Sir, – Further to "Australia makes world-class mess of its vaccine rollout" (Pádraig Collins, World, July 26th), Australia was far from the epicentre of the crisis in March 2020 and is only beginning to experience what Ireland has endured due to the stronger Delta variant.
The majority of the Australian population has until now been able to live relatively normal lives, with no or limited use of masks, shorter lockdowns and not the full brunt of restrictions Ireland has faced for several months on end.
Yes, the vaccine rollout in Australia is slow but this is due to proximity and threat.
Vaccine access was in short supply at the start of the pandemic as other countries in need such as Italy were understandably prioritised.
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Australia has not acted selfishly either.
It still continues to help its Pacific neighbours and donates its vaccines to countries still worse off than itself, such as Indonesia and Vietnam.
With more access to vaccines now, Australia is now vaccinating at one million a week and will continue to do so until it gets the job done.
Initially, when vaccines were in short supply to the country, Australia made the most of what it could do, and in March 2020 implemented a quarantine system, almost overnight, to protect its citizens.
At least it didn’t take over 12 months like here in Ireland!
The phrase “gold standard” really is in reference to the quarantine facility in Darwin, Northern Territory, which I personally have just experienced for two weeks.
Sunshine, fresh air and fresh food to rival any Dublin restaurant. – Yours, etc,
ALLISON
O’CONNELL,
Dublin 4.