The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[lovetravellingoz]

GP wastage of AZ is close to 25% so more GPs isn't the the answer. problem, something else is.

Do you have a source for this (That GPs waste one in four doses)?



And by the way Utilisation Rate does not equal Wastage Rate, so quoting Utilisation rates as wastage rates is incorrect.

“What does utilisation represent? It means simply the difference between what’s been supplied and what’s been used in any one week,” Hunt said.​

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“But that supply is often deliberately running ahead of the expected demand so as they have that, they have the flexibility to increase and to continue to ramp up.”​

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Chris Moy, the Australian Medical Association vice-president, said he believed that vaccine hesitancy was holding back the utilisation rate, along with recent changes made to the program that was requiring some recalibration among GP clinics.​

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So yes at present the utilisation rate of AZ to GPs is on the low side as the supply delivered has been more than the demand.
Key reason being the the AZ hysteria and poor communication by the Feds.



Also note:

• The dose utilisation is calculated based on the total doses administered and a small % wastage in line with international standards in relation to total available doses.​

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[mviy]

If I'd had to wait a month for the vaccine I probably would have tried a different GP clinic, but for one week when there's nearly zero chance of being let out in 3 months anyway, I was fine with going to my local GP for the vaccine.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

And its a false assumption that younger people prefer the GP channel.

Who claimed they do? And why is it relevant?

If people need medical advice they obviously need to see a GP first . Note that "their" GP, just means any GP.


As choice increases people can choose the channel that best suits them.

The people I know mainly choose what is most convenient for themselves, subject availability of the vaccine that they can have. The exception has been those with medical issues., but even then some have seen their GP for advice but been vaccinated elsewhere. Indeed anyone requiring to have Pfizer for medical reasons if not pre-qualified for this has to see a GP first.


I certainly went with the quickest and easiest experience. No queues and free parking within 20m of where I was injected is hard to beat. If I was near a hun I may have used one.

If I was in a country town I would certainly prefer to get vaccinated in my town, rather than have to drive long distance to do so.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I don’t know why we have to have this incessant argument about GP vs State hubs. The more delivery mechanisms the better, Adding in pharmacies is terrific as well. Different people want different options. My 29 years old daughter has a good relationship with her GP and would have preferred to get her jab from her and only went to a respiratory centre because they were slow in getting started. Other people have no preference and go wherever. If a vaccine hesitant person feels reassured after talking to their GP and gets the jab that’s great. If someone wants it quickly and goes to a state hub that’s also great. At the moment supply is a limiting factor, but in October when we are swimming in Pfizer we are going to need every possible channel in order to speed things up.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Vaccinations for Sunday were 54,106.

 

[trevella]

The more delivery mechanisms the better, Adding in pharmacies is terrific as well. Different people want different options.

Thank you. It really is that simple.

 

[Lynda2475]

We dont yet have supply to be expanding Pfizer into GPs and Pharmacies, whilst supply is tight doses are best left with the state hubs, rather than diluted in dribs and drabs.

And why is it relevant?

Its relevant because supply should be distributed to the channels younger people most want to use, not what a bunch of older people think they want to use. You need to make it easy to get a jab, not complicated and inconvenient. By giving more doses to GPs than states, the feds wre preferencing a channel more suitable for the AZ target groups than Pfizer.

 

[mviy]

Some under-40s at Sky News have spoken of their experience getting the jab:

 

[Pushka]

Some under-40s at Sky News have spoken of their experience getting the jab:

Bless the young ones. These stories are what we need to see. And boos to the 60 pluses who refuse it with no medical reason.

 

[jakeseven7]

Vaccinations for Sunday were 54,106.

View attachment 252185View attachment 252186

QLD slips further behind, we will fall into last place soon as I suspect NSW will pass us soon... depressed.

Hardly surprised with our leadership here bordering on anti vaxxer the way they speak...

 

[mviy]

Some good news for you @jakeseven7. The Courier Mail has a news headline "Round the Clock Jabs" on tomorrow's Front Page. "Vaccine clinics could work around the clock to get Covid-19 jabs into most Australian's arms by the end of the year..."

 

[lovetravellingoz]

GP wastage of AZ is close to 25% so more GPs isn't the the answer. problem, something else is.

