Live breaking news: Epidemiologist reveals Australia's magic vaccination number

A leading epidemiologist has revealed what percentage of Australians would need to be vaccinated in order for lockdowns to end.

A leading epidemiologist has revealed what percentage of Australians would need to be vaccinated in order for lockdowns to end.

On Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a four-phase plan to get Australia on the pathway out of Covid-19. 

Phase Two of the plan is where focus shifts from suppressing the virus to minimising serious illness and death.

Australia can only move to Phase Two when a certain percentage of the population has been vaccinated, but Mr Morrison has not yet revealed what that number is.

“The post-vaccination phase will be entered once we reach a threshold of vaccination to be determined by the modelling process we’re currently engaged in,” Mr Morrison said.

“This will be a scientific number. It won’t be a political number, it won’t be an arbitrary number. (It) may include specific targets on vaccination of vulnerable populations, such as those over 70, and we are at 70 per cent now, I think, on vaccination of the first dose for those over 70. That is the gate we have to get through.”

Mary-Louise McLaws, a Professor of Epidemiology at UNSW, appeared on The Sunday Project and was asked what percentage of the country would need to be vaccinated in order to move to Phase Two.

“Well, the percentage depends on the mutation,” Ms McLaws said. “Somewhere between 67 per cent of total population and 80 per cent, and preferably 80 per cent, is needed to cover so that we have this herd immunity so that we can lift restrictions. 

“But I'd remind all your viewers that lockdowns shouldn't be completely dismissed,” Ms McLaws continued. “We need it in rare events once we're all vaccinated. But, you know, let's go for at least 80 per cent of the population vaccinated.”

The population of Australia is 25 million, meaning 65 per cent would be 16.25 million people and 80 per cent would be 20 million people.

Currently, 8.2 million doses of vaccine have been handed out in Australia so far.

Follow along for more today's Covid-19 updates: You can find yesterday's blog here.