Australia coronavirus vaccine rollout ‘ahead of schedule’, Health Minister Greg Hunt says

Australia’s health minister says a contract with a COVID-19 vaccine provider has been finalised, and the country is on track to distribute all vaccines by October.

Australia’s contract with a coronavirus vaccine provider has been finalised and the national rollout is “ahead of schedule”, Health Minister Greg Hunt says.

If it successfully passes approval processes, 51 million doses of the Novavax vaccine will be made available in Australia – enough to vaccinate the entire population.

Mr Hunt said he was pleased with the pace of the process so far, with all vaccines set to be distributed by October.

“We remain not only on track but ahead of schedule for our vaccine rollout and, indeed, it’s in a very similar position to New Zealand,” he said on Sunday.

“Our goal is very clear: to make sure that every Australian who seeks to be vaccinated is given free, voluntary and universal access to vaccination, with that to be completed during 2021.”