In relation to COVID-19, Australia is in a precarious position. The virus continues to escape from the hotel quarantine system, now putting half of the Australian population in lockdown. At the same time, we do not have enough vaccine supply to rapidly vaccinate Australia. It will be months not weeks for under 40’s to be able to receive the Pfizer vaccine. We hope to have enough vaccine for the entire population by Christmas.
Can we reach “herd immunity?”
“Herd immunity” to coronavirus is a level of immunity in a population that reduces the probability of the non-immune proportion of the community becoming infected. Experts now agree that Australia will reach “herd immunity” to coronavirus when vaccination coverage reaches around 70 to 80% of the adult population.
But is Australia going to get to the magic 80%? And when?
US vaccination rate slowing
In the USA, where vaccine is plentiful, daily vaccination rate has dropped from a maximum of 5 million to only 800,000 doses per day.
Will Australia require incentives?
It is likely that the current COVID-19 situation will unnerve many Australians who were previously undecided whether to be vaccinated. But will it be enough to reach 80%? Should we be looking at incentives?
The French Government’s recent decision to allow only the fully vaccinated to enter restaurants, bars, trains and other spaces has caused a spike in vaccinations.
Maybe Australia will need something similar?
