AstraZeneca vaccine rollout expands to Queensland, with frontline workers to receive jab

Queensland will become the latest state to administer the AstraZeneca vaccination today.

Hubs at Logan Hospital and Bundaberg are preparing to administer the jab to frontline workers and priority groups this morning.

An additional 4000 GPs will be ready to help the vaccination effort in the next couple of weeks.

READ MORE: Julia Gillard joins Greg Hunt for AstraZeneca vaccine official launch

Western Australia yesterday began its rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine with frontline workers the first to receive the jab.

More than 20,000 doses of the COVID-19 shot arrived in Perth last week week in what doctors described as a life-changing moment in the fight against the pandemic.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt officially launched the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia yesterday, signalling the beginning of large-scale vaccinations of the Australian population.

Mr Hunt received the shot in front of press cameras in Melbourne, alongside former prime minister Julia Gillard, who made a surprise appearance to issue a plea to young women not to snub the jab.

She noted that while she and Mr Hunt were from "different sides of politics", they wanted to represent "a united front" in support of COVID-19 vaccination.

Health department research demonstrated that Australian women aged 25 to 45 are the most vaccine-hesitant group - data that has been replicated globally.

"No matter what side of politics you barrack for … there is a united message, and that united message is: please get vaccinated," Ms Gillard said.

"I can understand that people might feel a little bit anxious."

In launching the vaccine, Mr Hunt said getting the shot was about "the gift of being able to protect somebody else's life… particularly our elderly".

He noted that Saturday marked the 36^th day so far this year that Australia had recorded no new coronavirus cases.

"At the same time, 10,000 lives were lost in one day alone yesterday (globally) - and that's why these vaccinations are so important," Mr Hunt said.

There are now 270 nursing homes that have completed their vaccination programs, encompassing 23,000 residents.

In total, 81,000 people have now been vaccinated in Australia.

"With the commencement of the AstraZeneca vaccine, those numbers will grow significantly," Mr Hunt said.

Once the rollout begins at GP clinics in two weeks' time, it's expected there will soon be 500,000 vaccinations taking place each week.