Australian politicians could be among first to get COVID jab but PM says local vaccine not affected by UK

Scott Morrison and other politicians could be among the first to get the COVID-19 vaccination to demonstrate its safety to the wider public. It comes as Therapeutic Goods Administration chief John Skerritt said a vaccine rollout could start in Australia as early as January if the final data from drug companies is handed over soon enough. The Government has said once a COVID vaccine is approved by the TGA, aged care workers and those with an increased risk of being infected with COVID-19 will be the first to get it. Asked at a press conference in Canberra today where politicians will rank in the roll out, Health Minister Greg Hunt said he had discussed the idea of some politicians getting the vaccine early with shadow health minister Chris Bowen. “I had this discussion with Chris Bowen on the basis that none of us want to be jumping the queue but nor do we want to show any lack of confidence,” Mr Hunt said. “The honest discussion I have had with Chris Bowen is that they may be some from both sides — but not as a class, there is no medical exemption — but maybe some of us who on both sides, and indeed all sides, of the chamber are put forward on a voluntary basis as demonstration. “I would be very happy to take any vaccine that the medical regulators deemed safe for Australia.” The PM said he would follow the medical advice and like Mr Hunt would be happy to be vaccinated. “My view is the same and we will follow the medical advice on that issue like all other Australians,” Mr Morrison said. “I am happy to take the jab.” The UK are preparing to rollout the vaccine next week after it was given an emergency authorisation. Mr Morrison said Australia would not be following the UK and would continue with its timeline to authorise the vaccine early next year when sufficient data has been provided to the TGA. “The UK will need to deal with their situation and their circumstances in their way. Of course they should, and it has been a consistent theme around the world that each nation has had its own set of unique challenges,” Mr Morrison said. He said even once the vaccine was rolled out in Australia he expected international borders would still remain closed for some time.