COVID-19 vaccination in Australia
The general COVID-19 vaccination in Australia program began on 22 February 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of vaccinating all willing people in Australia before 2022. Front-line workers[a] and aged care staff and residents had priority for being inoculated, before a gradual phased release to less-vulnerable and lower-risk population groups throughout 2021. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved four vaccines for Australian use in 2021: the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine on 25 January, the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine on 16 February, Janssen vaccine on 25 June and the Moderna vaccine on 9 August.[4][5][6][7] Although approved for use, the Janssen vaccine was not included in the Australian vaccination program as of June 2021.[8]
Date
22 February 2021 – 13 April 2023
Immunisation of Australians against COVID-19
A$1.87 billion[2]
- 21,206,612 people aged 12+ have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine[3]
- 20,806,810 people aged 12+ have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine
- 14,097,289 people aged 12+ have been booster given with three doses of vaccine
97% of the eligible Australian population aged 12+ have received one dose
95.2% of the eligible Australian population aged 12+ are fully vaccinated
64.5% of the eligible Australian population aged 12+ are booster given
As of 3 August 2022, Australia had administered 62,492,656 vaccine doses across the country.[3][9][10] The country's vaccination rollout initially faced criticism for its slow pace and late start, falling far below initial government targets.[11][12] Despite this, Australia began vaccinating its citizens at a comparatively fast pace, overtaking the United States in first dose coverage by 10 October 2021.[13] Over 95% of the Australian population aged 12 and over are now fully vaccinated.[14][15]