- The Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women and Acting Defence Minister, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, has become the second member of the Government to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as part of a national programme that will offer jabs to all Australians by October.
Minister Payne said she was pleased to be able to demonstrate her belief in the scientific expertise that is producing safe and effective vaccines, which will be critical to the global recovery from the pandemic.
"It was a privilege to be the second of three Coalition representatives to be vaccinated as part of our confidence-building measures in the vaccination programme," Minister Payne said.
"It was also a privilege to join Peta Murphy MP in showing the confidence of women leaders and representatives in the vaccination process this week.
"The timing of the vaccination will also help facilitate possible international travel in the near future so we can continue to prosecute vital national interests with our international partners."
Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt MP, who will become the third member of the Government to receive a jab, said a small number of cross-parliamentary leaders from the Government, Opposition and Greens had now been vaccinated to help with public confidence in the program.
"We thank the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Leader of the Greens, Minister Payne and the Member for Dunkley, Peta Murphy, for their help in putting their shoulders to the cause," Minister Hunt said.
The COVID-19 vaccination program began across Australia on Monday, with about 60,000 Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses being administered initially to priority populations. Groups including quarantine and border workers, and aged care residents will be vaccinated by April 2021.
All Australians will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of October 2021.
Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer and personnel from the Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force have also been vaccinated this week.