You have yet to indicate your source for this (That GPs waste one in four doses).

25% is the published utilisation rate, and so I very much doubt that 25% or anywhere near it would be the wastage rate. Indeed the note on the table for all channels states a small % wastage.

We dont yet have supply to be expanding Pfizer into GPs and Pharmacies, whilst supply is tight doses are best left with the state hubs, rather than diluted in dribs and drabs.

You are one out in your view. What even the NSW Gov states:

From July 19, 22 NSW pharmacies will administer vaccines and Ms Berejiklian said the government was having "really solid conversations with pharmac_" to increase those numbers.​

"As we know the work has to happen now so that when the doses arrive there are enough … places for people to go to get the vaccine."​

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Mr Hazzard said said it was "easy to be critical in hindsight" about initial vaccine supplies, but the federal government "did their best" given the issues that emerged with AstraZeneca.​

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He said he would like to see more GPs across the state be able to vaccinate.​

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"I think the focus should be at the moment, and the federal government appears to be doing this, to try to roll out as much vaccine as they have available.​

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"I think at some point we will have to go into a more normalised process of vaccine rollout."​

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There have been more than 2.4 million vaccines doses administered in NSW including almost 1.5 million by the GP network. ​

Its relevant because supply should be distributed to the channels younger people most want to use, not what a bunch of older people think they want to use.

And your source of what these channels are that younger people most to use is? I ask this as reading the posts on this forum by younger posters, reading the various media, and watching the tv interviews very much suggests that younger people do not care what channel they use, they just want access to a vaccine and preferably as soon as possible.

You need to make it easy to get a jab, not complicated and inconvenient.

How can providing a choice of multiple channels not provide the most flexibility and convenience to all, as each can then chose what is best for themselves?

By giving more doses to GPs than states, the feds wre preferencing a channel more suitable for the AZ target groups than Pfizer.

They are 1/ getting ready for when we have more Pfizer doses (see comments from the NSW Gov above) and 2/ are also providing greater geographic spread. ie making it less inconvenient for many to get Pfizer.

 

[Spongbob]

QLD slips further behind, we will fall into last place soon as I suspect NSW will pass us soon...

But it is not a race.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I have a good feeling about the capability of Lieutenant General Frewen, though I also recognise his task involves herding cats as he does not directly control most of those who will be doing the vaccinating.


By Dannielle Maguire

States to get together for vaccine meeting today​

Lieutenant General Frewen gave us a little insight into the meeting that's going to happen today with the states and territories to discuss their vaccine rollouts.

"I've done a review of the national program, and I've formed my opinions on where I think we have opportunities to accelerate the rollout and where I think we've got some areas we need to focus on.

"What is really important about today is now it's bringing in the states and territories and us working in partnership, in conjunction, to look at how they're going to approach each of their own jurisdictions, how it rests with our national plan.
"And as we go around the country today with the states and territories we'll get to understand exactly what the pressure points are for each of the states and territories.

"Where they think their rollout will go particularly quickly, and where some of those areas are where we may need to work together to potentially tailor solutions to help make sure the rates of vaccination do, you know, increase across the country in the most uniform way we can achieve.
"And supply is one of the variables, workforce is clearly another.
"And then it's the motivation of the Australian people to turn up."

People have choice:

"The number I had yesterday was it was almost up to 8,000 people under 40 since the national cabinet and the Prime Minister's announcement around opening up AstraZeneca.

"The demand at the moment is holding up.

"I've said last week I think it's important that people have a choice.

"People have a choice now to wait for later in the year, to access mRNA vaccines, or if their circumstances right now want them to be able to access the vaccine we've got available they can make that informed choice."

 

[bcworld]

I have a good feeling about the capability of Lieutenant General Frewen, though I also recognise his task involves herding cats, as he does not directly control most of those who will be doing the vaccinating.

He needs to consider this:

 

[mviy]

Our military has to be constantly prepared for the possibility of war and with war getting logistics wrong can mean the difference between victory and defeat, so for something on such a grand scale as this vaccine rollout it's entirely appropriate to have their involvement. A soldier doesn't rise to the rank of Lieutenant General without being skilled at prioritising and finding ways to cut through red tape and get things done.

