Morrison walks back comments on potential Covid vaccine, saying 'it is not going to be compulsory'

Health experts say prime minister discussing coercive measures early risked driving hesitant Australians away

The health minister Greg Hunt says the federal government will not force vaccinations on any Australian" and Scott Morrison has clarified they would not be compulsory after experts expressed concern that earlier talk of mandatory" vaccination might drive hesitant Australians away.

The prime minister announced on Tuesday night that a letter of intent had been signed with the British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca to supply Australians with the University of Oxford Covid-19 vaccine if it clears clinical trials.