ALEX CULLEN: As Aussie kids prepare to roll up their sleeves today, GPs across the country are sounding the alarm as vaccine supply issues threaten the latest rollout.
SARAH ABO: Let's bring in Lieutenant General John Frewen who heads the COVID Vaccination Taskforce. Good morning to you, Lieutenant, thank you for your time this morning.
JOHN FREWEN: Hey, Sarah.
SARAH ABO: Just how crucial is this phase of Australia's jab rollout?
JOHN FREWEN: Yeah look, this is a really important day for the rollout. This is really the last piece of the puzzle bringing in the 5 to 11-year-olds. I know lots of parents and kids have been looking forward to this. So we've got a, you know, very comprehensive network in place now. People have had the chance to get bookings in over the last month and we're looking forward to getting the numbers through today.
ALEX CULLEN: Lieutenant, we're hearing that the problem is GPs - they just can't get the supply. Has this been sorted?
JOHN FREWEN: Yeah look, there are more than 10,000 points of vaccination across the country now. The majority of those will be involved in the roll out of 5 to 11s. The GPs, pharmacists, there will also be state and territory hubs in some of the states and territories that will be getting the kids through as well. There are vaccines out across the country now. People have got bookings in place. We have been working with GPs and pharmacists in particular who may have been having particular challenges getting supply urgently, where necessary, to some of these places. So with people, I would just say if you can't get an appointment at the moment with your primary care provider - your GP for example - then please do try the pharmacies. Please keep an eye out for state and territory clinics, because there are many, many thousands of places where people will be able to go.
SARAH ABO: And Lieutenant, timing is always key with these rollouts. We know that kids won't be fully vaccinated anywhere before school resumes. Queensland is already taking action - they are concerned about this. Should the rest of the country be worried?
JOHN FREWEN: No look, that's- I mean, that's really a matter for Queensland. We have got enough vaccines to get every kid - there is 2.3 million kids who become eligible today - we will have the vaccines to get all of them the first dose if that's what they choose to do. And we certainly encourage everybody to get that first dose before they get back to school. And then, of course, we will have the vaccines in due course for when they can swing around to get their second dose. But getting that first dose is a really important first step, and again, I just encourage everybody to- if they haven't got a booking in, to get themselves down to get vaccinated.
ALEX CULLEN: But Lieutenant, is that first dose enough though? Many would say that first dose simply isn't enough.
JOHN FREWEN: Yeah well, I mean that's- I will leave that to the medical experts. But in terms of going through the process, first dose is where you start. So we're all set up today and we're keen to start seeing people through the doors.
SARAH ABO: This rollout comes, of course, at the same time the Government is pushing for all of us to get our booster jabs as well. Are you comfortable with how this is tracking, how the GPs and pharmacies around the country are able to schedule?
JOHN FREWEN: Yeah, no, look. The booster progress is going very well. You'd be aware that, you know, there is now more than eight million Australians who are eligible. Those numbers are growing every day. But we're seeing really great take-up. I think on Friday we saw almost about 270,000 vaccines administered. I think about 230,000 of those were boosters. Across the weekend, we've had another cumulatively about 260,000 vaccines done. I think about 240,000 of those is boosters. So there is really strong uptake. We were at about 60% of eligible people had had their boosters before the start of the month, when the additional millions came in. We're now up over 40%, so we're seeing really strong uptake. It is very pleasing. But, you know, big, complex endeavour- said 10,000 points of vaccination, but there is enough supply for all of the people to get their boosters, and there is enough supply for the kids. Again, if people- I just urge a little bit of patience if people are having troubles. But for any of the anecdotal stories about, you know, supply concerns, or not able to get a booking, there are many thousands of very positive stories and many, many thousands of people, many- millions of people, in fact - 3.5 million people have already had their boosters.
ALEX CULLEN: There is 8 weeks at the moment between that first and second dose. Could that come back to 5 weeks?
JOHN FREWEN: Look, that's for the- that's the kids' duration. That's a matter for ATAGI and the medical authorities. So really we're in the getting the vaccines out their business, so...
ALEX CULLEN: [Talks over] Are you prepared for that, if that happens?
JOHN FREWEN: Yeah look, no- there is supply- again, the supply of vaccines now isn't the concern. Distribution is our hardest challenge. We're working, you know, around the clock to make sure that we're getting the vaccines out to all of the places we can get them to. We've had, as I said, great uptake on boosters very quickly, and I expect we're going to see the same with the kids over the next couple of weeks.
ALEX CULLEN: All right.
SARAH ABO: Yeah, let's hope the rollout is seamless. Thank you so much for your time. Lieutenant General John Frewen, there.
ALEX CULLEN: Thanks, Lieutenant.
JOHN FREWEN: Thanks, guys.
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