Australia is getting a CDC, years after facing COVID-19 without a playbook.

The Australian Government has announced a significant investment of $251.7 million to establish the nation's first independent Centre for Disease Control (CDC), a move aimed at bolstering Australia's preparedness for future health emergencies.

Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler says a CDC is needed in light of Australia's previous lack of a centralised disease control body. 

He says that until now, Australia was the only OECD country without an equivalent institution.

The decision follows findings from the COVID-19 Response Inquiry, which criticised Australia's preparedness going into the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The report identified significant gaps, including the absence of a national pandemic strategy, a depleted National Medical Stockpile, and overburdened health and aged care systems. “Because of the lack of planning, Australia’s pandemic response to COVID was slow, confused and lacked authority,” Butler said.

An interim CDC was launched in January 2024 as part of a phased approach, marking the first step towards the full establishment of the CDC, slated for 1 January 2026. 

This interim body has already enhanced the nation's health security measures, conducting drills to prepare for threats such as avian influenza.

The Australian CDC will operate independently from the Department of Health and Aged Care, with its headquarters in Canberra. 

It will focus on integrating expertise and information to provide timely and reliable health advice, thereby improving health outcomes nationwide. 

The CDC's formation is also informed by the ‘One Health’ approach, which recognises the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.

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