Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

To add to that, the advice received from the department shortly before question time was 1,957 facilities, or 76 per cent of national facilities, have had a second dose. And we have at all times drawn the distinction and pointed to the fact we have a two-dose regime. Our immediate task—immediate task—was to set out and ensure that we were on a path to make every facility in Australia had that option of a first dose at the earliest possible time. Now we are at that point where 100 per cent of facilities in four states and territories, Victoria, the Northern Territory, the ACT and Tasmania, have received that, with the remaining four states and territories to have that one per cent gap closed in coming days. An expected 15 of the 20—possibly as high as 17, but at this stage 15 of those 20—are scheduled for the next two days. So, it is a very important thing, as the chief medical officer and the deputy chief medical officer and the former chief medical officer have emphasised, to have the first dose in place.

There's been some discussion—and, indeed, I heard Professor Kelly make some very clear remarks on this front last week—that the first dose is absolutely critical, that it provides the balance of protection.

Opposition members interjecting—

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