Covid-19: Australia launches its vaccination campaign in a favorable environment

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison received one of the first doses of Pfizer / BioNtech vaccine in the country at Castle Hill Medical Center in Sydney on February 21, 2021. AFP - STEVEN SAPHORE

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A dozen people received their first dose of the vaccine against the coronavirus this Sunday, February 21, while the official vaccination campaign begins Monday in the country.

Among the first served, Prime Minister Scott Morrison who wanted to set an example.

There are doubts among the population about the harmlessness of this vaccine, even if they are much weaker than in France, for example.

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With our special correspondent in Darwin,

Grégory Plesse

It is an octogenarian of Polish origin who became this Sunday the first Australian to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Unlike in Europe or the United States, the marketing authorization for vaccines in Australia was not issued in a hurry, the pandemic here being largely under control.

Among the first vaccinated, Prime Minister Scott Morrison wanted to set an example, and reassure part of the Australian population, who are wondering about this vaccine.

" 

This is a historic day for Australia,

" said the head of government.

And I am addressing my compatriots to tell you: it is safe, it is important and follow us on this path, which will see us come out of this Covid-19 pandemic

.

"

Minority anti-vaccines

This Saturday, thousands of people took part in anti-vaccine protests in major Australian cities.

Yet here, they are very much in the minority.

According to a government-commissioned poll, 64% of Australians intend to be vaccinated, while only 9% are against it.

The government, for its part, hopes that almost the entire population will be vaccinated by October.

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See also: Covid-19: Australia should not reopen its borders in 2021

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  • Australia

  • Scott morrison

  • Vaccines

  • Coronavirus

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