General COVID-19 Vaccine Discussion

[RooFlyer]

Well, if we are having little parochial whinges based on states, Tasmania got its vaccine delivery a full day later than the mainland states. Wah, wha, wha ... .

And drron will appreciate this - the north of the state is whinging because the south got it first (but the North-west got aged-care doses first!). Poor old Launnie got

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Have mine booked for mid March to get it out of the way.

I normally get mine timed to before an overseas trip if I am travelling internationally when the flu is about. But no overseas trip this year for me.

So I will instead revert to having the Flu Vaccine based on it taking about 2 weeks to provide protection, that it over time becomes less effective and that I mainly need need best protection over July to October. I also expect this season that CV19 actions will help to suppress the Flu and so I will probably have it in May.

ie
The timing of vaccination should aim to achieve the highest level of protection during the peak of the influenza season. Flu season in Queensland is typically from June to September, with the peak usually in August.

Vaccinating from April provides protection before the peak season takes place. While protection is generally expected to last for the whole season, the best protection against influenza occurs within the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.

 

[Pushka]

I normally get mine timed to before an overseas trip if I am travelling internationally when the flu is about. But no overseas trip this year for me.

So I will instead revert to having the Flu Vaccine based on it taking about 2 weeks to provide protection, that it over time becomes less effective and that I mainly need need best protection over July to October. I also expect this season that CV19 actions will help to suppress the Flu and so I will probably have it in May.

ie
The timing of vaccination should aim to achieve the highest level of protection during the peak of the influenza season. Flu season in Queensland is typically from June to September, with the peak usually in August.

Vaccinating from April provides protection before the peak season takes place. While protection is generally expected to last for the whole season, the best protection against influenza occurs within the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.


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Sure. Touch wood have never had flu but two years ago my partner developed flu in late March/early April and was very unwell over Easter. So we go early. A top up was mentioned last year in March when I had it and then, well, Covid and flu just didn’t happen. Assuming we are in second tranche then April is the likely time for Covid shots.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Dr Young said once all people within phase 1a had received vaccines, which is expected to take four to six weeks in Queensland,

So 4 to 6 weeks in Qld for everyone on 1a to have received the vaccine. Looks like the rollout must be going to really ramp up in that the last couple of weeks. Nationally 1a requires about 1.4 million does. 2 doses per person.

Presumably that will be what the Feds are rolling out to ALL jurisdictions as they are ones that are making the vaccine available to each jurisdiction based on need including at what rate.

So excellent news.

 

[jb747]

Seems very very wrong that Vic are getting more doses than NSW especially since NSW has a population 20% larger, and NSW is actually taking overseas arrivals unlike Vic.

So, on that metric, I assume that ATC should be getting no vaccine at all.

So can someone divert some more vaccine to WA so that they will be open to us in April.

Aren't we used to WA being missing now? Do we really want them back?

I know that politicians having their picture taken whilst getting the vaccine is supposed to spur people on....but. Firstly I assume that the vaccine in question is not the same one the majority of us will be getting. And secondly, shouldn't they be last in the queue, so as to ensure the delivery system is overall efficient and speedy - and also as a measure of their overall expendability.

 

[Pushka]

SA Premier had the vaccination today. Comment “There was no pain whatsoever.”

Mr Stevens added: “There’s a slight prick but that’s part of life, isn’t it.”

 

[jakeseven7]

SA Premier had the vaccination today. Comment “There was no pain whatsoever.”

Mr Stevens added: “There’s a slight prick but that’s part of life, isn’t it.”

Probably referring to his police commissioner* EDIT or whoever the grumpy old man is who made all the poor decisions in SA

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

So, on that metric, I assume that ATC should be getting no vaccine at all.

Aren't we used to WA being missing now? Do we really want them back?

I know that politicians having their picture taken whilst getting the vaccine is supposed to spur people on....but. Firstly I assume that the vaccine in question is not the same one the majority of us will be getting. And secondly, shouldn't they be last in the queue, so as to ensure the delivery system is overall efficient and speedy - and also as a measure of their overall expendability.

I only read that Federal Health Minister, Secretary of Health and NSW Premier are in the queue for Astra Zeneca

I assume Phase 1b is still Pfizer which is where Qld CHO and Qld Premier have put themselves

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Probably referring to his police commissioner

Haha are you mixing up names? Stevens is the SA Police Commissioner lol

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Seems very very wrong that Vic are getting more doses than NSW especially since NSW has a population 20% larger, and NSW is actually taking overseas arrivals unlike Vic.

