Editorial: Australia's vaccine rollout is a race, like it or not

One can't help but wonder if the only reason the government continues to trot out "it's not a race" when it comes to vaccinating against COVID-19 is if because if it was, Australia would be losing.

Of course it's a race. The whole world is racing.

And instead of leading like the power we are meant to be, we're still pulling on the socks and searching for our runners.

Imagine, just for a second, that the boot was on the other foot.

Vaccines rolling out smoothly across the country, doctors receiving plenty of stock, less hesitancy from the public and greater confidence in the program - and, just as importantly, those running it.

What are the odds the government would then be declaring that not only is it a race, but that Australia is in it to win it?

In other news

Michael McCormack, while acting Prime Minister, sticking to Scott Morrison's line on national television yesterday seems somewhat contradictory to the community effort to get people booking in for vaccination.

While Mr McCormack did urge people to get the first jab and follow it up with the second when they're able and eligible, maintaining "it's not a race" waters down the message somewhat.

As it stands, with around 4.1 million Australians vaccinated so far, medical experts fear the nation's success in controlling coronavirus could be put at risk if the vaccines aren't rolled out quickly enough.

The Riverina's medical professionals disagree with Mr McCormack and Mr Morrison. Not only is vaccination a race, it's so much more.

They say this is a war, and a vaccine is our most important weapon.

Only 11 days ago, Wagga's mayor issued an urgent call for those in the community who are eligible for the vaccine to get the jab.

Greg Conkey's concern stemmed from the alarming revelations that the city's mass vaccine hub was only administering 40 shots a day, despite having the capacity for up to 140.

Talk about being on a completely different page.

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