New Zealand and Australia have received their first batches of Covid-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer, their leaders said Monday.
The New Zealand shipment includes 60,000 doses, which should be enough to monitor its “front-line workforce in the coming weeks,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Vaccines will continue to arrive in small steps.
The office of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country had received more than 142,000 doses, of which 80,000 would be released as of February 22. About 50,000 will go to quarantine and health workers in the front lines of states and territories, and 30,000 will go to care for the elderly, residents of care for people with disabilities. and health workers.
“The vaccine has landed and we are stepping up our fight against the pandemic,” he said.
Australia also provided 53.8 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and 51 million doses of Novavax vaccine, although the two were not approved by regulators.
New Zealand’s first border staff: Ardern said authorities expect to start offering vaccines to border personnel and those working in quarantine or isolation facilities as of Saturday.
During the week, the vaccine will be tested for quality assurance and, once the safety check is complete, the doses will be released to begin the first phase of the vaccination program.
“We expect to vaccinate all border workers within two to three weeks, followed by their household contacts,” Ardern said.
The wider population will be vaccinated in the second half of the year due to supply constraints.
Ardern said New Zealand had purchased enough vaccines to unreservedly cover all residents, regardless of visa status.