Invest
Australia’s vaccine crawl: 2023 is the likely rollout completion date
While Greg Hunt won’t admit it, Australia’s vaccine rollout is lagging dangerously behind much of the rest of the world. And while our government is quick to rank us first in regards to our wins on the health and economic fronts, it sure isn’t too happy when asked about our global vaccine standing.
Australia’s vaccine crawl: 2023 is the likely rollout completion date
While Greg Hunt won’t admit it, Australia’s vaccine rollout is lagging dangerously behind much of the rest of the world. And while our government is quick to rank us first in regards to our wins on the health and economic fronts, it sure isn’t too happy when asked about our global vaccine standing.
As Victoria grapples with its fourth lockdown, it has become clear that Mr Hunt may no longer be on the ball. In fact, several of his assurances are in tatters in recent days, including the very dangerous and quite simply false assertion that 100 per cent of aged care residents have been vaccinated.
While aged care residents and workers were identified as the priority group when the vaccine finally reached Aussie shores, the outbreak in Victoria has revealed that some aged care homes had not even received their first dose of the vaccine. And while that has now reportedly been reversed, with the government directing extra doses to these facilities last week, could it be a case of ‘too little, too late’?
As of end-May, it is estimated only 2 per cent of Australian adults have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
And recent research isn’t promising an acceleration, with data from Provocate revealing that while the Victorian lockdown has seen a lift in vaccination rates in the past week, the rates were still half the 200,000 daily vaccinations needed to meet the federal budget’s revised target of completing the rollout by the end of 2021.
In fact, according to the figures, Australia dropped five places in the past month from 5th to 10th of the 14 nations benchmarked by the Australian Department of Health.
“Australia’s lagging rate of vaccination at home is having a significant impact on its global standing, as well as the risk of market share losses to competitor countries that reopen faster,” said Provocate managing director Troy Bilsborough.
“For example, Australia has one of the slowest start dates and lowest vaccination rates of all G20 nations.”
Provocate’s outlook is worrying, with Mr Bilsborough noting that until Australia is consistently averaging at least 1 million jabs in arms per week, every week, then Aussies should plan for a vaccine rollout completion closer to 2023 than 2021.
“The current ‘grass is greener’ message around an end of year vaccination boost is the single biggest risk to Australia’s vaccine rollout right now and will only increase as federal election pressure mounts,” Mr Bilsborough said.
“Unless Australia can strike a deal with a close ally like the US or UK to loan it urgent vaccine surplus between now and October, the only way for Australia to get back on track is collectively convince itself to accept and administer its current vaccine stocks and actively reduce promises of safer batches to come,” he added.
But it’s not just the businesses advisory firms that are concerned, with journalists now taking aim at the Health Minister and presenting him with some pretty hard truths.
In fact, just last week, Natalie Barr, the host of the Sunrise Show, asked Mr Hunt whether Aussies are hesitating to get the jab because for months they heard the words “no rush” from both himself and the PM. Mr Hunt then repeatedly interrupted Ms Barr with “that’s false”.
She, however, was not deterred, persisting with the words “your government and the Prime Minister were saying there is no rush”.
It was the producer who saved the segment by playing a clip of the PM repeating “it’s no race”.
Well, luckily it’s not a race, because if it was, we’d be doing dreadfully.
About the author
About the author
Economy
CPI data another piece in RBA's interest rate decision puzzle, says REIA
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that inflation rose 3.4% in the 12 months to February 2024, unchanged from the previous two months, ...Read more
Economy
Including passive job seekers in unemployment measure doesn't impact economic cycle view, study finds
New research from e61 Institute has found that while current unemployment measures may not capture all job seekers, broader definitions that include passive job searchers do not provide better ...Read more
Economy
Survey reveals heightened job security concerns among IT workers in 2024
A recent survey conducted by Authority Hacker has revealed that 89.66% of IT workers in the United States have increased concerns about job loss in 2024. Read more
Economy
Australian founders adapt to the challenging fundraising environment with optimism and strategic shifts
The landscape for start-up funding in Australia has been increasingly challenging, but this has not dampened the spirit of the country's entrepreneurs. Read more
Economy
Signs point to possible US economic 'soft landing' in ClearBridge analysis
The US economy may be steering towards a 'soft landing' despite mixed signals from the stock market, according to a recent analysis by ClearBridge Investments. Read more
Economy
Alternative fund managers predict capital raising surge in 2024
Alternative investment fund managers are predicting a sizable increase in capital raising efforts in 2024, according to a global study by Ocorian, a leading alternative investment fund administratorRead more
Economy
Understanding the economic indicators that affect your earnings
The landscape of personal finance is profoundly influenced by broader economic trends and indicators. Read more
Economy
Navigate market turbulence with expert advice: no crystal ball needed
In an era fraught with investment market uncertainties, from fluctuating interest rates to geopolitical strife, seasoned market experts are guiding investors through the mire, offering sage advice on ...Read more
Economy
CPI data another piece in RBA's interest rate decision puzzle, says REIA
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that inflation rose 3.4% in the 12 months to February 2024, unchanged from the previous two months, ...Read more
Economy
Including passive job seekers in unemployment measure doesn't impact economic cycle view, study finds
New research from e61 Institute has found that while current unemployment measures may not capture all job seekers, broader definitions that include passive job searchers do not provide better ...Read more
Economy
Survey reveals heightened job security concerns among IT workers in 2024
A recent survey conducted by Authority Hacker has revealed that 89.66% of IT workers in the United States have increased concerns about job loss in 2024. Read more
Economy
Australian founders adapt to the challenging fundraising environment with optimism and strategic shifts
The landscape for start-up funding in Australia has been increasingly challenging, but this has not dampened the spirit of the country's entrepreneurs. Read more
Economy
Signs point to possible US economic 'soft landing' in ClearBridge analysis
The US economy may be steering towards a 'soft landing' despite mixed signals from the stock market, according to a recent analysis by ClearBridge Investments. Read more
Economy
Alternative fund managers predict capital raising surge in 2024
Alternative investment fund managers are predicting a sizable increase in capital raising efforts in 2024, according to a global study by Ocorian, a leading alternative investment fund administratorRead more
Economy
Understanding the economic indicators that affect your earnings
The landscape of personal finance is profoundly influenced by broader economic trends and indicators. Read more
Economy
Navigate market turbulence with expert advice: no crystal ball needed
In an era fraught with investment market uncertainties, from fluctuating interest rates to geopolitical strife, seasoned market experts are guiding investors through the mire, offering sage advice on ...Read more