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Australia's First Coronavirus Vaccine Has Been Approved For Mass Use

Australia's First Coronavirus Vaccine Has Been Approved For Mass Use

The TGA said the vaccine met the high safety, efficacy and quality standards required for approval.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has officially approved the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.

It's the first Covid-19 vaccine to be approved for mass use in Australia and it's hoped the first jabs will be rolled out in a matter of weeks.

The TGA said the vaccine met the high safety, efficacy and quality standards required for approval and they are happy to allow the public to be inoculated.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is pleased the vaccine has been declared safe and hopes it will be the first step to giving the pandemic the boot.

PA

"Australians should take confidence in the thorough and careful approach taken by our world-class safety regulator," he said.

"Our priority has always been to keep Australians safe and protect lives and livelihoods.

"Today's approval is another big step forward for our community, particularly in the protection of our most vulnerable people."

The Australian government has purchased 10 million doses of this particular vaccine.

People above the age of 16 will be allowed to access the vaccine and every person will be required to have two doses at least 21 days apart.

The regulator has approved the vaccine for two years, but insists they will pause the approval if any safety issues arise.

Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, encouraged Aussies to take up the vaccine when they their first opportunity.

"The TGA's processes are, I believe, the best in the world, and we have ensured that they are thorough," he said.

"This approval and the upcoming rollout of the vaccine will play an important part in our ability to manage the pandemic in 2021."

There was concern two weeks ago about the safety of the Pfizer vaccine after 29 people died in Norway following their vaccination. After a thorough review, it was revealed the deaths were not caused by the vaccine.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia