Australia reaches magnificent COVID-19 vaccination milestone but some states lag behind

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But the country's COVID-19 vaccine program has finally reached a crucial milestone.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the news on Saturday morning, calling it "another magnificent milestone" and a "massive national effort". 

Great news Australia! We did it! 80% of all Australians aged 16+ are now fully vaccinated. But let’s keep going.

A huge thank you to everyone. This has been a massive national effort.

Get your #COVID19 jab and help Australia to continue to safely reopen and stay safely open. pic.twitter.com/Kg6ndnm21B

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Mr Morrison praised older Australians for leading the way.

"Eighty per cent of Australians aged over 16 have now been fully vaccinated that four out of every five. How good is that? It's been a true, Australian national effort," he said. 

"Ninety-nine per cent of Australians aged over 70 have had a first jab and over 90 per cent have had a second. That's just extraordinary."

PM Scott Morrison says older Australians are leading the way on getting vaccinated. Source: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

New figures show the coverage is not so comprehensive at the other end of the age spectrum.

While states like Victoria and New South Wales are continuing to record strong vaccination rates among the young, in Queensland less than 50 per cent of 16 to 29 year-olds are double dosed.

"The key issue here is if Queenslanders want us to open up quicker both domestically and internationally, it's in their hands," Queensland's Health Minister Yvette D'Arth said. 

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath addresses the media during a press conference in Brisbane. Source: AAP

"Go out and get vaccinated now and we can open up sooner."

There are similarly low vaccine figures among the young in Western Australia.

And as the state announces it wants to achieve 90 per cent full vaccination before re-opening borders, it's prompted a call to arms from industry groups in the state to those delaying getting their COVID-19 shots.

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Chris Rodwell is chief executive officer with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia.

"If they are not getting that dose then they are putting WA businesses at a disadvantage. While the east coast and other states open up, WA businesses will find it harder harder to to business than their counterparts in other states. They're already facing really significant skill shortages, difficult supply chain impacts, other price impacts," he said. 

With the state not expected to hit that 90 per cent mark until February, travel industry figures, like Flight Centre chief executive Graham Turner, are considering legal action.

"If you look at Queensland and WA, reaching 90 per cent particularly of over 12s is not a given. There's a fair reluctance in some areas to be vaccinated ... so it may never get there to over 90 per cent," he said. 

"But if there is a definite date [given by the premier for reopening WA’s borders], that's fine."

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Mr Turner described the WA government's approach as "very conservative", and called for the science behind it to be made clear.  

"We would ask why is it okay for 80 per cent in New South Wales and Victoria, and Queensland, for that matter. But WA somehow wants 90 per cent?," he said. 

"So let's see what is the science behind that, there must be some reason why they’re having this very conservative measurement."

For health and support measures currently in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in your language, visit sbs.com.au/coronavirus

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