Australians to get early access to coronavirus vaccine in January: Morrison

Australia expects to receive its first batch of potential coronavirus vaccine in January after it struck a deal with pharmaceutical companies. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that government signed a $1.7 billion supply and production agreement under which University of Oxford/AstraZeneca and University of Queensland/CSL will provide more than 84.8 million vaccine doses.

“Australians will gain free access to a COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 if trials prove successful,” Prime Minister said in a statement.

government has struck a deal with CSL Ltd to manufacture two potential coronavirus vaccines - one developed by Oxford University/AstraZeneca and or by CSL’s own labs in collaboration with University of Queensland. Australians will have free access to more than 84.8 million vaccine doses, with early access to 3.8 million doses of AZD1222, Oxford University/AstraZeneca-developed vaccine candidate, in January and February 2021.

“re are guarantees that se vaccines will prove successful, however, agreement puts Australia at top of queue, if our medical experts give vaccines green light,” ded Morrison.

Re: UNICEF To Le Global Procurement, Supply Of COVID-19 Vaccines

Re: COVID-19 Vaccine Developed By China To Include 50,000 People In Phase 3 Clinical Trial

Lockdown extended

anuncement comes at a time when authorities have extended a strict lockdown in Melbourne by two weeks, citing t eugh decline in COVID-19 cases. However, Australian state of Victoria, epicentre of second wave, has reported 41 coronavirus cases in past 24 hours, lowest single-day surge since June 26.

Australia has reported 26,322 confirmed cases of coronavirus across country with over 97 per cent recovery rate and 762 related deaths so far. Morrison ackwledged that AstraZeneca vaccine candidate is in a more vanced st while University of Queensland still has some work to do, but government is fully backing it.

“By securing production and supply agreements, Australians will be among first in world to receive a safe and effective vaccine, should it pass late-st testing,” said Morrison.

Re: Moscow's COVID-19 Death Toll Soars To 4,891 As Russia Tests 'Sputnik V' Vaccine

Re: US Election 2020: Kamala Harris Touts Trump's Push For COVID-19 Vaccine As Re-election Bid