The Australians who won’t get the vaccine in 2021
New plans, revealed exclusively by The Herald Sun show Australia's plan for rolling out the COVID-19 vaccination.
The population of Australia is expected to be divided into 12 5-year age brackets for the new vaccine, with those aged over 70 being the first to get the jab.
The elderly will get the vaccine after 800,000 frontline workers, aged care workers and the nation's most vulnerable citizens get the vaccination first.
The strategy is similar to the one rolling out in the United Kingdom and means that young people will have to wait until the end of the year for their shot.
People will also have to queue 20 at a time to get the vaccination as it's supplied in multi-dose vials instead of single-dose vials.
Children under the age of 18 are unlikely to be vaccinated at all during 2021 as pharmaceutical companies aren't seeking approval for use in younger people.
Prisoners and other detentions, as well as those who guard them, will be among the first to get the vaccine as they are at greater risk due to living in crowded conditions.
The Australian government is expecting to have both the Pfizer and the AstraZaneca vaccine available in time for the March rollout of the vaccine program.
Experts are currently reviewing data to determine which vaccine is more suitable for the elderly as well as those with health conditions.
The government is also currently deciding whether or not to lift quarantine requirements on overseas travellers who can produce a vaccination certificate, as it's looking likely to be essential for overseas travel.