Pfizer vaccines available across NSW as state hits one million doses

People aged in their 40s can now get their Pfizer vaccines at 25 new vaccination clinics across NSW,as Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces the state will administer its one-millionth dose today.

The million-dose-milestone means NSW has administered one-tenth of the doses needed to fully vaccinate 5 million people - the target Ms Berejiklian said would allow her to start having conversations about reopening international borders.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian,NSW Health Deputy Secretary Susan Pearce and NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty provide an update on the vaccine rollout.

The Premier said Australia could not afford to remain shut off from the rest of the world forever and NSW needed “to be as prepared as possible” to avoid the resurgence of COVID-19 and the lockdowns afflicting several countries – including Taiwan,Singapore,and South Korea – that,like Australia,appeared to have eliminated community spread.

On Thursday,Ms Berejiklian announced 25 clinics across Greater Sydney,rural and regional NSW were now administering the Pfizer vaccine to people aged 40 to 49.

Another six Pfizer clinics will open in June.

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“We’re really keen to make sure we vaccinate our population as quickly as possible,as safely as possible and in an efficient way as possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.

More than 120,000 people in their 40s had registered their interest to receive the Pfizer shot. Ms Berejiklian said roughly 23,500 people had already been invited to book their vaccination appointments and 12,000 people had already booked.

Pfizer clinics due to open over June

1. Armidale Hospital

2. Broken Hill Hospital

3. Manning Hospital (Taree)

4. Moree Hospital

5. Muswellbrook Hospital

6. Royal North Shore Hospital

Prime Minister Scott Morrison receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on February 21,the first day of the program.

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At last count,NSW had administered 998,049 vaccinations,including 314,613 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm yesterday and 683,436 administered by Commonwealth providers including GPs to 11.59pm on Tuesday,May 18.

No new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the past 24 hours. Two cases were confirmed in returned travellers.

NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty said “complacency is a real concern for us” as he urged people to continue to get tested for COVID-19 even with mild symptoms.

Ms Berejiklian said the state “will need to live with QR codes indefinitely” as the pandemic rolled on.