❓ Hon Wilson Tucker questions the Premier's confidence in achieving a 90% vaccination rate, given current hesitancy levels, and asks about alternative plans if the target isn't met. The Premier's response focuses on following expert advice and criticizes the Commonwealth for unequal vaccine distribution.
AnsweredQoN 636Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — VACCINATIONS — HESITANCY
636. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
recent comments in the media, in which he was quoted as saying —
''When
we get to above 80 per cent—somewhere between 80 per cent and 90 per
cent—we would set a date and
we'd say 'in six weeks or two months time the border will come
down, go get yourself vaccinated now'.
I
note that, according to the Melbourne Institute, vaccine hesitancy among the
adult population of Western Australia remains at 22.5 per cent.
(1) Is the
Premier confident that the overall vaccine hesitancy rate will fall to as low
as 10 per cent, permitting a vaccination rate of 90 per cent?
(2) Is the
Premier concerned that shifting the goalposts for a return to normal life will
only further contribute to vaccine hesitancy?
(3) What is the alternative plan if
a 90 per cent vaccination rate cannot be achieved?
636. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
recent comments in the media, in which he was quoted as saying —
''When
we get to above 80 per cent—somewhere between 80 per cent and 90 per
cent—we would set a date and
we'd say 'in six weeks or two months time the border will come
down, go get yourself vaccinated now'.
I
note that, according to the Melbourne Institute, vaccine hesitancy among the
adult population of Western Australia remains at 22.5 per cent.
(1) Is the
Premier confident that the overall vaccine hesitancy rate will fall to as low
as 10 per cent, permitting a vaccination rate of 90 per cent?
(2) Is the
Premier concerned that shifting the goalposts for a return to normal life will
only further contribute to vaccine hesitancy?
(3) What is the alternative plan if
a 90 per cent vaccination rate cannot be achieved?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) Western
Australia will continue to follow the expert health advice that has protected Western
Australians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Western Australia is
successfully suppressing the COVID-19 virus, the vaccination program is
essential for protection against outbreaks and the safe reopening of interstate
borders.
Western Australia has received less
vaccination supply per capita than other states such as New South Wales, which has received up to one million Pfizer
doses above its per capita share. The Western Australian government
urges the commonwealth to provide Western Australia its fair share of vaccine
supplies, particularly Pfizer, to allow Western Australia the ability to
vaccinate its population. It is incumbent on the commonwealth government to now
make sure that it provides that boost back to states like Western Australia,
South Australia and Queensland.
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) Western
Australia will continue to follow the expert health advice that has protected Western
Australians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Western Australia is
successfully suppressing the COVID-19 virus, the vaccination program is
essential for protection against outbreaks and the safe reopening of interstate
borders.
Western Australia has received less
vaccination supply per capita than other states such as New South Wales, which has received up to one million Pfizer
doses above its per capita share. The Western Australian government
urges the commonwealth to provide Western Australia its fair share of vaccine
supplies, particularly Pfizer, to allow Western Australia the ability to
vaccinate its population. It is incumbent on the commonwealth government to now
make sure that it provides that boost back to states like Western Australia,
South Australia and Queensland.
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