Via The Australian:
Health Minister Greg Hunt says he is “genuinely optimistic” a COVID-19 vaccine will be internationally available by next year, declaring the nation is close to reaching a deal to produce it in Australia.
Mr Hunt said he had been cautious in the past to say that a vaccine would become available but the latest medical advice had been a “genuine ray of hope”, suggesting there had been great progress across multiple vaccine candidates.
“We are in advanced negotiations with a range of different companies with regards to a vaccine,” he told Sky News on Sunday. “I have been very cautious in the past about the prospect of a vaccine. I am now on the basis of our best health advice, genuinely more optimistic.
I loath anti-vaxxers so don’t get me wrong. I am fully immunised.
But I equally loath lying governments who are clearly rushing the vaccine process.
I will not be taking a COVID-19 vaccine until it has been through all appropriate trials. Given these are basically a matter of time, rushing it means the processes have been compromised. The US has, in fact, waved indemnity for drugmakers to guarantee such a rush.
Remember Swine Flu:
I can think of no better way to bring back cholera, polio, diphtheria etc than rushing the COVID-19 vaccine.
