Vaccine deals with two pharmaceutical companies

If either of the two candidates prove successful, vaccines could be available for free as early as next year - but it won't be made mandatory.

Scientists are seen at work inside of the CSL Biotech facility in Melbourne Source: AAP

On Monday, the federal government has signed off on a 1.7-billion-dollar agreement with pharmaceutical companies to secure two vaccines – if the trials prove successful.

The two deals secure almost 85-million doses - 33.8 million for the Oxford University / AstraZeneca vaccine and 51 million doses of the University of Queensland / CSL vaccine.

The Health Minister Greg Hunt says the free vaccinations would require two doses ... but it's full efficacy is not yet determined.

Listen to SBS Indonesian every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3 pm.

Follow us on Facebook and catch us on podcasts.