General COVID-19 Vaccine Discussion

[Lynda2475]

Just a question, though. Do you ( or others here) get the annual flu vaccine? Or any other vaccine, for that matter, If so, did you know the side-effects and risks of the vaccine you got? Did you choose to get a particular vaccine because you knew or suspected or has been told or heard a rumour that one was better than the other?

WRT Flu vax I always choose which one to get. Some years the freebie at work has only be for 3 strains, so I've paid extra to the quad variety from my GP. When office tells us who the provider is each year, I contact them to find out what vax they are using and then check with GP to see if there is a better one for me.

I'm allergic to penicillin, so am always weary of trying new drugs incase I also have am anaphylactic reactions to something new.

I've had a stack of travel jabs (including yellow fever), usually I send my GP office the list of countries and regions where I'm going, when I arrive for appointment they have a list of recommendations based on what I've already had, I discuss which ones I will get, get the literature re side effects etc, then come back to see the nurse when I'm informed to get the shots.

I weigh the side effect risks against how badly I want to visit a location and if there are reliable no medication alternatives. For example when i have been to malaria regions for very short periods i.e. 3 days at Iguazu, I opted not to take the anti-malarials because of the time you have to take them, instead dressed in long sleeves and pants and dosed myself with bushman's friend (DEET) but I did get Yellow fever vax as unlike malaria it isnt treatable. I also got rabies vax because if you get bitten timing of treatments is more crucial if you haven't been vaccinated - and you cant always get to a hospital quickly.

 

[Flashback]

Well @RAM you have distinguished yourself again as the master of conspiracy theories..The true figure for German cases of clotting after the AZ vaccine is not 10000 the number of usual cases of this type of clotting but 1 in 90000.This is some 10 times greater than the number that has occurred in the UK.
The other thing you are obviously unaware of is that sometimes clusters do happen by chance._ though unlikely in this instance.I have reported 2 instances of suspicious clusters in my time.Heart attacks in Rayon workers and one of a cluster of thyroid cancer.Both turned out not to be proven.As did a famous case in Brisbane of cancer in ABC staffers.

The German numbers though certainly do seem unusual compared to other countries so the true incidence is still therefore unknown.In medicine though caution is the key.So the reccomendations given I do agree with.
However what worries me is that the Europeans think the reason for this effect is antibodies produced in reaction to the vaccine cross react with platelets.As this disease is more common with Covid than after the vaccine so far it is possible that this may eventually be seen with other vaccines.After all they all aim to produce antibodies to Covid.

I did like your little praise of NZ by saying they got in early getting extra doses of Pfizer on March 7 then of course listed Greg Hunt ordering extra doses on Feb 7th.

And by your figures Pfizer have delivered just on 1 million doses of vaccine by the end of March.Just half of what was agreed to in the initial contract.

But I really have to laugh at your implication that AZ is less trueful than Pfizer.I wonder why you didn't post Pfizer's record on fines from the same source as you used for AZ.Maybe because they have been fined more including the largest fine ever in 2009.

pfizer | Violation Tracker

Violation Tracker, produced by the Corporate Research Project of Good Jobs First, is a wide-ranging database on misconduct by large and small corporations throughout the United States.

violationtracker.goodjobsfirst.org

Perhaps there's a link between the amount of German sausage & cheese eaten and having the AZ vaccination. This is perhaps what's referred to as the Wurst Kase scenario?

 

[jonboixxx]

It’s about communication though isn’t it?

It's also about being informed. Unfortunately, when the 2 minutes of vaccine headlines on commercial news broadcasts incorporates 'failures' or 'shambles', I don't trust that many (not AFFers) are actually aware of the multitude of communications through various channels.

 

[mrsterryn]

It's also about being informed. Unfortunately, when the 2 minutes of vaccine headlines on commercial news broadcasts incorporates 'failures' or 'shambles', I don't trust that many (not AFFers) are actually aware of the multitude of communications through various channels.

I agree there is a bucket load of information...headlines and others...however it does get to a point of overload.
There is just so much information being disseminated it is so much. Sometimes it is quite hard to sort the wheat from the chaff (ummm really old saying lol) to work out what is relevant to moi.

