Under-40s should not expect to receive doses faster despite speed-up in Pfizer availability: PM

Australia is set to receive some Pfizer vaccines sooner than initially expected, but that doesn’t mean under-40s will get access any time soon.

Australians aged under 40 should not expect to receive a Covid-19 jab faster, despite a ramp-up in the availability of the vaccine, Scott Morrison says.

The Prime Minister told reporters the number of available doses would rise to a million a week from July 19 after some planned Pfizer supplies were brought forward.

But Mr Morrison said the eligibility rules remained the same.

“Decisions haven’t changed in terms of age eligibility,” Mr Morrison said after Friday’s national cabinet meeting.

“That will be considered further based on the supply and by Lieutenant General (John) Frewen and in concert with the medical advice.”

Mr Morrison said the government remained focused on vaccinating Australians aged over 70.

“Older Australians are still the most vulnerable,” he said.

As of Thursday, 72 per cent of Australians over 70 had received their first dose of the vaccine.

The Prime Minister also noted rules about disability care workers had not changed.

“(The medical expert panel) are not at this point recommending mandating of the vaccinations for disability care workers – however, they are strongly recommending it,” he said.

Eligibility for Pfizer will not change for under-40s, the Prime Minister said.
Picture: Jonathan Ng

Instead, aged care workers will continue to be one of the primary focuses of the vaccine rollout.

“I had confirmation from all states and territories except Victoria today that I will be introducing public health orders to mandate the vaccine for aged care workers,” Mr Morrison said.

During national cabinet, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan suggested the government engage the corporate sector to introduce an incentive system to encourage aged care workers to get vaccinated.

“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Mr Morrison told reporters.

The Prime Minister urged those who were eligible for the vaccine to keep getting the jab.

“We implore people who have eligibility for those vaccines to go and get them – particularly if you’re waiting on your second dose.”

Mr Morrison said he had received advice from chief medical officer Paul Kelly that it was safe for Australians to receive their second dose eight weeks after their first.

Despite the announcement of a sped-up rollout of Pfizer, Mr Morrison maintained AstraZeneca was still Australia’s “work horse” in the vaccine program.