The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[Lynda2475]

An update for anyone in Melbourne. The pause on walk-ins now applies to all state vaccination hubs

Not unexpected. Due to the unpredictability of walk-ins a lot more first doses of Pfizer were given than expected, meaning the timing for a lot of the second doses was pushed out to 6 weeks, and quite a few complaining over the weekend that they could only get an appointment for second dose more than 6 weeks out. It would have been better to only do appointments for Pfizer (and always book the first and second doses together) so supplies could be better managed.

 

[drron]

Its not a hypothesis, it is a fact the majority of the Australian population will get two doses of an MRNA vaccine (predominantly Pfizer, a few Moderna).

Second doses of Pfizer have been given out every week since middle of February and will continue until the end of the year, if not beyond - all those not currently eligible for a first dose are earmarked for an MRNA vaccine. There is no expectation that we will see a reduction in second Pfizer doses, only a continued increase as supply increases.

Second doses of AZ only started in June and are likely to end well before the end of the year, as over 50s have been able to get their first dose for several weeks already, there is no shortage, so anyone over 50 planning to get vaccinated will likely have had their first short by end of July, so we should see second doses of AZ wrap up by October (most before then).

Yes we will see a increase in ratio of AZ to Pfizer in June-August period, but it is temporary and the overall doses of AZ will NOT eclipse the total number of Pfizer doses given by the end of the year which was my point.



However, there are also all the over 50s in residential aged care who got Pfizer, and plenty of workers in 1a (and some in 1b) who work in HQ/Hospitals/Airport who are over 50 who also got Pfizer. Plus some of the under 50s who got AZ before 9th April are choosing not to get the second dose and switching to Pfizer.

The number of under 50s who chose AZ is less than the number of over 50s who were given Pfizer.

You have forgotten Novavax.Aiming for authorisation in September.Australia has a case for emergency authorisation due to delays in doses from Pfizer and problems with AZ.Won't be needed in most bigger markets so hopefully supply won't be as much of a problem.And it has performed as well as the mRNA vaccines in trials.

What is the Novavax vaccine, and will it be available in Australia soon?

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been found to have more than 90 per cent efficacy in clinical trails, but how does it work? And does it have any side effects?

www.abc.net.au

Also now going to be produced in India as well as the US.

Novavax vaccine India: Novavax set for India launch with Serum Institute of India as manufacturing partner | India News - Times of India

India News: The large Novavax trials conducted on 29,960 persons in the US and Mexico have delivered results that equal the Pfizer and Moderna jabs and do better

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

But it has brought up and interesting question.650 Australians were vaccinated with the Novavax vaccine last year in a Phase 2 trial.At present they are unable to get a vaccination certificate.

Covid vaccine clinical trial participants in the dark on whether to get approved jabs

The vaccines could still be recognised in the Australian Immunisation Register.

www.canberratimes.com.au

 

[Lynda2475]

You have forgotten Novavax

No I havent, but its not yet approved and anyone working with Indian resources at the moment knows that supply of anything from India cant be guaranteed right now. Im up to my eyeballs in new contracts to find alternatives to Indian workforce, as Covid has them unable to deliver on things, even with WFH (and you cant manufacture vaccine from home).

The results look promising, but given ATAGI has not given emergency authorization for any vaccine to date, cant see them doing so for Novavax. They will go for full approval.

And an Indian supply chain doesnt seem more reliable than European and US for Pfizer.

IF Novavax comes into the mix, it will further displace AZ (those over 50s who wont take AZ, may consider Novavax) but I expect hesitancy to be high with a new vaccine until its in wide use elsewhere with real world data. Novavax will likely become more of a player next year with it being used as a booster for those who previously had AZ.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Yes we will see a increase in ratio of AZ to Pfizer in June-August period, but it is temporary

So you are now finally actually agreeing with what I stated then.

. "Over the next 2 months that should change" is actually Yes we will see a increase in ratio of AZ to Pfizer in June-August period,

Unfortunately the Feds rarely publish data on % of Pfizer and AZ injected, and by jurisdiction I think not at all. However due to the extra 9 weeks on when the second dose is given means that the current second dose totals are probably heavily biased by Pfizer. Over the next 2 months that should change.

The "biased" was a comment on the when doses are given for each vaccine, and its effect on the second dose rate.

and the overall doses of AZ will NOT eclipse the total number of Pfizer doses given by the end of the year which was my point.

Did I ever state that it would not? No indeed I said the opposite.

What I was discussing was what the current data shows, and the upcoming trends. And that is that there is a large bulge of AZ second doses that has only just started to occur and which will increasingly now show up in the figures. The total second rate and those that will be fully vaccinated will now thus start to surge.

This has nothing to do with the merits or not of either vaccine, it is just what is happening and will happen over the next few months and has been influenced by the timing of when second doses are given for each of the currently deployed vaccines.

