'It's the best news I've woken up to': Melbourne doctor on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus thanks Scott Morrison for buying millions of vaccines - but warns many more people will die first
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that all Australians will get a free vaccine
- Health boss Doctor Mark Putland said it was great news, but many could die first
- 'You can't really go counting your chickens with this sort of things,' he said
- If the vaccine is successful, millions would be made and distributed nationwide
A doctor on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis in Melbourne says many more people will die before a vaccine is found.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Wednesday that all Australians will get a free dose of an Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is deemed effective and safe.
Director of Emergency at Royal Melbourne Hospital Mark Putland said it was the 'best news I've woken up to in a while', but warned the worst could be yet to come.
Director of Emergency at Royal Melbourne Hospital Mark Putland (pictured) said it was the 'best news I've woken up to in a while', but warned the worst could be yet to come
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'You can't really go counting your chickens with this sort of things,' he told Today.
'Vaccines have to be tried, tested, very few of them make it through to be something useful ... I think the death rate will sty high for a little while yet.'
The number of new cases dropped in Victoria from 279 on Tuesday to 216 on Wednesday, but the death toll remains high with 17 fatalities recorded overnight.
The new daily total is the lowest since July 13, raising hopes the state's strict lockdown is working to slow the spread.
Doctor Putland added that the Oxford University vaccine has progressed through the testing process quickly was a promising step, and called for elderly people and healthcare workers to get the jab first.
'It seems selfish. I think there is sense in vaccinating healthcare workers and frontline responders, mainly because it is hard for us to isolate away from the disease,' he said.
A volunteer is pictured taking part in an Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine trial. The Australian government has signed a contract to receive at least 25 million doses of the vaccine candidate if it is approved
The approval process for the vaccine candidate is expected to be concluded late this year or early next year.
As part of its multi-billion-dollar COVID-19 treatment and vaccine strategy, the government has also announced a contract with US company Becton Dickinson to supply 100 million needles and syringes at a cost of $24.7million.
An expert panel would rule which Australians should receive the first doses of the potential vaccine, with those suffering from two or more conditions moved to the front of the queue.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia would manufacture the vaccine if proved successful 'under our own steam'
Cancer patients and those with co-morbidities such as asthma and heart disease would likely be prioritised, as would Australians over the age of 60, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Earlier trials of the Oxford University vaccine found it generated a strong immune response and a four-fold increase in antibodies against coronavirus in 95 per cent of participants.
A 'Letter of Intent' has been signed with AstraZeneca which would mean the firm agrees to hand over the vaccine once it is approved.
Coming soon: A scientist works on the potential vaccine at the Jenner Institute in Oxford
Australia would then make millions of doses on home soil and distribute them across the country.
The government would later sign a final formal agreement with the company, which would include details about the distribution, timing and price of the vaccine.
Scott Morrison said: 'The Oxford vaccine is one of the most advanced and promising in world, and under this deal we have secured early access for every Australian.
'If this vaccine proves successful we will manufacture and supply vaccines straight away under our own steam and make it free for 25 million Australians.'
The state's death toll now stands at 351, with 7,274 cases active.
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