The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[lovetravellingoz]

It was my understanding that Australia is funding doses under Covax for distribution in poorer nation not that we are receiving doses from Covax for use in Australia. Its good if Im wrong, but to date Covax has been distributing vaccines in Africa.

Covax was always to be used to vaccinate Australians, as well as contributing to other countries..

Australia Now Eligible to Purchase COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Through COVAX​

The Australian Government has joined the COVAX facility, enabling the purchase of COVID-19 vaccine doses as they become available.​

​

The Hon Greg Hunt MP​

Minister for Health and Aged Care​

Date published: ​

23 September 2020​

Media type: ​

Media release​

​

The Australian Government has joined the COVAX facility, enabling the purchase of COVID-19 vaccine doses as they become available.​

​

The COVAX facility provides access to a large portfolio of COVID-19 vaccine candidates and manufacturers across the world.​

​

This agreement opens up additional supplies for Australia, from which we could access vaccines for up to 50 per cent of our population under a two dose treatment requirement.​

​

“Being a part of COVAX means we’re giving Australians the best chance of accessing a safe and effective vaccine, but also our neighbours in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, and partners overseas,” Minister Hunt said.​

 

[Lynda2475]

Hmm if they raise Pfizer to 60+ that could delay younger age groups getting Pfizer. Opening up Pfizer to people in their 50s would surely see a temporary surge in demand for Pfizer from those who are currently eligible to be vaccinated. This would mean a longer wait for those of us still ineligible.

Perhaps. Depends whether they raise the age for all over 60s, or just allow over 60s to choose Pfizer. The former will be a massive jump, the later lesser so.

many people prefer that Channel and preferred to wait till their GP could vaccinate them.

So they have chosen to wait, the supply hasn't be constrained, only the distribution to some of the GP channel was. There are health services that offer drivers to take infirmed to medial appointments, GPRCs are plentiful and have offered the convenience of online bookings from the start, something that many GP practices do not.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

My understanding is we are receiving 500k doses of Pfizer from Covax

More than that in total. The first allocation of this is 500,000 doses, and given what Greg Hunt said should probably be in Australia now.

Hunt 6 June​

But in addition, we will be receiving in the coming week 500,000 doses from the COVAX facility of Pfizer. That’s now been confirmed, and that goes into our ability to do this, and to support states and territories, and general practices going forward..​

But just on overall Pfizer supply.

Mr Hunt said about 4.5 million Pfizer doses were expected in Australia by the end of June, rising to seven million doses of Pfizer in both the third and fourth quarters of 2021. ​

​

As previously announced, another 20 million doses would arrive in the last quarter.​

 

[OZDUCK]

Latest from the ABC makes it seem certain that the use of AstraZeneca will be restricted to over 60's.

AstraZeneca COVID vaccine only recommended for over 60s following death of 52yo Australian

The AstraZeneca vaccine will now only be recommended for use in people aged 60 and over, after the federal government accepted new advice from the country's vaccine experts.

www.abc.net.au

 

[mviy]

Hmmm that seems to suggest I will be waiting a while to get vaccinated. I had hoped even in Vic they'd open up to the next age groups in 2B in the not too distant future.

I expect there will be plenty of people in their 50s yet to have their first dose that will snap up Pfizer appointments meaning they see no need to open up to younger age groups for a while yet.

Though if travel to the UK is not permitted a delay in getting vaccinated won't mean a lot. I just want to avoid the situation where the only reason I can't travel to the UK at the end of the year is not having got vaccinated in time when I was willing to get vaccinated months ago, just not eligible.

 

[Pushka]

Hmmm that seems to suggest I will be waiting a while to get vaccinated. I had hoped even in Vic they'd open up to the next age groups in 2B in the not too distant future.

I expect there will be plenty of people in their 50s yet to have their first dose that will snap up Pfizer appointments meaning they see no need to open up to younger age groups for a while yet.

Though if travel to the UK is not permitted a delay in getting vaccinated won't mean a lot. I just want to avoid the situation where the only reason I can't travel to the UK at the end of the year is not having got vaccinated in time when I was willing to get vaccinated months ago, just not eligible.

The only thing I can say to help you out is that at least people will be fully vaccinated faster. And while the Govt refuses to give fully vaccinated people any leeway then by end of year you will likely be at the same place as the rest of us.

 

[jakeseven7]

Many GP Practices were constrained at 50 doses per week, and many more could not get any doses.

It was very constrained to the GP Channel and many people prefer that Channel and preferred to wait till their GP could vaccinate them.

Plus there are the infirm and others who do not want to, or cannot get to the State Run Hubs, or even to the GP run Respiratory Clinics.

Primary care clinics are STILL supply constrained with AZ.... many are still getting only 150 a week and because of vial utilisation can only offer vaccines one day a week. It’s crazy....

 

[jakeseven7]

That makes zero sense, how does having Pfizer on hand, make it easer for GPs to convince people to get AZ?? It makes it harder because people know they can use discretion without the strict rules of the mass vac centres.

It wont free up Pfizer, it will make it more likely that people will pressure or leverage the relationship they have with the GP to get Pfizer when they aren't really eligible, leaving less doses for those who are eligible. Also the short term storage ability, means to avoid wastage they will give to anyone who is available.

What a surprise it makes no sense to you given your clear feelings about primary care in Australia...

I thought it was pretty clear..... but here we go again...GPs are very good at making sure that people are given the correct medication as indicated or recommended by guidelines.

