• Margie Danchin, Ruby Biezen, Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis, Jessica Kaufman, and Julie Leask.
• MBBS, PhD, FRACP, Associate Professor and David Bickart Clinician Scientist Fellow, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Vic; Group Leader, Vaccine Uptake Group, Murdoch Children@s Research Institute, Vic; Paediatrician, Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children@s Hospital, Vic.
• Aust J Gen Pract. 2020 Oct 1; 49 (10): 625-629.

BackgroundThe availability of a COVID-19 vaccine is being heralded as the solution to control the current COVID-19 pandemic, reduce the number of infections and deaths and facilitate resumption of our previous way of life.ObjectiveThe aim of this article is to provide a framework for primary care of what will be needed to optimise COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake in Australia once the vaccine prioritisation schedule and key target groups are known.DiscussionWhile a number of vaccines are currently under development, with at least seven undergoing phase III trials (28 August 2020), it is hoped that an effective COVID-19 vaccine will become available to the public in 2021. Ensuring public confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness will be crucial to facilitate uptake. General practitioners are at the forefront of public health, and one of the most trusted sources for patients. In this article, the authors discuss the expedited vaccine development process for COVID-19 vaccines; the likely vaccine prioritisation schedule and anticipated key target groups; the behavioural and social drivers of vaccination acceptance, including the work required to facilitate this; and the implications for general practice.

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