Vaccine milestone reached as first 300,000 AstraZeneca doses flown into Australia

Australia hit an exciting milestone in the fight against COVID-19 on Sunday as 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine touched down in Sydney.

The first batch of Australia’s 53.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine have touched down in Sydney.

The 300,000 doses of the new COVID-19 vaccine will be now be assessed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) before being distributed across the country.

Workers unload the first 300,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine at Sydney airport on Sunday. Picture: Edwina Pickles.

It marks a milestone in Australia’s planned recovery from the global pandemic, with another 50 million doses to be manufactured in the country by CSL.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new vaccine would undergo the same rigorous TGA process undertaken for the Pfizer vaccine.

He said the arrival meant authorities could scale up the rollout to priority groups, including elderly Australians and frontline border and health workers.

Another 50 million doses will be manufactured in Australia by CSL on behalf of AstraZeneca this year.

“Most Australians will receive the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, with the rollout of these due to commence from March 8, provided they clear the TGA’s rigorous batch testing process,” Mr Morrison said.

“Australia is in a unique position because importantly this vaccine gives us the ability to manufacture onshore.

“Every Australian who wishes to be vaccinated will be able to receive a vaccine this year.”

The doses will be distributed via logistics partners DHL and Linfox.

Aged care and disability care residents and workers, frontline healthcare workers, and quarantine and border workers will be the first to receive the priority vaccines.

Another 50 million vaccines will be manufactured onshore and one million of these doses will be delivered each week from late March.

Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt said people could be vaccinated through their usual GP, local respiratory centre and eventually community pharmacies.

“The cold chain requirements of this vaccine – it can be stored and handled in the same way as any other vaccine – make it a very good candidate for a country like Australia,” Mr Hunt said.

“As well, vaccine providers can use some of the vaccine vial, put the rest back in the fridge for 48 hours and use the rest the next day.

“This will save lives and protect lives.

“Having AstraZeneca available in Australia provides an easier avenue for distribution across the nation, meaning people in rural, regional and remote areas will not have to travel as far to receive their vaccine.”

Pending TGA approval, the Government has also secured 51 million doses of the Novavax vaccine.

The Federal Government has also signed up to the international COVAX facility, which provides access to a range of vaccines to immunise up to 50 per cent of the population.