The 40,000 Pfizer vaccines set to be diverted to Sydney last week have been returned to regional NSW after a deal to bring forward extra supplies from the federal government.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian that 183,690 Pfizer doses will be made available imminently to the state.
According to the Prime Minister, 'tens of thousands' of additional doses will begin to roll into NSW within a week.
"The vast majority of the NSW doses will go straight to south west Sydney," Mr Morrison said.
"Those in the regions will also have their redirected doses replaced."
NSW Legislative Council member Wes Fang said the state government had been working hard behind the scenes to secure the additional doses.
"Pfizer is a finite resource and unfortunately we had to make tough decisions as to where doses in the state were allocated based on a needs basis which in this case was year 12 students in COVID hotspot areas of Greater Sydney," Mr Fang said.
"We have been making continual representations to the Federal Government to secure these doses who similar to the state of NSW, had to make tough decisions in relation to vaccine allocation."
According to Mr Fang, the agreement showed the importance of 'having a good working relationship' with all levels of government.
"We are happy with how these negotiations have progressed, having this relationship is much more important than attempting to incite hatred and fear for personal political gain and achieving nothing."
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Member for Murray Helen Dalton has been one of NSW's most critical MPs in relation to last weeks decision, and alongside her colleague Mark Banasiak, called for regional community members to sign an online petition demanding the government reverse the decision to divert Pfizer doses from the country.
She said whilst it was positive news that Ms Berejiklian was able to restore regional vaccine supplies, the damage had already been done to many regional residents.
"It would have been easier if the Premier sourced the vaccines from the Prime Minister in the first place, rather than the NSW Government cancelling appointments for thousands of regional residents," Mrs Dalton said.
"Many people took leave from work to make their appointments and are struggling to make a new booking.
"These people need an explanation and apology."
To check your vaccine eligibility or book an appointment please visit the Australian Government vaccine eligibility checker.
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