MONIQUE WRIGHT: Starting today, children aged 5 to 11 are eligible to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine. This is the next critical phase of the deployment, with children under 12 making up about one-fifth of all COVID cases. Children will receive two injections of a new, lower dose Pfizer vaccine with a recommended interval of eight weeks in between. But there are fears that the first stage of the rollout may be completed before the end of the school holidays, with parents struggling to find reservations and GPs warning of a lack of supplies. And now we join the man behind the deployment, Lt. Gen. John Frewen. Hello to you. Thank you very much for being with us.

JOHN FREWEN: Hi.

MONIQUE WRIGHT: So we know that it is crucial not only for these 2.3 million children, but also for the protection of the whole community to have these children immunized. What challenges do you think exactly – you know, are you predicting?

JOHN FREWEN: Yeah, listen, Mon, this is a – this is a really important day for the deployment. We were eagerly waiting for children aged 5 to 11 to be able to get vaccinated. There are now over 10,000 places across the country administering vaccines. From now on, the majority of them will also participate in the deployment for children. Supply is not the problem; we have enough vaccines. The real challenge now is simply to bring distribution to where the demand is greatest. So we’re just telling people – I know a lot of people already have their reservations in place, but if you’re having issues right now, maybe with your regular health care provider, your GP, then please. please try pharmacies, maybe try one of the state and territory clinics as they come online. There are a lot of opportunities, there are a lot of vaccines, so if people need a little patience, I encourage them.

MONIQUE WRIGHT: Look, my three kids are in that age range. Like so many others, I was only able to get an appointment a few days before they started school, so the first vaccine won’t even really be on board and still benefit them. Do you have any advice for parents who are having difficulty securing these dates? And I trawled everywhere.

JOHN FREWEN: Yeah. No listen, if you have a date in place that’s great, but there are new dates online every day. There will also be walking opportunities. So again, I would keep trying. Try out your local pharmacies, keep an eye out for state and territory clinics opening up, and everything will move in the system and there will be people passing some places faster than others. We will work with all vendors to ensure we get supplies to where they are needed most. But again, a little patience. I know people are very keen to put their children before school. The vaccines are there, it’s just a matter of us now marrying the vaccines with where the people are.

MONIQUE WRIGHT: Okay. Lieutenant-General John Frewen, it’s always a pleasure to talk to you. Thank you very much.

JOHN FREWEN: Thanks, Mon.

MONIQUE WRIGHT: Good luck, it’s going to be loaded.

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