General COVID-19 Vaccine Discussion

[Pushka]

Pfizer vaccine has landed in Australia. 142,000 doses to be commenced on 22nd Feb.

 

[jakeseven7]

Announcement of AstraZeneca vaccine approval imminent: CMO Paul Kelly​

Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said an announcement would be made on the approval of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the coming days.

When asked whether he would prefer to receive the Pfizer of the AstraZeneca vaccine, he said he would be happy to be receive either.

As it happened: First Pfizer vaccine doses arrive in Australia as Victoria records one local COVID-19 case, lockdown continues

The New Zealand travel bubble was suspended late on Sunday following new COVID-19 cases in Auckland. The latest Johns Hopkins University data shows there have been 108.7 million confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic and almost 2.4 million deaths.

www.theage.com.au

 

[jb747]

There will be 2 million AZ doses by the end of March, and then a million a week.

The 2 million Pfizer doses come over the next 3 months.

In theory everyone could have a first dose by roughly June, I think. Depending what sort of regimen is approved by the TGA for Ox-AZ

I think you have far more faith in the system than I do. Whilst my comment was made in jest, I expect Australia to perform very badly when it comes to actually getting the vaccine out there.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I think you have far more faith in the system than I do. Whilst my comment was made in jest, I expect Australia to perform very badly when it comes to actually getting the vaccine out there.

I respectfully disagree. Medical professionals are currently going through the education for administering now. My father just emailed me his certificate confirming his qualification to administer and dilute both Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines ...it's a good feeling to see it.

He has been a Doctor for almost 40 years, he tells me everyone is having the same training regardless of previous knowledge. That's an excellent start.

 

[Pushka]

I respectfully disagree. Medical professionals are currently going through the education for administering now. My father just emailed me his certificate confirming his qualification to administer and dilute both Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines ...it's a good feeling to see it.

He has been a Doctor for almost 40 years, he tells me everyone is having the same training regardless of previous knowledge. That's an excellent start.

Are you able to say anything about how the Pfizer one is going to be administered in GP clinics or will that will be requiring only Central Public Hospital facilities? If their logistics can cope, GP clinics will have access to it for an absolute maximum of 5 days after removal from the extremely low temp environment so administering it in a clinic is possible but also likely to go very awry.

 

[DC3]

jb747 said:
I think you have far more faith in the system than I do. Whilst my comment was made in jest, I expect Australia to perform very badly when it comes to actually getting the vaccine out there

... My father just emailed me his certificate confirming his qualification to administer and dilute both Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines ...it's a good feeling to see it.

He has been a Doctor for almost 40 years, he tells me everyone is having the same training regardless of previous knowledge. That's an excellent start.

Unfortunately, the medicos won’t have involvement in the planning/logistics of getting the vaccine out there, or with the appointments system, including notifying us of when/where to turn up. Different story once it gets into the hospitals/clinics of course.

There are 77 countries ahead of us with the vax roll-out, so hopefully Oz authorities have learned something of the potential issues.

However, we hope for the best.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Are you able to say anything about how the Pfizer one is going to be administered in GP clinics or will that will be requiring only Central Public Hospital facilities? If their logistics can cope, GP clinics will have access to it for an absolute maximum of 5 days after removal from the extremely low temp environment so administering it in a clinic is possible but also likely to go very awry.

I'm not privy to any info, I think that's up to states. He expects to only encounter and administer the Oxford.

 

[jakeseven7]

Unfortunately, the medicos won’t have involvement in the planning/logistics of getting the vaccine out there, or with the appointments system, including notifying us of when/where to turn up.

Incorrect, having just helped with the tender for the process for our business I can say they absolutely have had involvement and especially so in the case of AZ.

 

[DC3]

Pfizer vaccine has landed in Australia. 142,000 doses to be commenced on 22nd Feb.

Has anyone heard of appointments yet?

 

[DC3]

Incorrect, having just helped with the tender for the process for our business I can say they absolutely have had involvement and especially so in the case of AZ.

So, what’s the involvement?