I note this morning's quote:

Health Minister Greg Hunt said he hoped to see 60,000 vaccinations across Australia in the next week.​

From earlier in the thread Vic are getting 12,000 in week one = 20%. Population is 26%. So pro-rata Vic is getting less doses than an average figure.

Nothing yet reported actually indicates that Vic are getting more doses than NSW either in raw numbers or on a pro-rata basis.

Nothing yet either to suggest that the Feds are not allocating vaccines on a logical basis which is based on need and risk., I personally believe will happen subject to logistics and may delivery hiccups which may occur.

 

[Pushka]

Probably referring to his police commissioner

The three of them - Premier PC and CHO lined up together this morning. Stevens (PC) has a very dry sense of humour and pretty much says what he thinks.

(the way that the media wrote this comment I agree is a little confusing, I just did a copy and paste)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I only read that Federal Health Minister, Secretary of Health and NSW Premier are in the queue for Astra Zeneca

I assume Phase 1b is still Pfizer which is where Qld CHO and Qld Premier have put themselves

Yes I have not seen the detail either.

You would expect that they may wish to trial the effect of the two vaccine in like populations.

1a is upto 1.4 million does. 1 b is upto 14.8 million does.

Pffizer is 20 million does, but that is spread over 2021 and so a good chunk of 1b will need to be Astra Zeneca in order that 1b are all vaccinated at the quickest possible rate.

 

[ethernet]

Typical vaccination programs have wastage of around 25% so by that metric it shouldn't be too bad. Hopefully we have a way of a quick booking system for leftover doses before they expire.

If a wastage rate of 25% is considered normal, this is criminal. You don't need bookings, and you can just grab random people walking by, rather than waste it. Israel is getting it right. Is Australia dumber than Israel, and putting procedure ahead of saving lives?
The hospital or facility has a public address system - use it. Always have a plan B, and a list of pax to go in the case of no-shows.

 

[RooFlyer]

You don't need bookings, and you can just grab random people walking by, rather than waste it.

I think that’s what they did in Texas when the power failed during that intense cold snap. literally got a line formed from passers-by and vaccinated them.

 

[Pushka]

If a wastage rate of 25% is considered normal, this is criminal. You don't need bookings, and you can just grab random people walking by, rather than waste it. Israel is getting it right. Is Australia dumber than Israel, and putting procedure ahead of saving lives?
The hospital or facility has a public address system - use it. Always have a plan B, and a list of pax to go in the case of no-shows.

The US do the same thing. Contact people on a register or they simply queue up late in the day once those booked have been completed.

 

[jase05]

I only read that Federal Health Minister, Secretary of Health and NSW Premier are in the queue for Astra Zeneca

I assume Phase 1b is still Pfizer which is where Qld CHO and Qld Premier have put themselves

Marshall and Spurrier had their shots this morning

 

[ethernet]

Someone should tell the Victorian premier that every ***** is sacred, and if one is wasted god will get quite irate (From Life of Brian). I digress but there ARE some hospitals that have procedures that cause waste and inefficiency, that have no intention of removing those spots. Example - frontline workers only get it if they can show proof of employment. But the lower caste Uber eats delivery dude doing the pizza run, or the lowly laundry washerwoman, casual pathology driver handling q'tine items will be ineligible as it stands. These unofficial transient nobodies with huge high velocity public external contacts, will probably be Victorias next 1 billion dollar lockdown. Now really, which doctor will go out on a limb, point to Ali or Sanjay - and say get in line? What if they don't have a medicare card, or if their passport/visa has expired?

Doctors are trained to have keen observation skills, and make associations others might not. Now tell me are they able to make such 'captains pick' calls as of today? The ability to empower responsible people (doctors) to spot and deal with edge cases is VITAL.

 

[kpc]

Marshall and Spurrier had their shots this morning

Should not have jumped the Q!!

