States ordered to stop hoarding COVID-19 vaccine doses

But Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, said no states or territories needed to hold vaccine supplies for second doses as the Commonwealth had made it clear from the beginning how many doses were coming to Australia, and how much was being distributed.

While there had been uncertainty around international shipments, particularly earlier AstraZeneca supplies, he said it was always the plan that the Commonwealth would hold back enough for second doses.

“For every person that has had a first dose of Pfizer, there is a second dose waiting in the contingency of the Commonwealth level, so there is no uncertainty about that,” he said. “There is no need for a state or territory to be keeping any vaccine aside for that…