The daily vaccinations will from now on contain a much greater % of people who are getting second doses, and gone is the period of it primarily having been first doses.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Though many have died on the road in quite unpredictable accidents.You do everything right and coming the other way a drug fueled idiot who crosses to your side with both vehicles travelling at ~ 100kph.happens all too regularly.

I have been a total advocate for getting vaccinated as quickly as possible and if AZ is what you are scheduled to get then get it without faffing around. However given how slowly the rollout is progressing then maybe there is a case for allowing people over 50 to elect to get Pfizer if that’s what they feel comfortable with. We just need to get on with it and it’s sounds as though we will be swimming in Pfizer in the October quarter and Novovax is sounding viable as well.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I have been a total advocate for getting vaccinated as quickly as possible and if AZ is what you are scheduled to get then get it without faffing around. However given how slowly the rollout is progressing then maybe there is a case for allowing people over 50 to elect to get Pfizer if that’s what they feel comfortable with. We just need to get on with it and it’s sounds as though we will be swimming in Pfizer in the October quarter and Novovax is sounding viable as well.

Yes from October Pfizer is predicted to lift to 2 million per week.

Moderna to presently be 1 million doses to arrive by September and 9 million doses by December. So perhaps about 20 % of vaccinations this calendar year.

December supply wise will allow that month to bea massive vaccination month if people actually present to get vaccinated.

Novavax to most likely start arring this calendar year as well.

The more rapidly the bulk of the population gets vaccinated (from a variety of vaccines), the more rapidly we as a community can benefit from reduced risk, and hopefully things like international travel for leisure, family reunions etc resuming.


In 2022 who knows? It seems that Moderna is to be preferred to Pfizer. And Novavax due to it only needing refrigerator storage could well become the most suitable for many locations. Plus let us not forget that many other vaccines are still being developed as well.

Also note that Moderna is working on a low dose vaccine which may well make it the preferred vaccine for the under 16's.

 

[Lynda2475]

So you are now finally actually agreeing with what I stated then.

Well no, you went out of your way to dispute my claim that Pfizer second doses will remain constant until supply increases. Perhaps read what I wrote instead of constantly looking for an argument.

Whilst second AZ doses will be on the rise, first doses of AZ will also be on the decline, as pretty much anyone eligible for AZ has had ample time to get their first doses already. The stragglers should be cleared by July. Many other over 50s will wait it out for a better alternative *Pfizer, Moderna or perhaps Novavax).

The daily vaccinations will from now on contain a much greater % of people who are getting second doses, and gone is the period of it primarily having been first doses.

Except that for Pfizer its pretty much been equal number of first and second doses since mid February (week 4 of Pfizer) and this will continue to be the case until we get a lot more supply in 4th quarter. There is not expected to be any decline in first doses for Pfizer this year (in fact increasing demand) the same can not be said for AZ.

 

[Lynda2475]

In 2021 who knows?

I think you mean 2022.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well no, you went out of your way to dispute my claim that Pfizer second doses will remain constant until supply increases.

Totally incorrect. I never stated any such thing (Though by the way supply has never been constant with Pfizer. So the Pfizer second dose rate will not have been constant.)

Once again what I said was that AZ second doses have only just stated to ramp up, and that this will now show up in the % of people who have had their second dose (= fully vaccinated).

Up until now, of the second doses injected most had been Pfizer due 1/ the gap between first and second doses being much shorter and 2/ AZ rollout started later than Pfizer rollout.

I really do not understand why it is that hard to follow:

• Second up till now = Mainly just Pfizer = very low % of second doses have been AZ due the 9 week lag and when AZ started
• Second doses from recently= Pfizer + AZ = now that AZ doses are actually been given the % of second doses that are AZ will increase

Probably twice as many AZ has been injected as Pfizer up to now, and so given that imbalance AZ will havea lot of the second doses over the next few months.

This is not an AZ /Pfizer competition, it is just what is being injected. Most people who have had Pfizer will have had their second dose. Very few of the millions who have had AZ will have had as yet had their second dose.

ie as per the graph below only those who had AZ before about 22 March will have had their second dose, and as one can see that cannot be very many. Whereas anyone who had their Pfizer dose before about 24 May will most likely have had their second dose = this will be a majority.




Both vaccines are effective. Multiple delivery channels are effective. The utilisation of multiple vaccines (including ultimately Moderna and Novavax) and multiple delivery channels will achieve a greater proportion of our population being fully vaccinated at a much earlier date.

Except that for Pfizer its pretty much been equal number of first and second doses since mid February (week 4 of Pfizer) and this will continue to be the case until we get a lot more supply in 4th quarter. There is not expected to be any decline in first doses for Pfizer this year (in fact increasing demand) the same can not be said for AZ.

