‘Get ready’: NSW on track to hit vaccination targets amid extended wait between doses

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has told residents and businesses to “get ready”, reiterating the state is on track to ease restrictions mid-October despite extended timeframes between first and second doses. Sixty-seven per cent of the state’s eligible population have now received at least one jab of the COVID-19 vaccine as NSW closes in on the seven million total doses administered since the commencement of the vaccination program. Ms Berejiklian denied the eight-week wait for second doses would affect the state’s march towards 70 per cent vaccination. “The timing between the doses is based on what is going to give the maximum number of people maximum coverage in the shortest possible of time,” she said. “We are still estimating that we will hit 70 per cent double dose somewhere in October. Previously, it was the end of October. “If we keep the current rates of vaccination going, we could hit that in mid-October.” “So my message very strongly during September will be to everybody – get ready. “If you're a business, make sure your employees are vaccinated, if you're a citizen, make sure yourself and your family and loved ones are vaccinated, and your friend because that is our ticket to freedom.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au