 

[Jmrocky]

Any situation that stops you moving creates the risk for blood clots. Heparin is routinely given prior to major surgery as a preventive. Lying in bed for days is a risk factor. HRT can be a risk factor. Contraceptives are a risk factor. Auto immune illnesses are a risk factor. And sometimes they just happen. Perhaps they should remove The Pill off the medicines list if this risk factor for AZ is deemed so great. Interesting that the Pill doesn't raise any concern but AZ which is given to males and females, does.

My understanding is the mortality rate of AZ related clots and those from other medications or conditions used in comparisons is significantly higher. So although incidence rate is less, mortality rate is far higher and of a more serious clot type.

Secondly, society has had 70 years to accept risks associated with birth control. This vaccine rollout in Aus is 2 months old, society is less willing to roll the dice with this. Especially considering that given the nature of the vaccine rollout, those unfortunate to have side effects will have them within a small time period, as opposed to something which is administered continuously over a longer period.

 

[Pushka]

My understanding is the mortality rate of AZ related clots and those from other medications or conditions used in comparisons is significantly higher. So although incidence rate is less, mortality rate is far higher and of a more serious clot type.

Secondly, society has had 70 years to accept risks associated with birth control. This vaccine rollout in Aus is 2 months old, society is less willing to roll the dice with this. Especially considering that given the nature of the vaccine rollout, those unfortunate to have side effects will have them within a small time period, as opposed to something which is administered continuously over a longer period.

Agree re the seriousness of these clots. On the other hand, I expect the information sheet will be able to identify the warning signs and which were not known before, and treatment can be sought and administered quickly. It does however, mean issues for those people who live remotely or indigenous communities who may not have access.

 

[Seat0B]

One of the more interesting ideas of data collection and viral surveillance was to get volunteers to donate small amounts of blood on a monthly basis worldwide and then look for antibodies. Pretty interesting concept and you can see how it would be beneficial once (hopefully) the vaccines have most of the COVID threat behind us.

I note the CDC in the USA has said vaccinated people can travel free and wide within the US, adhering to the same prevention methods as others such as regular hand washing, sanitising and mask wearing. A small sign that we are moving forward, from a travel perspective.

I recently had a minor medical procedure and at the hospital was asked to donate saliva and blood for uni research into COVID as a person who did not have COVID (presumably for some kind of control in their experiment/test), which I happily agreed to. Saliva very non-invasive to provide, and I was already being blood tested, so a couple more vials were no biggie. I would love to know more about the results of the research, but I don;t think that is possible.

 

[Flashback]

I recently had a minor medical procedure and at the hospital was asked to donate saliva and blood for uni research into COVID as a person who did not have COVID (presumably for some kind of control in their experiment/test), which I happily agreed to. Saliva very non-invasive to provide, and I was already being blood tested, so a couple more vials were no biggie. I would love to know more about the results of the research, but I don;t think that is possible.

Just don't commit a crime now!

 

[Seat0B]

Any situation that stops you moving creates the risk for blood clots. Heparin is routinely given prior to major surgery as a preventive. Lying in bed for days is a risk factor. HRT can be a risk factor. Contraceptives are a risk factor. Auto immune illnesses are a risk factor. And sometimes they just happen. Perhaps they should remove The Pill off the medicines list if this risk factor for AZ is deemed so great. Interesting that the Pill doesn't raise any concern but AZ which is given to males and females, does.

OT, but if you are interested in the way women are under-represented in medical trials of all kinds and other aspects of social policy and planning all around the world, you might "enjoy" reading the very well researched book Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez. An interesting, if depressing, read.

 

[NM]

[Mod Hat]
Several posts have been removed as they are politically motivated and add no value to the discussion. Stick to the topic please.
[/Mod Hat]

 

[hb13]

So does anyone know when the new planned date for when all adults will receive both doses of their vaccine? My understanding is that yesterday was a 'record' day for Australia with 80k vaccines. At that rate every single day, you would have all adults done sometime in Q3 2022. Obviously there will be other delays, issues, etc, so that may not be possible.

Is Australia now looking at end of 2022 for all Aussies to be vaccinated (or offered to have been vaccinated, some I assume will not get vaccinated)?

