The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[mviy]

It has just been officially reported that 2600 odd Australians under 40 have in the last 2 days have been vaccinated with AZ

That’s a good start. Hopefully that number grows a lot. A lot of GP practices wouldn’t do AZ jabs every day and may be already fully booked for this week.

 

[Lynda2475]

Hope your jab went well! Did you get a lollipop??!

Jab was fine, super efficient. No lollipops, only a leaflet.

 

[jakeseven7]

Jab was fine, super efficient. No lollipops, only a leaflet.

Good on you

 

[Lynda2475]

why is it I can walk into a PriceLine right now and get my flu shot, be in and out in like 20 minutes.

Well the flu vaccine is the anomaly not the norm. For all other vaccines given to adults you need a prescription and most also have post observation periods too like the covid jab.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well the flu vaccine is the anomaly not the norm. For all other vaccines you need a prescription and most also have post observation periods too like the covid jab

Under National Immunisation Program there is a long list of vaccinations that do not need a prescription..

​

Many vaccines are administered at schools and family health clinics. No prescriptions.

National Immunisation Program Schedule

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule is a series of immunisations given at specific times throughout your life. The immunisations range from birth through to adulthood.

www.health.gov.au

 

[Lynda2475]

there is a long list of vaccinations that do not need a prescription

Every vaccination I have had as an adult (except flu and now Covid) has required a GP visit and paperwork.

You cant just rock up to Chemist Warehouse or Priceline as the OP wants and expect that will have a nurse on hand to give you what ever vaccine you are due to have. The pharmac_ also wont just sell you vaccines.

The GP practice I go to is also a travel clinic so they keep a wide variety of vaccines on site, but i know at many suburban GP practices it isn't uncommon for GP to give you a prescription to go and get the vaccine needed from the chemist and bring it back to have it administered. Whilst most would have Tetanus shots on hand, few would have the Yellow Fever vaccines in their mini fridge.

Unless you are a child or teacher you arent going to a school, and if you dont have kids aren't going to family clinic. Apart form Flu shots which are easiest to get at your workplace, most adults have to see a GP to get vaccinated.

 

[Lynda2475]

At todays NSW Presser even more mass vax centre announcements from Gladys

"The New South Wales Government will also be opening up a mass vaccination centre in the Illawarra in Wollongong, but also one in south-west Sydney in Macquarie Fields which is really important. We will also be having a major additional hub in the Sydney CBD."

Surprised its taken this long to get a CBD hub - so a convenient location to get workers and also many uni students.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

And yes Pharmacists in Australia do administer a number of vaccines beyond the Flu shots. Some are now also doing AZ and quite probably will later do other Covid vaccines as well.

ie

 

[serfty]

This is the problem, there's so many metrics, you can find one to match your point!

Of course you can.

One obvious in all of this is the anti Government media were using the "total Jabs" statistic in their endeavours to skewer the Government.

When that figure became "inconveniently" high (now 30%) the "Fully Vaccinated" statistic became the weapon of choice - 3 weeks ago it was 2%.

Now this is approaching 8% I wonder what will be used next?

 

[RAM]

So people who get TTS are somehow more important than other people? Please explain

And the total people hospitalised/dead from vaccinations are not as important as the people who will be so from either the flu or covid once we open up?

Even ignoring that younger people do get hospitalised and die from the flu, the sheer likely number of combined deaths and hospitalisations once we open up again will dwarf the number of adverse events from our entire vaccination program.

Following your logic then Australia should never open up .

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Every vaccination I have had as an adult (except flu and now Covid) has required a GP visit and paperwork.

You cant just rock up to Chemist Warehouse or Priceline as the OP wants and expect that will have a nurse on hand to give you what ever vaccine you are due to have. The pharmac_ also wont just sell you vaccines.

The GP practice I go to is also a travel clinic so they keep a wide variety of vaccines on site, but i know at many suburban GP practices it isn't uncommon for GP to give you a prescription to go and get the vaccine needed from the chemist and bring it back to have it administered. Whilst most would have Tetanus shots on hand, few would have the Yellow Fever vaccines in their mini fridge.

