More than 77 per cent of eligible Australians have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to the latest statistics – more than the US, EU or the UK.
Australia has had one of the most successful initial vaccination roll-outs – though its booster campaign currently lags behind those in the UK and the US.
The country’s high level of take-up is partly because it has strict rules on vaccinations – the Northern Territory requires all service workers to be vaccinated in order to work, and Western Australia has also mandated vaccination for certain groups of workers. It also has strict rules on entry to the country – all foreigners must be fully vaccinated unless they have a medical exemption.
The figures come in the context of tennis star Novak Djokovic’s court battle win, which allowed him to remain in the country despite not being vaccinated against Covid-19. The world number one – who flew in to compete in the Australian Open – was dramatically denied entry at Melbourne Airport last week. Djokovic had recently tested positive for Covid-19, which his lawyers argued granted him a medical exemption.
However, the Australian immigration minister can still use his personal power to cancel Djokovic’s visa despite the court ruling that cancellation was unreasonable.
[See also: Novak Djokovic and why the world is turning on anti-vaxxers]
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