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'Hardworking families can't keep their doors open': Karl Stefanovic unleashes on Josh Frydenberg over the little help NSW businesses are receiving during lockdown

Josh Frydenberg has defended his Covid-19 financial support packages after Karl Stefanovic told him family businesses were struggling to keep their doors open.

During this year's coronavirus outbreaks the Federal Government has refused to bring back the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme, instead paying up to $750 a week directly into the bank accounts of locked down Australians who lose work.

Mr Frydenberg has also agreed with go halves with states on business support measures which include a 40 per cent wage subsidy in NSW - but Today show hosts Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic said companies needed more help.  

A record store is picture closed due to lockdown in the central business district of Sydney

A record store is picture closed due to lockdown in the central business district of Sydney

'We have spoken to business across the country and they need wage support and they say it is not enough,' Langdon said in an interview with the Federal Treasurer on Tuesday morning. 

'You have some people who have applied for help and haven't received a cent yet.'

Mr Frydenberg pointed out the state government was responsible for business payments, saying: 'Services NSW is delivering the business payment and tens of millions of dollars has already been going out the door and more is still to come.' 

'As you know we have committed to paying businesses between $1,500 and $100,000 a week if their turnover is down by 30 per cent or more,' he said. 

'These are businesses up to $250million in annual turnover. So we are providing very substantial business support.' 

Mr Frydenberg said around $2billion of income support has already been handed out across the country since June and insisted the economy would bounce back quickly once lockdowns were over.

A usually busy Chapel Street looks quiet with restaurant seating left empty, streets mostly void of pedestrians and shops for lease during Melbourne's lockdown

A usually busy Chapel Street looks quiet with restaurant seating left empty, streets mostly void of pedestrians and shops for lease during Melbourne's lockdown

'I get that but there are businesses, literally, I know of five who are going to shut down in the next couple of weeks,' Stefanovic said.

'There are others across the state that there is no cash flow. They can't sustain themselves. We are talking about hardworking families here who no longer can keep the doors open to their business.'

Mr Frydenberg agreed, saying: 'These are very difficult times. And that is why that economic support is very substantial. 

'Services NSW is getting out that money and we have seen them already get money out the door. But more is to come.'

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the economy would bounce back quickly

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the economy would bounce back quickly

The Treasurer reminded Stefanovic that sole traders can also claim $1,000 a week if they lose 20 hours of work. 

'I agree with you Karl, this is really difficult for small businesses. That's why I am speaking to the banks ensuring that they provide the flexibility to the businesses and provide them with the relief they may need on payments on their loans. 

'That's why I have been speaking to the Tax Office to ensure the Tax Commissioner provides the flexibility for tax payers who are undergoing hardship. 

'It is a very Team Australia moment and recognise how difficult it for businesses. It is tough times.'

Millions of Australians are in lockdown in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne due to outbreaks of the Delta strain of Covid-19. 

It comes as Australia's beleaguered vaccine rollout gets a shot in the arm with the approval of the highly effective Moderna coronavirus jab.

One million doses will arrive next month after the American vaccine was given provisional approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration on Monday afternoon.

The vaccine requires two doses 28 days apart and latest data from the US shows it is 93 per cent effective against Covid-19 infection, 98 per cent effective against severe disease and 100 per cent effective against death. 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right with TGA boss John Skerrit) speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right with TGA boss John Skerrit) speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra

The jab - which has been approved for over 18s - uses the same mRNA technology as the Pfizer vaccine and is not linked to the rare blood clots caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

Professor John Skerritt, head of the TGA, said the decision was made to approve the jab in adults only - rather than wait for more data on teenagers - to help speed up the rollout.

'We made the decision in conjunction with the company to do the adults first because that enabled us to reach a decision earlier which can then start the whole process of access to the vaccine in Australia earlier,' he said. 

A woman receives the AstraZeneca vaccine at the new drive-through centre in Melbourne on Monday (pictured)

A woman receives the AstraZeneca vaccine at the new drive-through centre in Melbourne on Monday

'The data on the teenagers does look good and we should be able to make a decision again convening the expert advisory committee within the next three or four weeks.' 

Professor Skerritt described the jab as 'really exciting' because of its high efficacy. 

The Moderna jab has been used widely in the UK, Europe and the US where 140million doses have been given.

One million doses are expected to arrive in Australia in late September and three million in each of October, November and December. 

Australia's agreement with Moderna is for 10million doses of their current vaccine in 2021 and 15million doses of booster or variant-specific versions of the vaccine in 2022. 

Everything you need to know about the Modern jab:

WHO IS MODERNA? 

