SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia will seek the support of defense forces in its vaccination action against COVID-19, authorities said on Wednesday, as it appears to be stepping up a delayed running deployment program.
The Australian Defense Force (ADF) will provide assistance in deploying vaccines to caregivers in rural and regional areas that are not easily accessible by other medical providers, said Acting Minister of Defense Marise Payne.
ADF teams are expected to begin next week and will focus on planning, logistics and operations support.
“As we move to the next phase of vaccine deployment for the care of the elderly and continue the expansion of equipment, additional nurses, pharmacists, and providers are added, and FAD vaccination equipment complements these efforts, “Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement.
Australia began mass inoculation of its 25 million population on 22 February, with leading health workers and the elderly getting the first shots, but lost almost half of its dosing target during the first week.
Authorities were only able to administer just under 34,000 doses in the first week, according to government data, as the pace of the vaccination unit slowed after two elderly people inadvertently received twice the recommended dose.
Minister Hunt, however, said the country’s vaccination schedule was nearing completion by the end of October, and more doses are expected to arrive in the country without delay and local vaccine production to begin shortly. weeks.
With just under 29,000 cases of COVID-19 and 909 deaths, Australia largely escaped the high figure compared to other developed countries, aided by strict blockades, rapid tracking systems and border closures.
Australia on Tuesday extended the closure of its international borders for three months until June 17 after authorities deemed the emergence of more virulent variants of the virus to pose serious public health risks.
He has reported cases of zero digits or lows in recent weeks.
Reports of Renju Jose; Lincoln Feast Edition.