
Australia tracking towards major jab milestone.
Australia is forecast to reach 80 per cent double-dose coronavirus vaccination coverage in mid-November when home tests are expected to be in use.
Vaccine rollout co-ordinator John Frewen has revealed the latest government projections for people aged 16 and over.
By the end of October, 70 per cent of that group should have received both doses with the 80 per cent target likely in mid-November.
Lieutenant General Frewen said reaching high levels of coverage would now depend on people coming forward but 90 per cent would be possible in late November or early December.
A breakdown of every state and territory in Australia. https://t.co/NlION5dAJM
— Mamamia (@Mamamia) September 28, 2021
Almost 77 per cent of over-16s have now received at least a single shot, while 52.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Rapid antigen tests are expected to be used in homes from November 1.
While no company has a kit ready for the Australian market, Therapeutic Goods Administration boss John Skerritt is confident hurdles will be cleared over the next month.
All tests granted approval for home use need to be effective for the Delta variant.
Instructions must be suitable for about a year-seven level of reading or people for whom English is a second language.
Home rapid antigen tests, which can return results in 20 minutes, have been used overseas for months. But Australian authorities have been cautious in expanding use beyond selected workplaces because of concerns around accuracy compared to nose and throat swabs.