Australia won’t rush COVID-19 vaccine approval as UK prepares for rollout

Australia will not follow Britain in approving an emergency-authorised coronavirus vaccine after the UK became the first country to green-light a vaccine rollout.

Scott Morrison leaves quarantine at The Lodge. Picture: Gary Ramage

Australia will not follow Britain in approving an emergency-authorised coronavirus vaccine after the UK became the first country to green-light the rollout of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine from as early as Monday.

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration is aiming to authorise a vaccine early next year, and TGA deputy secretary John Skerritt says an approval before March was possible if the regulatory body received full submissions from leading vaccine producers in the next week.

Scott Morrison said Britain faced a more serious challenge in curtailing the virus and stressed the federal government would prioritise the approval of a safe vaccine for Australians.

“It must be safe for Australians and that is what they would ­expect of us,” the Prime Minister said. “The vaccine strategy is now in its advanced stage of preparation and that will further be considered by the cabinet, the federal cabinet, we are working with the state and territories closely and the rollout plans that extend from that strategy.”

“The UK will need to deal with their situation and their circumstances in their way. Of course they should, and it has been a consistent theme around the world that each nation has had its own set of unique challenges.”

Politicians on both sides could volunteer to have the vaccine to prove to Australians it is safe and effective, with the PM and Health Minister Greg Hunt saying they would be willing to be vaccinated to encourage public uptake.

“I’ve actually had this discussion with Chris Bowen on the basis that none of us want to be jumping the queue … But nor do we want to mean there’s any lack of confidence,” Mr Hunt said.

“There’s no medical advice that we should have a special exemption. But it may be there are some of us … on all sides of the chamber … put forward on a voluntary basis as a demonstration.”

This week, the medical regulator deemed the jab, which offers up to 95 per cent protection, is safe for rollout. Healthcare workers, elderly and vulnerable people will be prioritised from next week. Britain has ordered 40 million doses, to vaccinate 20 million people with two shots each. Ten million doses will arrive there in days. Australia has a deal with Pfizer to purchase 10 million doses of its mRNA vaccine.