Australia okays Pfizer vaccine, to begin in Feb


PTI, Jan 25, 2021, 8:59 AM IST

Sydney: Australia’s medical regulator has approved use of its first coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for inoculations to begin next month.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration on Monday gave provisional approval for people aged 16 and over to use the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

Residents and workers at aged-care facilities, frontline healthcare workers and quarantine workers are among the groups being prioritised for the first doses.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed the development. He said Australia was among the first countries to complete a comprehensive process to formally approve a vaccine rather than just grant an emergency approval.

Australia has an agreement for 10 million doses of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine and an option to buy more if supplies allow.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said Monday the country overall had secured 140 million vaccines, one of the highest dosing rates per head of population in the world.

The biggest of the pre-orders, conditional on regulatory approval, is 53.8 million doses of the vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, 50 million of which would be made in Australia in a partnership with Melbourne-based biopharmaceutical company CSL.

Australia is aiming to complete inoculations by October. The nation of 26 million people has reported fewer than 30,000 virus cases and a little over 900 deaths.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Nelamangala accident: Police expedite probe, CCTV images being scrutinised

Minister Parameshwara directs police to ensure tight security in Bengaluru on New Year’s eve

Teachings of Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony: PM Modi at Christmas celebrations

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal passes away

Passenger gets back misplaced bag containing valuables worth Rs 20 lakh at Mangaluru airport

Karnataka govt approves 9 industrial projects worth Rs 9,823 Cr

Shami not fully fit yet, ruled out of remaining two Tests in Australia

Related Articles More

‘Send Sheikh Hasina back to country’: Bangladesh writes to India

India & Kuwait elevate ties to strategic level; ink defence pact after PM Modi meets top Kuwaiti leaders

In Kuwait, PM Modi meets yoga practitioner, other influencers from Gulf country

PM Modi receives Kuwait’s highest honour

PM Modi in Kuwait meets translator, publisher of Mahabharata, Ramayana in Arabic

MUST WATCH

Tulunadu Daivaradane

Feeding Birds with Creative Paddy Art!

Areca Nut

HOTEL SRI DURGA BHAVANA

Harish Poonja


Latest Additions

Kalaburagi: Woman sustains burns after live electric wire falls on her

Nelamangala accident: Police expedite probe, CCTV images being scrutinised

Rohan Estate Mukka – Resort-style luxury layout launched

Minister Parameshwara directs police to ensure tight security in Bengaluru on New Year’s eve

Teachings of Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony: PM Modi at Christmas celebrations

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.