Unless you are a child or teacher you arent going to a school, and if you dont have kids aren't going to family clinic. Apart form Flu shots which are easiest to get at your workplace, most adults have to see a GP to get vaccinated.

LOL. I replied to your post that you have since edited. Now you selectively quote me back not to what I was replying to you about.

However your post is still not accurate.



This was your first original incorrect post (that you edited after my reply) that I replied to.

 

[Lynda2475]

NSW is different:

"NSW pharmacists who have undertaken appropriate training are able to administer privately funded diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines to people aged 16 years and over and can administer privately funded influenza vaccine to people aged 10 years and over."

So 3 vaccines and only if you pay for them. If you are entitled to a free Medicare funded MMR booster you have to go to GP.

A GP visit is required for the bulk of adult vaccinations.

You can keep nit picking, but the OP wants to be able to walk into a pharmac_ to get vaccines on demand without a Medicare card, without filling in forms or making an appointment. This is not the norm in Australia, nor should it be.

 

[justinbrett]

Ironically AP proudly said there's plenty of Pfizer/Moderna coming and we'll be swimming in vaccines come October

So... not a complete bungle then?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

You can keep nit picking, but the OP wants to be able to walk into a pharmac_ to get vaccines on demand without a Medicare card, without filling in forms or making an appointment. This is not the norm in Australia, nor should it be.

He was comparing the process to getting a flu shot at the a pharmac_. You need a Medicare number to get a flu shot at a pharmac_ and you fill in a form. I have used this channel for many tears and know the process.


Despite your commentary on state vaccination hubs being the only way to go GPs. Pharmacists and other channels can also be used safely and efficiently. Pharmacists have a long record of safely and efficiently delivery many different vaccines.

 

[RAM]

I think the QLD government has done a great deal of damage just now, it is really upsetting.

Federal Government statements after the National Cabinet meeting implied that National Cabinet had (discussed &) approved giving AZ to under 60s. Even NSW will not countenance that.

Yesterday Gladys Berejiklian avoided answering 4 times to say 'Yes' Qld was correct, National Cabinet did not discuss expanding AZ access to below 60s. Finally after the 5th question Gladys stated that no NSW Govt run vaccination facility would provide AZ to anyone under the age of 60, those who want it must go to a GP (as they're now indemnified by the Federal Govt). It was later confirmed that it was neither discussed nor agreed to by National Cabinet.

There is a crucial logic break with much of the conversation about giving AZ to under 60s. Or is it hypocracy?

Recent reports have indicated GPs are keen to give AstraZeneca to under-60s who are willing to receive it – especially as thousands of doses will soon expire – but they have been concerned about potential legal liabilities in the face of an adverse reaction.

Taken as written, it suggests some GPs are happy for individuals to take the risk of adverse reactions potentially (although very low probability) leading to their death but GPs are not willing to assume same low probability of the financial risk of providing the advice to reassure that individual.

If a GP is not prepared to take a financial risk over their advice reassuring someone enough to go against the ATAGI recommendation then why should individuals bet with their life?

newsGP - National Cabinet announces no-fault indemnity scheme for GPs to administer AstraZeneca

The move opens the door for under-60s to receive the vaccine as the country looks to speed up the rollout amid a potential national outbreak.

www1.racgp.org.au

Seems many more GPs (who have responded to the RACGP) agree with ATAGI not the Fed Govt.

The indemnity agreed to by National Cabinet is not AZ specific despite how it was announced but is what was proposed by the AMA back in January and is a no-fault indemnity scheme for GPs.

AMA proposal for vaccine indemnity adopted by National Cabinet

New measures from national cabinet help combat COVID19, AMA says The introduction of a no-fault indemnity scheme for GPs and vaccine providers, proposed by the AMA, is welcome news and will give GPs more confidence providing vaccines, and peace of mind to patients, the AMA said today. This and...

www.ama.com.au

“For such a scheme to be effective and fair, we knew it needed to cover all vaccines, administered to all age groups and be applied retrospectively, so we are really pleased the government has taken this on board."