 

[Lynda2475]

I know that politicians having their picture taken whilst getting the vaccine is supposed to spur people on....but. Firstly I assume that the vaccine in question is not the same one the majority of us will be getting. And secondly, shouldn't they be last in the queue, so as to ensure the delivery system is overall efficient and speedy - and also as a measure of their overall

Personally i do not feel politicians getting the vaccine first actually instills any extra confidence, as a population Aussies are generally pro-immunisation. But surely seeing ScoMo and then Kelly get it is enough. More politicians doesnt give more confidence it actually creates resentment from those who haveagreater health need.

I find it appalling that Pfizer is being given to some state Premiers and CHOs, selfish as none are in high risk category based on age and none interact directly with Covid positive cases.

Gladys and Dr Chant have both stated they will wait for the Oxford vaccine and not queue jump, pity other jurisdictions arent likewise saving the very limited pfizer doses for those who need it most.

Given the drip feed supply delivery of Pfizer over the next 10 months, and timeframe for completing phase 1a and 1b, a large portion of 1b (and possibly some of 1a) are going to end up with Oxford AZ, not Pfizer.

Feds really should be offering a grant for CSIRO or other company to eetablish an onshore capability to make MRNA (and other new generation vaccine). Should be in any state/territory other than Vic to ensure geographic distance so no risk a natural disaster takes down both local supply chains. It would pay for itself, as MRNA tech is the way forward forward and we could be main supplier in AsiaPac.

There was definite news report last week of Vic being given extra pfizer doses above original allocation, will have to search for it tonight from laptop, too hard to do on mobile.

@drron or @Princess Fiona is there any credible research yet on consequences of a person having more than one vaccine?

Based on Aus plan i will end up with Oxford, but should additional doses of Pfizer or Moderna or even Novavax become available (all which currently appear to offer better protection, and be effective against current mutations) i would be keen to upgrade my protection.

I am a little concerned due to lower production costs and CSLs older technology, Australia is being locked into potentially inferior option long term. I understwmd CSL could pivot to making Novovax as within their capability and supposed to be more effective. But if over course of this year mrna vaccines continue to show better performance elsewhere i dont want to be denied that. Im sure im not the only one who having got oxford would happily travel overseas (medical tourism) to get a better vaccine provided it isnt dangerous to do so.

I suspect many who will delay getting avaccine, may bedoing so to increase their chances of getting a choice.

 

[jase05]

Personally i do not feel politicians getting the vaccine first actually instills any extra confidence, as a population Aussies are generally pro-immunisation. But surely seeing ScoMo and then Kelly get it is enough. More politicians doeent give more confidence it actually creates resentment from those who haveagreater health need.

I find it appaling that Pfizer is being given to some state Premiers and CHOs, selfish as none are in high risk category based on age and none interact directly with Covid positive cases.

Gladys and Dr Chant have both stated they will wait for the Oxford vaccine and not queue jump, pity other jurisdictions arent likewise saving the very limited pfizer doses for those who need it most.

Given the drip feed supply delivery of Pfizer over the next 10 months, and timeframe for completing phase 1a and 1b, a large portion of 1b (and possibly some of 1a) are going to end up with Oxford AZ, not Pfizer.

Feds really should be offering a grant for CSIRO or other company to eetablish an onshore capability to make MRNA (and other new generation vaccine). Should be in any state/territory other than Vic to ensure geographic distance so no risk a natural disaster takes down both local supply chains. It would pay for itself, as MRNA tech is the way forward forward and we could be main supplier in AsiaPac.

There was definite news report last week of Vic being given extra pfizer doses above original allocation, will have to search for it tonight from laptop, too hard to do on mobile.

@drron or @Princess Fiona is there any credible research yet on consequences of a person having more than one vaccine?

Based on Aus plan i will end up with Oxford, but should additional doses of Pfizer or Moderna or even Novavax become available (all which currently appear to offer better protection, and be effective against current mutations) i would be keen to upgrade my protection.

I am a little concerned due to lower production costs and CSLs older technology, Australia is being locked into potentially inferior option long term. I understwmd CSL could pivot to making Novovax as within their capability and supposed to be more effective. But if over course of this year mrna vaccines continue to show better performance elsewhere i dont want to be denied that. Im sure im not the only one who having got oxford would happily travel overseas (medical tourism) to get a better vaccine provided it isnt dangerous to do so.

I suspect many who will delay getting avaccine, may bedoing so to increase their chances of getting a choice.

Why is everyone so negative towards the AZ vaccine?
I will be thankful for whichever one I receive and I just don’t understand the angst against AZ