It’s an emotional moment as Australia’s first recipients line up for the COVID-19 vaccine today. This cunning virus has brought us a year of illness, deaths, lockdowns, job losses, school closures, financial stress and business closures. It has revolutionised work and social patterns. It has separated families and brought severe hardship for some.
All of us have skin in this game. For vaccine experts, who usually discuss vaccination with scientific cool, there is an added spark of relief and joy. Just nine months ago, many were sceptical of the prospect of finding a vaccine, let alone putting one of them in arms by February.
Jane Malysiak recieves Australia’s first COVID-19 vaccination in an early group on Sunday ahead of Monday’s rollout.Credit:Edwina Pickles
The government hopes to vaccinate 80 per cent of Australians by October. Achieving this ambitious target will depend on ensuring we have the supply, all eligible people have access to a vaccine and are confident about receiving it, that the services run well and that all health professionals with expertise, such as nurses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, are used to their full capacity to deliver it.
This rollout is one of the most complex logistical exercises undertaken by our nation. People have worked night and day to get us ready. But there will still be setbacks, challenges, debates and the unexpected along the way.