By having all vaccines available in primary care as thousands of mini hubs around the country, they can calmly explain to the vaccine shoppers why they should be getting the recommended brand for their age rather than soaking up the other brand which should be used for other age cohorts. People need to hear this from medical professionals given the lack of proper communication from all our levels of government...

Suggesting that patients will pressure influence their physicians into administering them medication that is not following guidelines is pretty out there, I’m sure some will try but doubt many will be listened to. Perhaps your own GP is a pushover... but that’s not a representative sample of our primary care workforce...

Anyway thankfully no one is listening to people who hold the same views as you and primary care and pharmacists will all be doing all vaccines alongside hubs.

If you don’t want to use that channel then good for you. Many do.

 

[Lynda2475]

your clear feelings about primary care in Australia

You know nothing of my opinion of Primary Care except in relation to vaccination roll-out where I feel it is a less than optimal channel for most people.

they can calmly explain to the vaccine shoppers why they should be getting the recommended brand for their age rather than soaking up the other brand which should be used for other age cohorts

Having an alternative vaccine on hand makes zero difference to the ability to have this conversation. A person seeking advice form a GP does not need to see that the GP has Pfizer in a fridge to be convinced to choose AZ, in fact showing people something they cant have isn't going to make them want it less.

The conversation about which vaccine to get can be had now (GPs can refer for Pfizer if its medically indicated), however the conversation is clearly not proving effective, as many are choosing to wait. And if ATAGI change the guidelines today as is being predicted, those 60-69s who waited will feel validated.

 

[jakeseven7]

Having an alternative vaccine on hand makes zero difference to the ability to have this conversation. A person seeking advice form a GP does not need to see that the GP has Pfizer in a fridge to be convinced to choose AZ, in fact showing people something they cant have isn't going to make them want it less.

The conversation about which vaccine to get can be had now (GPs can refer for Pfizer if its medically indicated), however the conversation is clearly not proving effective, as many are choosing to wait. And if ATAGI change the guidelines today as is being predicted, those 60-69s who waited will feel validated.

That’s your opinion I guess but working in healthcare I disagree, again, with your understanding of the way things work in practice... but you do you. Leaving this now.

 

[drron]

Quite frankly GPs should have been supplied with Pfizer as soon as vaccination was opened up for group 2.I am really tired of people living in larger cities forgetting about regional Australia.Many are a long way from a mass vaccination centre whist their GPs are relatively close.

Two million people aged 50-69 live in regional Australia and 21 regions are experiencing accelerated rates of ageing.
More Australians aged 25-44 are moving from cities to regional areas than vice versa.

Population - Regional Australia Institute

Population DynamicsThe population situation in regional Australia is widely misunderstood. Regional Australia’s population is diverse, …

www.regionalaustralia.org.au

GPS have been vaccinating people successfully for years.Particularly annual flu injections.The majority of these vaccinations are done by GPs.

 

[Lynda2475]

As Im sure you are aware in NSW bulk of the Pfizer mass vac hubs are actually Regional (14/25) with a further 3 outside of Greater Sydney (John Hunter, Wollongong and Gosford), only 8 are in Greater Sydney.

 

[astrosly]

As Im sure you are aware in NSW bulk of the Pfizer mass vac hubs are actually Regional (14/25) with a further 3 outside of Greater Sydney (John Hunter, Wollongong and Gosford), only 8 are in Greater Sydney.

View attachment 250589

You should be aware that they only opened up in the last couple of weeks or so, and some not till later this month. None of them are in my city.

 

[Lynda2475]

you should be aware that they only opened up in the last couple of weeks or so.

Same can be said for the majority of the Sydney Metro ones. Until recently majority of those sites were for 1a and 1b only, public access for some only in the last week.

In is sensible to target the most at risk populations first, but given bulk of mass vac centers are in the regions, its not fair to say regions have been totally forgotten.

We know there have been mobile clinics visiting other regional and remote areas (this is why SA is allowing anyone in those places to get vaccinated irrespective of age, so they dont have to return later). This approach of coming to town at a central point for a few weeks creates a buzz and sense of urgency.

Some towns dont have a GP either.

People are waiting everywhere, plenty in metro not able to get an appointment yet too.

 

[astrosly]

Quite frankly GPs should have been supplied with Pfizer as soon as vaccination was opened up for group 2.I am really tired of people living in larger cities forgetting about regional Australia.Many are a long way from a mass vaccination centre whist their GPs are relatively close.

Thank you @drron. My bolding, I got my first jab a week ago and only because I was on holiday in a larger city where I had both the time and location to have it.

 

[trevella]

LOL "Operation Covid Shield"... do we need to change the title of this thread?

 

[drron]

Those are large regional centres.I note nothing for Broken Hill.Dubbo is one long drive away.Plus all the towns west of Dubbo.
Then it is worse in QLD and WA.
Then even in Tasmania the west Coast is a fair drive from Burnie or Hobart but they do have GPs.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

From ABC news.​

Federal government accepts health advice that Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for anyone under 60​

Health authorities have changed their advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine, with Pfizer now the preferred vaccine for anyone under 60 years of age.

Under previous advice, Pfizer was only the preferred vaccine for people under 50.

It is strongly recommended those under 60 who have received one dose of AstraZeneca receive their second dose of that same vaccine.

Pfizer doses will immediately be made available to anyone aged between 40 and 59.

Health Minister Greg Hunt says the country remains on track to provide a vaccine dose to every Australian who wants one by the end of 2021.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Hunt has also said they will have access to 2.8 million doses of Pfizer in July, which is much higher than anticipated

 

[burmans]

Hunt has also said they will have access to 2.8 million doses of Pfizer in July, which is much higher than anticipated

Good rollout news for once!