The net result of the decisions taken … is that we will have strengthened our position in two vaccines and discontinued the process in relation to one vaccine, Mr Hunt said at the time.
Australia has also purchased 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 25 million doses of an as yet unknown drug from the global COVAX facility.
But Professor MacIntyre said Australia was relying too heavily on too few options, heightening the risk something could go wrong.
She said there were more than 48 vaccine candidates being developed globally, some by large pharmaceutical giants and many of which, while not as advanced in testing, would likely come up with good products.
I was concerned that after the UQ vaccine fell out of the race that instead of diversifying our portfolio we made a commitment to purchase more of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Professor MacIntyre said while the AstraZeneca dose was showing good results, early data suggested it may not be enough to reach herd immunity and was not as efficacious as other vaccines.
Ive heard a few people commenting that we have to live with COVID long term no we dont. Weve got fabulous vaccines that look really good.
We should be getting the highest efficacy vaccines and we dont know from the ones that are going to start coming out next year how they will look.
We should have a diverse portfolio based on what we know about the vaccine technology the track record of the companies making them.
We could diversify so that if another thing falls through, like UQ, we can rapidly pivot.
The efficacy of the AstraZeneca jab is between 62 and 70 per cent for symptomatic cases with two full doses; the company says this increases to about 90 per cent when given as a half dose followed by a full dose.
A fresh COVID-19 outbreak on Sydneys northern beaches has once again highlighted Australias vulnerability to the virus until a vaccine is deployed.
The outbreak has resulted in several of the federal polices top executives forced into self-isolation on Friday after attending meetings in the Sydney suburb of Manly between Sunday December 13 and Tuesday December 15.
Following confirmation of an active COVID-19 outbreak in Sydneys northern beaches, these members sought advice from the AFPs Chief Medical Officer, a police spokesman told The Australian Financial Review.
As a result of this advice, and directions from the NSW government, these members are currently self-isolating as a precaution. They have all been tested.
The AFPs national response to COVID-19, known as Operation PROTECT, has ensured the organisation is well prepared for this event and has activated its Business Continuity Plan.

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