The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[Batterytraveller]

If there is one bright spot in this whole debacle, at least we can ship our unwanted vaccines to countries that will make good use of them. None of us is truly vaccinated until we all are vaccinated.

 

[Pushka]

If there is one bright spot in this whole debacle, at least we can ship our unwanted vaccines to countries that will make good use of them. None of us is truly vaccinated until we all are vaccinated.

We can only hope that's the case and not sit on them until they expire.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We can only hope that's the case and not sit on them until they expire.

I hope not! We are already sending to PNG and Fiji so hopefully can expand that and to other neighbours. Aus will still need the reserves as there will be a lot of second vaccinations to still be done and surely not all over 60s are resistant! I know a few who are scheduled for AZ vaccinations in the coming weeks.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Doses given on Friday 18th dropped about another ten thousand.

 

[JB expat]

Im not at all concerned getting my second AZ shortly even though I’m now 30 years off the ‘enhanced’ guidelines Millions in the UK managed it just fine...

same with me - I'm older than you though but not in the "safe" group - had my 2nd AZ today and am so pleased to be fully vaccinated.

 

[Flying mermaid]

same with me - I'm older than you though but not in the "safe" group - had my 2nd AZ today and am so pleased to be fully vaccinated.

29 year old daughter and 31 year old son in law had their second AZ today

 

[Batterytraveller]

Some age breakdown in this article, depressingly low numbers across eligible age groups, although the 40-50s making a good showing despite only being eligible for a few weeks

‘Professor Sutton also revealed new first-dose appointments for Pfizer will be opened up in Victoria again next week.

He said 27 per cent of Victorians aged in their 40s had received at least one dose of the vaccine, with 45 per cent of those in their 50s having at least their first jab, and 56 per cent for those over 70.’

Virus ‘absolutely still out there’ as Victoria records one new COVID-19 case

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he was “optimistic” the state was on the right track for more easing of restrictions next week, but said health officials needed time to assess the effect of loosened restrictions.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Pushka]

We had our regular Uni day catch up dinner last night of 11 people. A mix of Doctors, Registered Nurses, Physios, Psychologists, Accountants. Most of us had completed the Vaccination or about to do so. One who works at RAH had Pfizer, the rest AZ. No issues at all with anyone in having any dose although obviously for some the second AZ hasn't passed the 28 day test. But each of them had stories of friends who were unsure.

All 60+, one just had her 60th birthday but was still happy to get AZ.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We had our regular Uni day catch up dinner last night of 11 people. A mix of Doctors, Registered Nurses, Physios, Psychologists, Accountants. Most of us had completed the Vaccination or about to do so. One who works at RAH had Pfizer, the rest AZ. No issues at all with anyone in having any dose although obviously for some the second AZ hasn't passed the 28 day test. But each of them had stories of friends who were unsure.

All 60+, one just had her 60th birthday but was still happy to get AZ.

I had this hope that as people knew other people who were vaccinated without issue it would reassure the waverers. Certainly hasn’t happened with one of my friends - in spite of knowing multiple people who had safely had AZ including our daughter and SIL who were totally in the risk zone, it still wasn’t enough. Fortunately he is happy to have Pfizer and registered with ACT Health within a few hours of the announcement.

 

[Pushka]

I had this hope that as people knew other people who were vaccinated without issue it would reassure the waverers. Certainly hasn’t happened with one of my friends - in spite of knowing multiple people who had safely had AZ including our daughter and SIL who were totally in the risk zone, it still wasn’t enough. Fortunately he is happy to have Pfizer and registered with ACT Health within a few hours of the announcement.

Given that we, at our age, heard our parents talk of friends and family who developed Polio, (friends mother wore a caliper until her death a couple of years ago, and in my case, an Aunt who had diptheria and as a teen spent weeks in an infectious diseases hospital), we actually have knowledge and have seen how vaccinations save lives and prevents permanent damage. For the life of me I don't understand the reluctance of our age group to protect themselves.

And this week other son (30's) is having Pfizer. He found time

 

[lovetravellingoz]

In a joint Vic Gov/Monash/Doherty today a Phase 1 Clinical trial has been announced for a locally developed mRNA Vaccine. Anticipated to begin in Oct/Nov 2021 (note Professor Bolton said Oct/Nov, media release states Oct).

Professor Poulton during the press conference said that the upskilling of Victorian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers is also now to be undertaken to permit local manufacture.

This new announcement follows on from the the earlier announcements made on fostering both research and local manufacture of vaccine candidates.




From the Media Release:

Victoria has developed and will make Australia’s first local mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate to reach Phase 1 clinical trials – a breakthrough in medicine and manufacturing that will create jobs and save lives.​

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The Victorian Government confirmed today that it would invest $5 million to support Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) to manufacture doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for trials, which are due to start within months.​

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The novel mRNA-based vaccine will enable a Victorian manufacturer to develop critical manufacturing capability of mRNA vaccines for clinical trials – a level of expertise currently unavailable in Australia.​

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The investment is the first to be made from the Victorian Government’s landmark $50 million fund to develop the state’s mRNA manufacturing capability.​

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The collaboration between MIPS and the Doherty Institute reinforces the strong mRNA sector in Victoria and means we are leading the national charge to develop mRNA manufacturing capability.​

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The MIPS candidate is Australia’s leading mRNA vaccine candidate, delivering next-generation vaccine support for ongoing COVID protection and future pandemics, and research capabilities for new drug and medical research breakthroughs.​

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The MIPS vaccine has previously received $3 million from the Medical Research Future Fund to cover the costs of the Phase 1 clinical trial.​

