Coinciding with the commencement of Australia’s vaccine roll-out on 21 February 2021, the Academy released a statement that welcomed this important step, and highlighted the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s robust review process for vaccine efficacy and safety. The statement also called for Australia to play a role in timely and affordable access to the vaccine for our Indo-Pacific neighbours.

The statement reinforced the messaging of the Academy’s December 2020 report, ‘Maintaining strong foundations and building resilience: planning Australia’s path through the COVID-19 pandemic‘. It called for continued high levels of testing and contact tracing, isolation and quarantine as needed, physical distancing, hand hygiene, the judicious use of face masks, and effective controls at international borders.

Once the vaccination roll-out is complete, in Australia and internationally, the world will be a significant step closer to reviving major cultural activities, such as mass gatherings and international travel.

The Academy’s full statement, and associated media release can be downloaded below. You can also read more about the statement on our news page, and about our ongoing response to the pandemic in our COVID-19 Information Hub.

AAHMS statement in full: Vaccination roll-out a crucial step in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic

Media release: Vaccination roll-out a crucial step in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic