Scott Morrison is being roasted by opponents after dropping the aim to offer all Australians a Covid jab by October.
The prime minister announced on his Facebook page on Sunday that he was scrapping the target because there are ‘many uncertainties involved’.
It comes after scientists recommended under 50s do not take the AstraZeneca vaccine due to a minuscule risk of blood clots, prompting the government to order 20million more doses of Pfizer which will not arrive until October at the earliest.
Scott Morrison (pictured at a service to pay respects to Prince Philip on Sunday) is being roasted by opponents after dropping the aim to offer all Australians a Covid jab by October
Mr Morrison is already under pressure over the glacial pace of the rollout which was supposed to inoculate 4million by the start of April but has only reached 1.1million.
Trade Minister Dan Tehan said on Sunday the government wants to offer everyone the jab by the end of the year, but Mr Morrison said this was not guaranteed.
Independent senator Rex Patrick slammed the PM for failing to set a new target.
‘Having blindly overpromised and then failed to deliver, now Scott Morrison won’t make any new COVID19 Aus vaccine commitments,’ he Tweeted.
‘There’s no published plan because he’s allergic to transparency and no targets set because he lacks leadership.’
Labor frontbencher Kristina Keneally also slammed the PM, tweeting: ‘He set a target of 4 million vaccinated by 31 March. Missed it.
‘He set a target of vaccinating all Australians by October. He’s dropped it.
‘He said Australia would be at the front of the queue for vaccines. We’re not even in the top 100. Scott Morrison is all spin, no delivery.’
Registered Nurse Rebecca DeJong receives an injection of COVID-19 vaccine in Townsville
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said it was ‘beyond belief’ that the Morrison government ‘seem to have no idea about vaccination timetables’.
‘This should have been their main focus given they have handed most responsibility to the states,’ he said on Twitter on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, Australians are being urged to consult with their doctors regarding any concerns they have over AstraZeneca vaccinations.
‘It is critical for Australia’s future that public confidence in the vaccine program is maintained,’ Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid said.
He is urging Australians to discuss with their GP which vaccine they should have, noting most younger Australians would not be eligible for the vaccine until later this year anyway.
Dr Khorshid said the AstraZeneca vaccine remains very safe and effective, and access to the alternative, preferred Pfizer vaccine is likely to be delayed.
‘Our advice for Australians with questions is to make an appointment with their GP for a full discussion about the possible risks and benefits of having the vaccine, or of not having it, taking into account their own specific circumstances,’ he said.
He also noted reports that there has been some talk about doctors being concerned about potential litigation from side-effects of any vaccines.
‘Please be assured that all registered doctors are fully covered – your GP is more concerned with your health,’ he said.
Health Minister Greg Hunt also made the point that vaccine indemnity is already in place.
Mr Hunt insists GPs have ‘flocked’ to participate in the program in the coming week, and have not been put off by the advice on AstraZeneca jab.
There were now 4,000 GP clinics across the nation able to administer the vaccine.
Mr Morrison said Australia’s vaccine program is faring well on an international scale.
‘The latest data shows that Australia’s vaccination program is advancing consistent with comparable countries such as Germany, and ahead of Canada, Sweden, France, NZ, South Korea and Japan at the same stage of their rollouts,’ he said.
Australia had relied heavily on the AstraZeneca vaccine with 53.8million doses ordered. It is also the only jab that it can manufacture onshore at the CSL factory in Melbourne.
I want my mum to get it, and that’s why I want your mum to get it
Scott Morrison on AstraZeneca jab
Australia’s Pfizer vaccines were due to arrive at a rate of 130,000 from April, but Health Minister Greg Hunt said this will now hugely expand and double by July.
Last week Mr Morrison said Australians can still choose to take the the AstraZeneca jab if they want.
‘It is not a ban on the AstraZeneca vaccine, it is not a prohibition on the AstraZeneca vaccine, it recommends and notes that the risk of these side effects are remote.
‘They are very rare. We are talking in the vicinity of five to six per million which is a rather rare event. But it must be acknowledged,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘It’s important so Australians can make informed decisions about their vaccination and their health care with their medical professionals, with their doctor.
‘So there was no instruction not to take that vaccine. There is an acknowledgement of the risk that is there but as is the case always with these matters these are decisions for Australians.’
The prime minster encouraged Australians over 50 to have the AstraZeneca jab because they are less at risk of the clotting events and more at risk of getting seriously sick from Covid-19.
Health Minister Greg Hunt (pictured left while a woman receives her Covid-19 vaccine) said there were now 4,000 GP clinics across the nation administering the vaccine