The greatest victim throughout this CV period within Australia has been honesty & transparency IMHO.

 

[Lynda2475]

You need a Medicare number to get a flu shot at a pharmac_

Well apparently not since the OP doesn't have a Medicare account but was able to get a flu shot at a pharmac_.

 

[jakeseven7]

Well apparently not since the OP doesn't have a Medicare account but was able to get a flu shot at a pharmac_.

Correct - you don’t need a Medicare number to get a flu shot

 

[dajop]

I have used this channel for many tears and know the process.

If it is causing you so much grief, maybe should consider using another channel? (sorry, I couldn't resist commenting on your typo)

 

[Flying mermaid]

Vaccinations yesterday definitely saw a boost - 161,390 and the weekly running total is back over 800,000.

 

[justinbrett]

Federal Government statements after the National Cabinet meeting implied that National Cabinet had (discussed &) approved giving AZ to under 60s. Even NSW will not countenance that.

Yesterday Gladys Berejiklian avoided answering 4 times to say 'Yes' Qld was correct, National Cabinet did not discuss expanding AZ access to below 60s. Finally after the 5th question Gladys stated that no NSW Govt run vaccination facility would provide AZ to anyone under the age of 60, those who want it must go to a GP (as they're now indemnified by the Federal Govt). It was later confirmed that it was neither discussed nor agreed to by National Cabinet.

There is a crucial logic break with much of the conversation about giving AZ to under 60s. Or is it hypocracy?

Recent reports have indicated GPs are keen to give AstraZeneca to under-60s who are willing to receive it – especially as thousands of doses will soon expire – but they have been concerned about potential legal liabilities in the face of an adverse reaction.

Taken as written, it suggests some GPs are happy for individuals to take the risk of adverse reactions potentially (although very low probability) leading to their death but GPs are not willing to assume same low probability of the financial risk of providing the advice to reassure that individual.

If a GP is not prepared to take a financial risk over their advice reassuring someone enough to go against the ATAGI recommendation then why should individuals bet with their life?

newsGP - National Cabinet announces no-fault indemnity scheme for GPs to administer AstraZeneca

The move opens the door for under-60s to receive the vaccine as the country looks to speed up the rollout amid a potential national outbreak.

www1.racgp.org.au

Seems many more GPs (who have responded to the RACGP) agree with ATAGI not the Fed Govt.

The indemnity agreed to by National Cabinet is not AZ specific despite how it was announced but is what was proposed by the AMA back in January and is a no-fault indemnity scheme for GPs.

AMA proposal for vaccine indemnity adopted by National Cabinet

New measures from national cabinet help combat COVID19, AMA says The introduction of a no-fault indemnity scheme for GPs and vaccine providers, proposed by the AMA, is welcome news and will give GPs more confidence providing vaccines, and peace of mind to patients, the AMA said today. This and...

www.ama.com.au

“For such a scheme to be effective and fair, we knew it needed to cover all vaccines, administered to all age groups and be applied retrospectively, so we are really pleased the government has taken this on board."

The greatest victim throughout this CV period within Australia has been honesty & transparency IMHO.

Words matter.

Suggest you actually review what the PM and NSW said. He virtually read the ATAGI advice word for word - he didn't advocate for under 60s getting AZ, but explained if they wanted it, what the process was.

QLD outright said don't get the AZ if you're under 40. They've said that again today.

NSW again virtually read the ATAGI advice. They explained because of the GP requirement, NSW hubs would not accommodate under 40s for AZ, because they can't provide that service. Today Kerry Chant was even more clear that if you want AZ, go see your GP, her opinion doesn't matter.

National Cabinet should not be making a decision to give AZ to under 40s because it's not a political decision
ATAGI has already made the decision and outlined the process of how that occurs

It's an individual opt-in decision, it's not the default advice, so if you don't like it, don't get it. Others will make that choice.