You do understand that I am not attacking Pfizer?

Again AZ up to now had mainly been first doses. Pfizer had been a mix of both.

So from now on doses given in any particular week irrespective of the vaccine given, will have a higher proportion of first and second doses than they have have been able to have had in the past.

This has nothing to do with with the merits of either vaccine and has everything to to do with the the dose schedule.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Just on the upcoming Pfizer vaccinations including second doses in Vic;

• There are currently ( as of the report during the Vic Presser today) 58,000 vacant slots that are available to be booked over the next two weeks for people requiring a second dose of Pfizer.
• This figure is greater than the current number of people requiring second doses within that period for Pfizer who have not yet booked a slot.
• The reminder that people can have (as per ATAGI advice) their second doses at up to 6 weeks was due to some of the unnecessary panic and rumours from some that supply was not available. It also means that people who want to wait greater than 3 weeks to use a particular hub and/or to obtain a particular time slot and/or juggle around flu vaccinations or other needs are free to do so. Evidently some people were wrongly of the belief that they had to get the second dose exactly 3 weeks on, rather than you receive two doses of Comirnaty (Pfizer), at least three weeks apart.
• There has been a recent surge of first doses given of both Pfizer and AZ in Victoria. As Pfizer is in more limited supply that simply has meant that first doses of Pfizer get slowed down temporarily to ensure that every gets their second dose in a timely manner.
• Part of the Pfizer extra temporary increased allocation was as the Feds requested that Victoria take over temporarily some of Federal vaccination delivery responsibility. The other part was due to the Feds wanting to take advantage of the surge in demand in Victoria.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Called this morning to book Pfizer jab #2. Like the first experience for me, a real mix of availability depending on where you can go. Lots of availability at Carlton exhibition building, apparently - booked in for Sunday 27th June. In comparison, couldn't get in at Jeff's shed until late July. Be flexible and you'll get something

edit: oops thought I posted in personal accounts thread

 

[lovetravellingoz]

With Monday being a Public Holiday everywhere except Qld and WA vaccinations were well down on recent weekday figures except in those jurisdictions.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Great news that many us have been eagerly awaiting for, is that in addition to GP's being able to administer vaccines on home visits and at aged care facilities, we are now also going to have further vaccination expansion through the GP and pharmac_ Channels

Some salient points include:

More than 4400 general practices will be able to administer the Pfizer vaccine while another 850 rural and regional clinics and 1000 pharmacies will deliver Moderna injections from October as the vaccine rollout sprints to the end of the year.​

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Subject to supply and approval, about 1000 pharmacies will start putting Moderna vaccines into arms from October.​

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From July, 300 general practices will begin to deliver Pfizer alongside AstraZeneca. That will increase to 650 clinics by the end of the month and then ramp up as supplies increase through August and September, Mr Hunt said.​

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“The current 4400 [GPs] they will have access to Pfizer, the additional 800 GPS and the pharmacies will have access to Moderna on the initial plan,” Mr Hunt said.​

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A spokeswoman for the minister said that would be in addition to state-approved pharmacies in regional areas, which will be able to also deliver AstraZeneca in line with the regional pharmacies in Queensland already doing so.​

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Notable as well

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More than 3900 pharmacies across the country have been deemed suitable for administering vaccines.​

Though all of these may not necessarily be added.​

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Pfizer for GPs, Moderna for rural clinics and pharmacies in plan for vaccine ramp-up

Doctors will also be paid to make home visits for vaccinations to allow the frail and elderly who cannot visit clinics to get immunised and ensure people moving into aged care facilities do not miss out.

www.smh.com.au

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[lovetravellingoz]

Though in mixed news:

Vaccine concerns ease, but only slightly, as 26 per cent say unlikely to get jab​

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Another 26 per cent say they are likely to be vaccinated in the months ahead, signalling a small gain in support for the program after Victorian lockdowns and concerns in other states about COVID-19 spreading in the community.​

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The Resolve Political Monitor, conducted for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age by research company Resolve Strategic, finds majority support for vaccination but highlights the obstacles in signing up the last quarter of adults.​

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“Encouragingly, over the last month we see a significant jump in the number of adult Australians taking up their first vaccine jab and a flow through to new registrations to do so,” said Resolve director Jim Reed​

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“However, we still see 26 per cent of Australians are hesitant to get vaccinated, down from 29 per cent last month, so this has not been greatly shifted by the Victorian outbreak.”​

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Vaccine concerns ease, but only slightly, as 26 per cent say unlikely to get jab

Data shows there is majority support for vaccination among Australians but highlights the obstacles in signing up the final quarter of adults.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Batterytraveller]

Some great quotes in this article.

““I’m also a fairly recent uni grad who has missed out on some really great work and volunteer opportunities …in a really difficult industry as a young woman in STEM. I wanted to know that once other countries started accepting flights again … that I could be one of those people to finally get my foot in the door and not be held back by inefficient government rollouts.”

