States lash feds over lack of Pfizer vaccine supply

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Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath says the state may have to stop administering first doses of the Pfizer vaccine by the end of July if it cannot secure more supplies from the federal government.

In a similar vein, Victoria may only be able to provide 40,000 new doses a week from the beginning of July, down from the 80,000 a week it was providing until recently, whereas the NSW government has also expressed concern about a lack of doses.

The states’ concern comes after the decision by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation to advise against the AstraZeneca jab being administered to people aged under 60, which prompted an urgent meeting of national cabinet yesterday, which focused on a recalibration of the vaccine rollout.

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About the author
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.