Australia's bungled vaccine rollout poses a particular danger for people over the age of 60, one of the country's top health officials has claimed.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Monday her state could administer 'well over' 350,000 vaccines a day if the doses were available but was dealing with a shortage of the Pfizer option.
She also added there were certain 'priority groups' such as those in the aged care and disability sectors who she was concerned needed to be vaccinated as soon as possible but are the responsibility of the Commonwealth government.
NSW's top health official has said more than 350,000 people could be getting vaccinated for Covid each day in the state if there were no supply issues (pictured: residents at the Olympic Park vaccination hub wait in line)
'Ultimately, if we had more vaccine, we could do more,' Dr Chant told reporters, adding that she urged the public to consider the AstraZeneca option which is in plentiful supply.
Dr Chant also said the lack of Pfizer supply combined with hesitancy over AstraZeneca because of a very rare blood clot side effect, was contributing to older Australians - those most at risk to Covid - not being immunised.
'It is actually quite distressing, when I review the numbers, to see how few over 60-year-olds and over 70-year-olds we have managed to reach,' Dr Chant said.
'For me, anyone who is over 60 or over 70 should be going to their doctor as a matter of urgency - or their pharmacist, which will be opening up across the State in coming days, and get a dose of vaccine and please keep yourself safe.'
When asked if NSW was relying on younger residents getting the AstraZeneca jab in order to lift the state's strict lockdown as there is a shortage or Pfizer, Dr Chant hinted lockdown could be around for a while yet.
'I think we need to say that these lockdowns require patience.'
'Every day I look at the data on the number of hospitalisations ... the number of young people that are impacted ... and it actually is quite distressing.'
Dr Chant also urged young people to consider getting the jab to 'protect the community' (pictured: Chloe Cooper get a vaccine at one of Sydney's vaccine hubs)
'We have had the opportunity to get an AstraZeneca shot for a long time and I am urging the community to play their part, protect themselves, protect their loved ones.'
She added NSW health officials are working on a strategy of how the Pfizer doses can be used to be effect in the community.
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