Victoria says federal government failed to deliver 40,000 COVID-19 vaccines

One state claims a delivery of about 40,000 coronavirus vaccines did not arrive, as the federal government faces mounting criticism over the rollout.

Victorian authorities say the federal government failed to deliver a batch of COVID-19 vaccines scheduled to arrive last week, as frustration about the rollout intensifies.

Nationwide, only 670,000 doses have been administered so far, way off the 4 million target by the end of March that Prime Minister Scott Morrison set in January.

Complicating the rollout is federal authorities recommending the Pfizer vaccine instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged under 50 over concerns about blot clots.

While Victorian authorities on Thursday said the state had met all of its targets, a promised delivery of 40,000 doses from the Commonwealth did not arrive last week.

But state Health Minister Martin Foley said he did not want to play the blame game as the country battled a global pandemic.

“There’s been a few bumps along the way, as we’ve seen over recent times, but we think now is the time to have that national conversation about ‘is there a better way to do this?’,” Mr Foley said.

“This is not a time for semantics, this is not a time for one level of government to be taking issue with another - this is a global pandemic that requires all levels of government to cooperate.”

The Victorian Government wants more clarity from the Commonwealth around the vaccine rollout. Picture: Michael M Santiago/Getty Images/AFP

Victoria has administered more than 129,00 doses already, but the state may have to dip into its reserves to vaccinate vulnerable populations and frontline workers if delays continue.

About 95 per cent of Victoria’s hotel quarantine workers have been vaccinated.

Mr Foley said he was in talks with his federal counterpart Greg Hunt daily and there was a desire to improve the current system.

“We’re still waiting on the delivery of those doses, and clearly having that forward knowledge of how many doses are arriving and when they’re arriving is really important when trying to scale up both a sustainable and efficient system,” Mr Foley said.

Victoria is expanding the number of sites and outreach models for its vaccine delivery, and announced on Thursday an ambitious plan to vaccinate 300,000 people by the middle of May.

Two new high-volume centres will be available at the Melbourne Showgrounds and the Mercure Ballarat, adding to five original vaccine hubs.

Community vaccination centres will also be established at Prahran, Lilydale, Broadmeadows, Wester Melbourne and Deer Park, and mobile vaccination vans will also be provided.

Martin Foley has criticised the Commonwealth’s handling of the vaccine rollout. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

The state has also offered to vaccinate people in cohorts outside its current 1a group of health, emergency, critical workers and the elderly to ease the burden on the federal system.

Deputy Premier James Merlino said meeting the new target would be dependent on vaccine supply from the commonwealth and pushed for the issue to be brought up at national cabinet on Friday.

“As long as we get the supply from the commonwealth, we can meet the targets that we set and we’ve said that all along,” Mr Merlino said.

“We need public confidence in the rollout of the vaccination program.”

Mr Merlino said he was concerned about “disparities between the states” and wanted a more consistent approach from his federal colleagues.

“We acknowledge that there’s been challenges of supply and distribution, challenges on a global scale and we’re not in the blame game,” he said.

“We can do more, we can broaden the program, but that’s a decision of the commonwealth and we need national consistency.

“This is the biggest medical logistical exercise in the history of our nation, so it’s difficult.”

Professor Ben Cowie. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

Senior adviser to Victoria’s vaccination program Ben Cowie said it was important data and reporting transparency was improved.

“We’ve got reserves to be able to ride out those bumps in the road,” Professor Cowie said.

“This is something we’re dealing with right now and we’re in contact with our colleagues to work out any issues we can to support distribution.”

The state recorded its 41st day with zero active cases as it reopened to international travel.