 

[RooFlyer]

Are you able to say anything about how the Pfizer one is going to be administered in GP clinics or will that will be requiring only Central Public Hospital facilities? If their logistics can cope, GP clinics will have access to it for an absolute maximum of 5 days after removal from the extremely low temp environment so administering it in a clinic is possible but also likely to go very awry.

I believe Pfizer is only going to be given via certain hospital and other 'high level' facilities because, in part, of the temperature requirement.

Has anyone heard of appointments yet?

As its only going to be administered to the 'priority' group of front line health professions and (I think) the elderly, I don't think there will be general invitations to make appointments, except, I guess for the target groups.

 

[jakeseven7]

So, what’s the involvement?

Let me know if you work for any of the state based PHN or DOH's, if not - sorry commercial in confidence

 

[DC3]

Let me know if you work for any of the state based PHN or DOH's, if not - sorry commercial in confidence

Oh. Very 007.

I was interested in the participation of (real) pointy-end doctors, rather than administrative types, outside of hospitals/clinics. But not to worry.

 

[nutwood]

Interesting that the States get to decide the allocation. I refer back to my earlier comment on proactive V reactive...

 

[jakeseven7]

Oh. Very 007.

I was interested in the participation of (real) pointy-end doctors, rather than administrative types, outside of hospitals/clinics. But not to worry.

We wrote the tender for clinics that will roll out AZ. The medicos are heavily involved.

 

[jb747]

There is one problem, these ideas all share a common failing....

Yep, they’re in Victoria. When Dan says remote, he means somewhere else.

I respectfully disagree. Medical professionals are currently going through the education for administering now. My father just emailed me his certificate confirming his qualification to administer and dilute both Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines ...it's a good feeling to see it.

He has been a Doctor for almost 40 years, he tells me everyone is having the same training regardless of previous knowledge. That's an excellent start.

Oh, I have no issues with the medical people themselves. They’ve proven their competence time and time again. But, before your father can administer anything, it has to be delivered to him, basically via a system designed by bureaucrats. Sir Humphrey is the weak link in the chain.

 

[OATEK]

jb747 said:
I think you have far more faith in the system than I do. Whilst my comment was made in jest, I expect Australia to perform very badly when it comes to actually getting the vaccine out there


Unfortunately, the medicos won’t have involvement in the planning/logistics of getting the vaccine out there, or with the appointments system, including notifying us of when/where to turn up. Different story once it gets into the hospitals/clinics of course.

There are 77 countries ahead of us with the vax roll-out, so hopefully Oz authorities have learned something of the potential issues.

However, we hope for the best.

That is probably 77 countries with higher infection rates, many with uncontrolled spread, higher death rates.....

 

[DC3]

That is probably 77 countries with higher infection rates, many with uncontrolled spread, higher death rates.....

Some are in a horrific a situation. Others less so. Anyway, which body is coordinating wordwide allocation, based on need?

 

[RooFlyer]

Anyway, which body is coordinating wordwide allocation, based on need?

Nothing central. Countries have entered into contracts with certain vaccine suppliers, with no. doses, presumably including a period of delivery linked to when the contact was signed. Some countries like Australia have indigenous manufacturing capability and will be assisting poorer countries in its region.

Then there is COVAX, where Australia's is participating:

Covax: How many Covid vaccines have the US and the other G7 countries pledged? - BBC News

As the US doubles its donation pledge, here's a look at how the Covax vaccine scheme is progressing.

www.bbc.com

 

[Must...Fly!]

Oh, I have no issues with the medical people themselves. They’ve proven their competence time and time again. But, before your father can administer anything, it has to be delivered to him, basically via a system designed by bureaucrats. Sir Humphrey is the weak link in the chain.

I understand your reservations but state health services are very well practiced in distribution of critical supplies. With the added assistance of the federal government and 1 million doses a week coming out of CSL in Victoria, I foresee no reason why logistical or political shortfalls should hinder the rollout - at least in the major centres. We are in a very fortunate position in Australia relative to other nations.