THREAD: With over 350,000 cases of COVID-19 reported daily in India, it's clear that the pandemic is far from over globally. The true *daily* figure is probably over two million. I'm very glad that there is now urgent consideration of critical support to the Government of India.

This is also a stark reminder that we will need high vaccination coverage to truly protect the Australian population. With all over-50s becoming eligible to receive - as I have - the AstraZeneca vaccine, I really hope we see increasing uptake from here on in.

From over 10,000 cases per day, this is what vaccination help achieve for Israel. This has included the first days without a death recorded for over a year. Israel has done it with Pfizer, but the UK and US are coming down from even higher numbers with a strong vaccine roll-out.

Here's the UK's trajectory, mostly achieved with AstraZeneca.

I understand people have concerns about the potential side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine. And, although these are very rare, they're still serious. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-24/flight-to-europe-risk-versus-astrazeneca-vaccine-clotting-risk/100090546

I just want to emphasise that while Australia has the great fortune of being effectively free of COVID-19, the pandemic rages on globally. This presents a serious and ongoing risk to Australia and vaccination is our best protection against it.

So while we strengthen Hotel Quarantine, recognising that #COVIDisAirborne and protect our frontline and quarantine workers, we have to continue to push for everyone eligible to step forward to get vaccinated. I have. My (eligible) family have. I hope you can too.

For vaccination bookings, please go to: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment