NSW has been absolutely smashing it with our vaccination rates, with the state expecting to reach its goal of six million jabs tomorrow. Which is just amazing work everyone, honestly. Of course, part of the reason people have been flocking to get their jab is because of the freedoms promised once we do.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW’s vaccination rate is actually among the highest in the world, with the state about to reach our target a week early. She said reaching six million jabs would mean some restrictions will be eased for fully vaccinated people, but that the specifics won’t be announced until later this week because we were so damn quick to get them. I love that for us!
“We will be able to communicate what additional freedom people may have once they get to full vaccination and during September, and we will outline our plan for schools,” she said in a press conference on Monday.
“Both are a work in progress and we are consulting with the chief psychiatrist as well as the public health team to get the right balance.”
Now, don’t get too excited – this doesn’t mean all restrictions as a whole will be over. The last three days have still recorded a record breaking 800+ cases each, and Sydney’s lockdown was extended to end of September, with LGAs of concern now under harsher restrictions including a 9pm curfew.
However, earlier this month Berejiklian said: “With 6 million jabs by the end of August, if achieved, there will be opportunities for us in parts of the communities where cases are low and vaccination rates are high for them to do more than they do today.”
So what that means is we will likely see some restrictions eased for vaccinated people, but probably only in areas where there aren’t a lot of COVID cases.
Since there’s already a plan being put forward to open up bars, restaurants and gyms for vaccinated people and expand singles bubbles once 70% of the population is vaccinated (so like, October/November), we still have a lot to look forward to.
All adult Aussies (yep, even if those of us under 40) are currently able to get the safe and effective AstraZeneca vaccine through a GP. Click here to see which clinics are offering it, and talk to a doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Alternatively, you can triple-check to see if you’re eligible for the Pfizer vaccine here.
The best vaccine is the first one you can get, and that’ll be our ticket out of this mess.
