COVID-19 vaccination will require two doses, govt says

Australia plans to purchase at least two vaccines offering 'multi-year' protection

The first COVID-19 vaccines the Australian Government has signed up to buy will each require two doses but are unlikely to be annual like the flu shot, says the Federal Minister for Health.

The government has announced a $1.7 billion deal for 84.8 million vaccine doses — 51 million doses of the University of Queensland’s vaccine candidate and 33.8 million doses of the University of Oxford’s candidate, of which 3.38 million will be imported.

Most of the vaccine for Australians will be made at CSL’s Broadmeadows plant in Melbourne, under agreements announced Monday, which include government funding for the company to retool its manufacturing facilities.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt started touting the pre-contract vaccine agreements last month but the formal announcement on Monday confirmed both vaccines would require two doses.