Moderna is an American Biomedical and pharmaceutical firm which specialises in RNA therapeutics.

The company is based in Cambridge Massachusetts and has developed 24 vaccine candidates for diseases like the flu, HIV and the Nipah virus.

It first gained approval for its Covid jab in the US in late 2020.

HOW DOES THE VACCINE WORK?

Moderna, like the Pfizer jab, uses mRNA technology to 'teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies,' the Centre for Disease Control in the US explained.

That means, those who receive the potentially life-saving shot can gain protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick from Covid-19.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT?

Even against the highly infectious Indian Delta variant, Moderna's vaccine is highly effective with US clinical trials showing a 94.1 per cent protection rate from coronavirus after the second dose.

DO I NEED TWO JABS? 

Like other Covid vaccines, the inoculation requires two shots about 28 days aparts for maximum results.

IS IT SAFE? 

The Moderna vaccine has proven very safe during its use throughout the world and has been given the green light by Australia's medicines watchdog, The Therapeutic Goods Administration.

However there is no vaccination that is entirely risk-free, so it is best to speak with your GP before receiving the shot.

WILL THE MODERNA JAB REQUIRE BOOSTER SHOTS?

As the coronavirus continues to mutate, boosters shots are likely to be offered to those already fully vaccinated.

This will be the case for Moderna and almost every other vaccine provider.

WHO IS ELIGABLE FOR THE MODERNA JAB? 

The US Centers for Disease Control recommends anyone over the age of 18 is suitable to get vaccinated with Moderna.

In Australia, regulatory health bodies are yet to determine what age group will be eligible.

BUT WHAT ABOUT KIDS?

Given the highly infectious nature of the Indian Delta variant Moderna is in the midst of planning a clinical trial for children aged between 6-12.

About 6000 children are expected to be involved in the US study and the company has also flagged it may include nations like Canada and Australia.

Exactly when the trial is to get underway and if Australia will be involved is still being discussed.

WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES MODERNA HAVE?

Although the Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab, it doesn't not need to be stored at minus-75 degrees Celsius in specifically designed medical freezer units.

Moderna doses can be stored at -20 degrees Celsius, roughly the same temperatures as a regular kitchen freezer.

That means it will be far easier to transport the Modern vaccine into rural areas.

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Everything you need to know about the Modern jab:

WHO IS MODERNA? 

Moderna is an American Biomedical and pharmaceutical firm which specialises in RNA therapeutics.

The company is based in Cambridge Massachusetts and has developed 24 vaccine candidates for diseases like the flu, HIV and the Nipah virus.

It first gained approval for its Covid jab in the US in late 2020.

HOW DOES THE VACCINE WORK?

Moderna, like the Pfizer jab, uses mRNA technology to 'teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies,' the Centre for Disease Control in the US explained.

That means, those who receive the potentially life-saving shot can gain protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick from Covid-19.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT?

Even against the highly infectious Indian Delta variant, Moderna's vaccine is highly effective with US clinical trials showing a 94.1 per cent protection rate from coronavirus after the second dose.

DO I NEED TWO JABS? 

Like other Covid vaccines, the inoculation requires two shots about 28 days aparts for maximum results.

IS IT SAFE? 

The Moderna vaccine has proven very safe during its use throughout the world and has been given the green light by Australia's medicines watchdog, The Therapeutic Goods Administration.

However there is no vaccination that is entirely risk-free, so it is best to speak with your GP before receiving the shot.

WILL THE MODERNA JAB REQUIRE BOOSTER SHOTS?

As the coronavirus continues to mutate, boosters shots are likely to be offered to those already fully vaccinated.

This will be the case for Moderna and almost every other vaccine provider.

WHO IS ELIGABLE FOR THE MODERNA JAB? 

The US Centers for Disease Control recommends anyone over the age of 18 is suitable to get vaccinated with Moderna.

In Australia, regulatory health bodies are yet to determine what age group will be eligible.

BUT WHAT ABOUT KIDS?

Given the highly infectious nature of the Indian Delta variant Moderna is in the midst of planning a clinical trial for children aged between 6-12.

About 6000 children are expected to be involved in the US study and the company has also flagged it may include nations like Canada and Australia.

Exactly when the trial is to get underway and if Australia will be involved is still being discussed.

WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES MODERNA HAVE?

Although the Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab, it doesn't not need to be stored at minus-75 degrees Celsius in specifically designed medical freezer units.

Moderna doses can be stored at -20 degrees Celsius, roughly the same temperatures as a regular kitchen freezer.

That means it will be far easier to transport the Modern vaccine into rural areas.

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