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The development of mRNA capability is revolutionising medical research globally and has the capacity for broad-based application in HIV, cancer and other treatments.​

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Some 150 people will be involved in the clinical trials that are due to begin in October, with preliminary results expected to be available in the first half of 2022.​

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mRNA Victoria’s Scientific Advisory Group, led by Victoria’s Lead Scientist Dr Amanda Caples and including American luminary Dr Barney Graham and eminent Victorian infectious disease experts such as professor Sharon Lewin (Doherty Institute) and Professor Brendan Crabb (Burnet Institute), endorsed the Monash investment.​

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As stated by Acting Premier James Merlino​

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“Making COVID vaccines in Victoria will create jobs and save lives – and it’s exciting these trials will be getting underway soon.”​

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https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-06/210620%20-%20Breakthrough-Victoria%20Closer%20To%20Manufacturing%20Vaccine.pdf?utm_source=miragenews&utm_medium=miragenews&utm_campaign=news

 

[mviy]

A key advantage of a home grown vaccine is no licensing concerns and potentially if the vaccine is good enough and produced in large enough quantities it could be exported wherever it is commercial to do so.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Doses given on Sat 19h June. 64,553 doses all up. By comparison, doses on the last three Saturdays were: 60,822, 87,745 and 57,952.

 

[ethernet]

Some age breakdown in this article, depressingly low numbers across eligible age groups, although the 40-50s making a good showing despite only being eligible for a few weeks

‘Professor Sutton also revealed new first-dose appointments for Pfizer will be opened up in Victoria again next week.

He said 27 per cent of Victorians aged in their 40s had received at least one dose of the vaccine, with 45 per cent of those in their 50s having at least their first jab, and 56 per cent for those over 70.’

Virus ‘absolutely still out there’ as Victoria records one new COVID-19 case

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he was “optimistic” the state was on the right track for more easing of restrictions next week, but said health officials needed time to assess the effect of loosened restrictions.

www.theage.com.au

56% for over 70's is an 'F' Maybe an F- because did we not just have a 'blitz'. I look at Canada in the ABC's how we are going charts, and they are ballistic., and sadly Israel running out of puff at 64%.
Those who elect to bypass this opportunily, need to know the writing is on the wall, and borders will open irrespective of 'non-participants' hereafter called 'sitting ducks'.

 

[mviy]

Those who elect to bypass this opportunily, need to know the writing is on the wall, and borders will open irrespective of 'non-participants' hereafter called 'sitting ducks'.

That could happen when there is enough supply to vaccinate everyone left within a few months. Give a few months warning and then open up. We will see.

 

[Batterytraveller]

This rollout is an absolute shambles. Maybe I read/watch/listen to the wrong media or pass by the wrong billboards but have not seen a single advert advising people to get vaccinated. No communications beyond press conferences and the news. I’ve seen (and reported) more vaccine misinformation than information and I’m more likely to get a letter from Clive Palmer than the department of health.

Now we have people who’ve already had a first dose, worried and cancelling their second dose and this is as much to do with the complete lack of public information. The get vaccinated message should be in every commercial break.

Australians who skip second AstraZeneca vaccine are ‘almost wasting’ first dose, AMA warns

National cabinet will meet on Monday to discuss the Covid vaccine rollout amid the changed advice

www.theguardian.com

 

[jakeseven7]

The emergency National Cabinet Meeting today on the failed vaccine rollout will be interesting.

VIC just went live on TV and called the Feds out for failing to supply their second doses of Pfizer, ahead of the meeting. What a mess....

 

[JB expat]

For what it is worth (for anyone who has been or is in the process of getting vaccinated) - I checked My Immunizations via the MyGov website within hours following my 2nd AZ. It ONLY showed my 2nd and not my 1st and had a bold statement on top that I was NOT fully immunized re: COVID. I called the clinic that gave me both vaccinations and, after looking me up, told me that while it showed I attended the appointment for my 1st shot, it did not have me "ticked" as actually receiving it. They are correcting it - but worth checking. I am hoping to be an early adopter of any travel policy allowing fully vaccinated people to travel overseas without hotel quarantine (I remain stubbornly optimistic). My vaccination status is not something that I want to be dealing with when it is time to book - better to be dealt with now. And for those people watching the statistics - this means that I wouldn't have shown up in the numbers for those who had only 1 shot...as soon as the clinic properly inputs my info, I will be added to the those who are fully immunized. I do wonder how many people check that their vaccine status has been properly recorded in the government's records.

 

[JB expat]

That could happen when there is enough supply to vaccinate everyone left within a few months. Give a few months warning and then open up. We will see.

They need to be given the warning now so that when there is a full supply, they have very limited time to get on board with the program (literally). I do not want to wait for the procrastinators -let them deal with the risk. Adding as I have said before, yes, I agree that the opportunity to get the vaccine has to be there before such an approach makes sense. But warnings need to be given now.

 

[Lynda2475]

IC just went live on TV and called the Feds out for failing to supply their second doses of Pfizer, ahead of the meeting. What a mess....

They also need to take some responsibility for not properly managing their doses by allowing walk-ins and first shots without booking second doses at the same time, so they accurately knew what they needed 3 weeks out.

Vic got a temporary boost for 3 weeks (more supply than any other states even NSW who has a larger population and is desperate for more Pfizer), it was clearly communicated as a temporary increase, so they needed to plan for when supply reverted to the usual levels.

NSW Premier indicated over the weekend she will be tabling that NSW needs more Pfizer doses due to higher risk in NSW due to current delta cases and the size of arrivals program (which dwarves Victoria's).

Whilst ever the supply is limited, allocation should be based on demographics of the population and proportionately allocating supply.