““I walked into the royal exhibition building hub last month before the boomers started to bother and decided I’d ask nicely if I could have one,” Arnesen said. “They asked why I was there and I admitted I wasn’t eligible but that I’d heard the AstraZeneca vaccines were woefully underused and asked if I could have one if they had sufficient supply.”

“Katie, 23, has received the Pfizer vaccine despite not yet qualifying, and told Guardian Australia: “Rather than getting angry at myself for ‘taking the vaccine from someone eligible’, I was angrier at the way those who were eligible weren’t being supported or informed enough by government bodies to receive it.

‘Queue jumping’: Australians under 40 receiving Covid vaccine despite not being eligible

Some nurses are encouraging younger Australian adults to get vaccinated against coronavirus, even though they don’t meet criteria

www.theguardian.com

 

[justinbrett]

Some great quotes in this article.

““I’m also a fairly recent uni grad who has missed out on some really great work and volunteer opportunities …in a really difficult industry as a young woman in STEM. I wanted to know that once other countries started accepting flights again … that I could be one of those people to finally get my foot in the door and not be held back by inefficient government rollouts.”

““I walked into the royal exhibition building hub last month before the boomers started to bother and decided I’d ask nicely if I could have one,” Arnesen said. “They asked why I was there and I admitted I wasn’t eligible but that I’d heard the AstraZeneca vaccines were woefully underused and asked if I could have one if they had sufficient supply.”

“Katie, 23, has received the Pfizer vaccine despite not yet qualifying, and told Guardian Australia: “Rather than getting angry at myself for ‘taking the vaccine from someone eligible’, I was angrier at the way those who were eligible weren’t being supported or informed enough by government bodies to receive it.

‘Queue jumping’: Australians under 40 receiving Covid vaccine despite not being eligible

Some nurses are encouraging younger Australian adults to get vaccinated against coronavirus, even though they don’t meet criteria

www.theguardian.com

I think the last month or so the governments (both state and federal) have thrown the rollout plan out the door and now it's whatever is going to make the stats look the best.

They aren't even finished with 1b or 2a which includes many under 50s who need Pfizer, and now it's open to the general public between 40-49 which is a big chunk of the population.

Whilst it means we will probably get to the finish line quicker this way, it also means we have people in their 40s with serious health issues not vaccinated.

 

[trevella]

Whilst it means we will probably get to the finish line quicker this way

In a country with basically zero COVID and the pursuit thereof, that's really all that matters.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Being a curious type of person I was just reading up on the best timing of a second dose of Pfizer or AZ.

Note that what is best for the community as a whole, may not be what is best for a particular individual. And what is best for one individual may different than for another individual.

From what I can glean the consensus for Pfizer seems to be:

• Minimum period to get a second dose is 3 weeks after your firt dose.
• Maximum protection is derived if you have your second dose 6-8 weeks later. 8 weeks may be better than 6.
• If you are at significant risk of being infected then having your dose is better at three weeks, as two doses is more effective than one dose and moreso against the Delta Strain.

With AstraZeneca:

• Minimum period to get a second dose is 4 weeks after your first dose.
• Maximum protection is derived if you have your second dose 8 -12 weeks later.
• In Australia they have elected for 12 weeks in part to 'maximise broader community coverage'

So as an example if you were currently living in the UK where Delta Strain Cases are growing rapidly, and where with that particular strain two doses are a lot more effective protection than one dose (moreso than with some earlier strains where one dose often gave very good protection) as an individual you would really want to get your second dose at the minimum period.

In Australia for an individual it probably does not matter with AZ as long as it is in the 8-12 week period. With Pfizer unless you are about to depart the country you may well be better delaying your second dose. Note that virtually everyone is having it at 3 weeks, or very close to it.

However with Pfizer if your second dose was delayed more than 3 weeks it is probably a good thing for most.

 

[jb747]

Amazed to find that Victoria has entered this century. You can (supposedly) now book online. I'm not going to test it by looking, as I'm sure they'll manage to cancel my booking whilst simultaneously issuing a new Myki card.

The booking experience was previously terrible. So bad that I'd expect a very large percentage simply gave up.

 

[Batterytraveller]

Amazed to find that Victoria has entered this century. You can (supposedly) now book online. I'm not going to test it by looking, as I'm sure they'll manage to cancel my booking whilst simultaneously issuing a new Myki card.

The booking experience was previously terrible. So bad that I'd expect a very large percentage simply gave up.

My wife just got a call offering to book her for the second jab, having given trying the phone line and gone for a walk-in for the first jab. We'd already booked but it's good to see that they are finally getting things organised.

I'm still astounded they didn't book the second jab as soon as you checked in for the first one.