By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Australia has secured an extra 10 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, bringing the total number of doses of this vaccine to 20 million.

Image/Peggy_Marco

The additional doses will be available in the second half of 2021.

The vaccine rollout remains on track to begin in late February, with vaccines rolled out at thousands of sites across the nation throughout the year.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government is committed to providing safe and effective vaccines free to everyone in Australia.

“Securing the additional Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines is another positive step in protecting Australians from COVID-19,” the Prime Minister said.

“We now have access to over 150 million vaccine doses, ensuring we remain a world leader in the fight against the virus.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt said making safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available to everyone in Australia is a key priority for the Australia Government.

“I encourage people to get vaccinated when their turn comes – every vaccination helps us defeat the virus,” Minister Hunt said.

“Australians understand that vaccines work. They save lives and improve lives. They protect lives. We can be confident that every COVID-19 vaccine approved in this country will be safe and effective.”

“Australia is a vaccination nation—we have one the highest vaccination rates in the world.”