COVID-19 Vaccine: Australia Rules Out Mandatory Immunizations

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has backtracked, suggesting that vaccination against coronavirus may become mandatory.

Announcing a deal that will provide free doses to the whole people of Australia, Mr Morrison stated that there should only be medical exemptions, reports BBC.

But after concerns raised by health experts, he clarified: "There are no compulsory vaccines in Australia."

In the meantime, tourists to Australia will still be expected to get immunization.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said he "should not rule out" making it mandatory for those going to Australia-including the Australians returning to the country-if it was the recommendation of medical experts.

"It would seem passing strange if we had a massive vaccination programme in Australia but we were then to allow people in who could bring it in," he told A Current Affair.

Australia's first vaccine deal

The Australian Government has announced that it has signed a letter of intent with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Oxford University, which is one of five coronavirus vaccine manufacturers to have reached the advanced stage of clinical trials.

Mr Morrison said if the trials were successful, he hoped the vaccine would be available early next year. "We will manufacture and supply vaccines straight away under our own steam and make it free for 25 million Australians," he said.