Working together to keep us COVID-safe

Announcement - Department of Health

COVID-19 has touched every corner of the world. So far, there have been more than 72 million cases across the world. More than 28,000 of these have been in Australia.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities haven’t escaped the pandemic, but we’ve done a great job in ensuring the infection rates have been low. So far, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 cases account for less than one per cent of all confirmed cases in Australia.

It’s been tough, but our hard work protecting each other and stopping the spread of COVID-19 means that Australia is doing better than most countries.

Our medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, is closely checking vaccine data. They will make sure any vaccine meets their strict safety and quality standards before it can be used in Australia.

Australia is on track to have a vaccine approved and begin a vaccination program in March 2021. When this happens, those who are most in need of protection will get it first. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have advised that these are:

• people who are most likely to get very sick or die from the virus
• people risking increased exposure to the virus, and
• people working in critical services.

ATAGI may update this based on the best medical advice.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are among the group identified as more likely to get very sick from the virus. That’s why it is important that people choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine when one is available. Getting vaccinated can help protect ourselves, our loved ones, and community from COVID-19.

The vaccine will be free for all Australians.

Get trusted information about COVID-19 vaccines on the Department of Health website.

You can also subscribe to the COVID-19 Vaccines Update to get the latest information on the Government’s work to deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for Australia.