Australia has been one of the world’s success stories in its fight against Covid-19, but frustration is growing over its delayed vaccination rollout.
The country has been slower than most others to immunise its population, with some high-risk groups crying out for protection.
Last month, it fell 85% short of its own target – and the lack of clarity around the process has been criticised.
Supply shortages and delivery problems have been blamed for the delays.
And while steps have been taken to speed up the programme – such as mass immunisation hubs and investment in local production – the government is seeing its success so far in battling Covid tarnished by its sluggish vaccination effort.
How many Australians have been vaccinated?
The rollout began in February and so far 1.6 million vaccine doses have been administered nationwide in a population of 25 million. That’s well short of the four million dose goal originally set for March.
After initially saying all Australians would be fully vaccinated by October, the government kept pushing its timeline. Now, it’s scrapped its target altogether.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said given the “many uncertainties involved” it was no longer possible to set an end-of-year vaccination goal.
Right now, Australia is in the initial phases of a staged rollout. Doses are currently being offered to people over 70, those in aged care homes, frontline health workers, emergency services workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 55, and people with underlying health conditions.
Still, many in those high-risk groups in the aged care and disability sector say they haven’t received doses.
Last week, disability services provider Aruma, which runs about 350 group homes for people with severe disabilities, told the ABC that none of its residents or staff members had been vaccinated.
A survey of 254 aged care workers by the United Workers Union found that 85% hadn’t even received their first dose.
“Too much confusion… limited information from government,” one aged care worker from South Australia said. “I do not know of one single person or resident that has had a Covid shot.”
