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  • No calendar target for vaccine rollout

    Author: AAP

There is no longer any timeframe for the rollout of Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program.

More than 1.1 million doses have been administered, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison has refused to set a target for the remainder.

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"The government has ... not set, nor has any plans to set any new targets for completing first doses," he said.

"While we would like to see these doses completed before the end of the year, it is not possible to set such targets given the many uncertainties involved."

The federal government initially set an October deadline to inoculate all people in Australia.

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Delays to vaccination imports posed a problem, and then the rollout was derailed last week when health authorities recommended AstraZeneca doses should only be given to Australians aged over 50, following concerns about blood clotting.

"We will just get on with the job of working together to produce, distribute and administer the vaccines as safely and efficiently as possible," Mr Morrison said.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said it was "beyond belief" that the Morrison government "seem to have no idea about vaccination timetables".

"This should have been their main focus given they have handed most responsibility to the states," he said on Twitter on Sunday night.

Australians are being urged to consult with their doctors regarding any concerns they have over AstraZeneca vaccinations.

"It is critical for Australia's future that public confidence in the vaccine program is maintained," Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid said.

He is urging Australians to discuss with their GP which vaccine they should have, noting most younger Australians would not be eligible for the vaccine until later this year anyway.

The government has secured a further 20 million Pfizer vaccines, which are due to be delivered in the final quarter of this year.

Even so, Dr Khorshid said the AstraZeneca vaccine remains very safe and effective, and access to the alternative, preferred Pfizer vaccine is likely to be delayed.

"Our advice for Australians with questions is to make an appointment with their GP for a full discussion about the possible risks and benefits of having the vaccine, or of not having it, taking into account their own specific circumstances," he said.

He also noted reports that there has been some talk about doctors being concerned about potential litigation from side-effects of any vaccines.

"Please be assured that all registered doctors are fully covered - your GP is more concerned with your health," he said.

Health Minister Greg Hunt also made the point that vaccine indemnity is already in place.

Mr Hunt insists GPs have "flocked" to participate in the program in the coming week, and have not been put off by the advice on AstraZeneca jab.

Mr Morrison said Australia's vaccine program is faring well on an international scale.

"The latest data shows that Australia's vaccination program is advancing consistent with comparable countries such as Germany, and ahead of Canada, Sweden, France, NZ, South Korea and Japan at the same stage of their rollouts," he said.

There were no new COVID-19 community transmission cases reported on Sunday.

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