Its unfortunate for all the researchers involved that the UQ/CSL vaccine has been terminated. But it means our health authorities are doing their job, putting confidence and safety at the top of the agenda.

This news about the UQ/CSL vaccine being terminated means were essentially one deal less.

It was unlikely all four of our deals would come off.

Despite reasonable suggestions from myself and others that we should be closer to best practice which is six vaccines, the Minister would say nothing to see here.

They would crow that we have enough to vaccinate the Australian population three times over and were at the front of the queue, thats just not true.

If that was true, wed be starting our vaccine rollout when our approvals are likely to come through in January, not a couple of months later.

Other countries started securing their deals in March and we didnt get our first deal until September.

We were late to the party and we havent caught up.

Its up to the Government to ensure we have a wider portfolio of vaccines to reduce the impact of hurdles like this.