken from other jurisdictions, extra jabs would be made available from Canberra’s emergency reserves.

Presenter Erin Holland proudly shows off her Band-aid.

Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes vaccinates.

Calculations are under way to work exactly how much the move will boost NSW’s vaccine rollout, but the federal government is confident the changes will allow hundreds of thousands more to be vaccinated quickly.

Epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely, from Melbourne University, welcomed the changes. “This is a good idea as one dose of Pfizer provides pretty good protection against the delta variant and we are awash in AstraZeneca for which the evidence is people need the second shot,” he said.

It comes amid escalating tensions between the two leaders, with details emerging that offers of ADF troops to NSW were rejected by the Premier.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the offer, which was made July 7, was rejected because the large-scale police operation was already being planned.

Dr Chant said people should be prepared to have second dose appointments delayed to six weeks or cancelled.

Netballer Liz Ellis getting her vaccination.

Comedian Andy Lee gets his shot.

“Some of those changes may impact on individuals, it may be that we need to cancel your booking, but we have to make these hard choices if we are going to see these numbers stabilise first and then decline,” she said.

Dr Chant called on the federal government to fast-track vaccines for workers in the 20-49 age group in Western Sydney, who were often critical workers, couldn’t stay at home and were not eligible.

Blacktown and Cumberland local government areas will join Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury-Bankstown in stricter lockdown conditions.

TAKING UP ARMS FOR VAX BATTLE

The message is clear — get jabbed, trust the science and ignore the anti-vaxxer delusions and conspiracies.

Photos of masked Sydneysiders rolling up their sleeves to get vaccinated or sitting out their post-jab protocol at vaccination centres are flooding social media feeds as getting protected becomes more important than ever.

Foodie Maggie Beer bares her arm.

Jessica Rowe gets her jab.

Celebrities are also using their influence to join the unofficial campaign in the push to vaccinate.

The message is clear: We’re all in this together — let’s get it done.

“How I spent my Sunday — lining up with 7000 good citizens to get shot one of the vaccine — book yours via NSW Health,” actor Russell Crowe tweeted to his 2.7 million followers.

And he’s in good company.

Everyone from Naomi Watts to Celeste Barber, rock legend Jimmy Barnes, chef Maggie Beer and model Pia Miller are getting on board to spread the message.

“Aaaaand it’s done!” wrote netball legend Liz Ellis on social media. “I actually feel quite emotional … elated and thankful for the smart people who developed this vaccine.”

Sydney mother Kim Smee, 39, was one who made sure the message was out there. She missed out on Pfizer so saw her GP and had AstraZeneca.

“Millions are still waiting for a chance to be vaccinated — a year ago we were crying out for one,” she said. “I’m happy to step forward.”

Central Coast mental health adviser Ashleigh Mills got her second jab at Homebush Vaccination Hub on Thursday, and said she was lucky she had booked back in May.

- by LISA MAYOH