 

[mviy]

So does anyone know when the new planned date for when all adults will receive both doses of their vaccine?

I don't think anything has been announced yet. They are still figuring that one out.

My understanding is that yesterday was a 'record' day for Australia with 80k vaccines. At that rate every single day, you would have all adults done sometime in Q3 2022. Obviously there will be other delays, issues, etc, so that may not be possible.

On the other hand they may be able to ramp up the rollout still to speed things up. Things should become clearer as time goes on.

Is Australia now looking at end of 2022 for all Aussies to be vaccinated (or offered to have been vaccinated, some I assume will not get vaccinated)?

I don't think we are looking at that late. The biggest risk is still if mutations emerge that cause hospitalisations or deaths among those who have been vaccinated meaning that a booster shot is needed.

 

[drron]

As I pointed out in another thread saying vaccinations won't be finished until late 2022 is way too pessimistic. With 40 million Pfizer doses to be delivered this year and its production to be massively increased later this year plus Novavax to become available later this year and some of us still willing to take the AZ vaccine anyone who wants to be vaccinated should be able to have it done this year.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

As I pointed out in another thread saying vaccinations won't be finished until late 2022 is way too pessimistic. With 40 million Pfizer doses to be delivered this year and its production to be massively increased later this year plus Novavax to become available later this year and some of us still willing to take the AZ vaccine anyone who wants to be vaccinated should be able to have it done this year.

I think that there are about 30% of the population who are over 50. A fair chunk of this being likely to still take AZ.

Plus further work may assist in screening who should not take AZ.

If some countries beyond NZ open up for non-essential travel from Australia being vaccinated may well be a likely condition of travel out of and entry back into Australia, and is so that may also have some take AZ who might well otherwise not. I am probably at 60 in this group as with the present circumstances I see no pressing need to be vaccinated if international travel is not possible.

Lastly over time the Federal Gov may source yet other vaccines.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Perhaps the more medical minded here can help. I seem to recall hearing that low blood pressure is an added risk factor of developing the clots associated with the AZ vaccine. Have I recalled that correctly, or am I mixed up and the low blood pressure is a potential side effect and contributor to possibility of blood clots developing?

 

[trevella]

Perhaps the more medical minded here can help. I seem to recall hearing that low blood pressure is an added risk factor of developing the clots associated with the AZ vaccine. Have I recalled that correctly, or am I mixed up and the low blood pressure is a potential side effect and contributor to possibility of blood clots developing?

Were you perhaps thinking of low platelet counts?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Were you perhaps thinking of low platelet counts?

You may be right, having done a little more reading.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Perhaps the more medical minded here can help. I seem to recall hearing that low blood pressure is an added risk factor of developing the clots associated with the AZ vaccine. Have I recalled that correctly, or am I mixed up and the low blood pressure is a potential side effect and contributor to possibility of blood clots developing?

Not at all a medico, but listed as one of the possible serious side effects is:

fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (due to a drop in blood pressure)

 

[burmans]

As I pointed out in another thread saying vaccinations won't be finished until late 2022 is way too pessimistic. With 40 million Pfizer doses to be delivered this year and its production to be massively increased later this year plus Novavax to become available later this year and some of us still willing to take the AZ vaccine anyone who wants to be vaccinated should be able to have it done this year.

Government have announced new target timeline of end of year but important to note this is for one dose, not fully vaccinated.

REVISED TIMELINE: Government pushes back vaccination deadline

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had originally planned to have all Australians vaccinated by October.

7news.com.au

For 2 doses it's likely to be early -mid Q2 2022, which assumes some ramp up but I'm pretty confident there will be some pressure to ensure this does actually happen.

 

[Pushka]

Government have announced new target timeline of end of year but important to note this is for one dose, not fully vaccinated.

REVISED TIMELINE: Government pushes back vaccination deadline

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had originally planned to have all Australians vaccinated by October.

7news.com.au

For 2 doses it's likely to be early -mid Q2 2022, which assumes some ramp up but I'm pretty confident there will be some pressure to ensure this does actually happen.

If everyone had their first by December end then three weeks later is the second. End of Jan.