The WHO wants 40% of the world covered by year’s end. Not much chance in Australia — it’s June, and just 2% of us are fully vaccinated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says government leaders need to pledge an extra US$50 billion to help end the coronavirus pandemic. The cash could be used to boost manufacturing and distribution of medical supplies and vaccines — and have 40% of the world’s population vaccinated by the end of 2021. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced today that Australia will donate an extra $50 million to the Gavi vaccine alliance’s COVAX facility for vaccine equity.
Australia’s current rollout pace means it is not likely to meet the WHO’s new goal. Despite throwing $7.2 billion at the rollout — including a tidy $155.9 million given directly to private contractors — only 4.5 million doses have made it into Australian arms, with just 17% of the adult population having received their first jab, and just 2% fully vaccinated.
And as was revealed in Senate estimates this week, just 1.6% of people living in residential disability accommodation — one of the highest priority groups — have been fully vaccinated.
Want to know if WHO will step in and help Australia get its rollout right?
Already a subscriber? Log in to keep reading.
Or, register your email address for a FREE 21-day trial.
