New Zealand and Australia received their first batches of Covid-19 vaccines made by Pfizer, their leaders said on Monday.
The New Zealand shipment includes 60,000 doses, which should be enough to monitor its “frontline workforce in the coming weeks,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Vaccines will continue to arrive in small increments.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office said the country had received more than 142,000 doses, 80,000 of which will be released on 22 February. Approximately 50,000 will go to the front quarantine states and territories and health workers, and 30,000 will go to the elderly, disabled care residents and health professionals.
“The vaccine has fallen and we are stepping up our fight against the pandemic,” he said.
Australia has also secured 53.8 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and 51 million doses of the Novavax vaccine, although these two have not been approved by regulators.
First border team in New Zealand: Ardern said officials hope to start offering vaccines to border officials and those working in quarantine or isolation from Saturday.
Throughout the week, the vaccine will be tested for quality assurance and, once the safety check is completed, doses will be released to start the first phase of the vaccination program.
“We hope to vaccinate all border workers within two to three weeks, followed by their home contacts,” said Ardern.
The general population will be vaccinated in the second half of the year due to supply restrictions.
Ardern said New Zealand bought enough vaccines to cover all residents free of charge, regardless of visa status.