 

[Lynda2475]

I very much doubt that 25% or anywhere near it would be the wastage rate. Indeed the note on the table for all channels states a small % wastage.

Prove it.

It was reported yesterday that Qld is wasting 1 in 10 Pfizer doses and their utilization is 96%. With a utlisation rate as poor as 25% the GP wastage rate will also be much higher. There have been reports of GPs throwing away unused expired AZ and GPs and pharmacies can only store Pfizer for a short period so if not used it has to be discarded vs facilities that can keep at -70 and defrost only when needed fir frim bookings (and a huge wait list to contact if there are cancellations).

And your source of what these channels are that younger people most to use is? I ask this as reading the posts on this forum by younger posters, reading the various media, and watching the tv interviews very much suggests that younger people do not care what channel they use, they just want access to a vaccine and preferably as soon as possible.

In NSW the state hubs are booked out with 40-49s for months in advance, when GPs opened up for Pfizer this week there was no mass cancellation of state hub bookings to go to GP instead. In fact there are still GP bookings available because it is a less popular channel.

And in addition to Olympic Park (and the 25 state run hospital hubs, 19 of which are in rural and regional areas), they are fast tracking the opening of 4 more mass vax clinics in Sydney CBD, Lake Macquarie (Regional), Macquarie Fields (South West Sydney) and Wollongong because the demand for this channel has been overwhelming and working age people find it easiest to access.

The state wouldn't be making this investment in more mass vaccination if it trusted GPs to be able to effectively get all the doses out. They have research that younger people want a facility near where they work, hence the new CBD hub.

Last week the TV was also full of interviews with younger people saying they don't have a GP and saying they would find it easier to go to hub like the 40-49s can. Reports also of under 40s turning up at mass vaccination centres seeking vaccination (despite fact that it was clearly advised they needed to see a GP to get AZ).

The company I work for conducts weekly surveys amongst staff and our clients on various health issues including Covid because 60% of our customers work in health and aged care. The results for "where would you like to get vaccinated" the top 2 responses have consistently been #1 At Work (like they do for flu, but stupidly not an option) and #2 Mass Vax Centre near work. Everyone surveyed is of working age, and mean age is 36.

How can providing a choice of multiple channels not provide the most flexibility and convenience to all, as each can then chose what is best for themselves?

You conveniently ignore where I said now is not the time because "We dont yet have supply to be expanding Pfizer into GPs and Pharmacies". Redirecting supplies from already under supplied hubs in metro areas so you can add small GP practices in metro areas as a channel isn't going to boost roll-out now because we only have the same number of doses, in fact it is going to make it harder for some people to book at hubs.

Except in areas without state hubs or GPRCs (so that excludes all of metro) it is premature to add more channels in metro until supply increases in October.

They are 1/ getting ready for when we have more Pfizer doses (see comments from the NSW Gov above) and 2/ are also providing greater geographic spread. ie making it less inconvenient for many to get Pfizer.

1. GPs know how to give vaccinations, why do they need small amount of Pfizer for 3 months to practice for when decent supplies arrive in October?

2. There is already great coverage in metro areas between the state hubs and commonwealth RCs (that were already giving Pfizer) all of which can be booked fully online.

Adding GPs now would be less of an issue if doses to state hubs weren't being reduced in July and August to allow it. It is stupidity to reduce supply to a very successful and highly popular channel which is also being expanded, to add GPs.

Finally you are not an authority on Covid, your opinion is no more valid than mine.

 

[Lynda2475]

he states and territories to discuss their vaccine rollouts

Hopefully states are successful in clawing back Pfizer supply which has been reduced in July and Agust. State hubs have successfully got Pfizer into more arms than the commonwealth who dragged their heels on Aged Care roll-out and allowing States to mandate that certain workers have to be vaccinated. More Pizer for state hubs now will see the roll-out accelerate.

 

[mviy]

An expectation that Pfizer won’t be available to under 40s till at least September means that I should be fully vaccinated sooner or around the same time as I would have been with Pfizer.

I know people over 70 who are waiting for Pfizer. I’m still not convinced they won‘t open Pfizer up to that cohort next.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Prove it.

It was reported yesterday that Qld is wasting 1 in 10 Pfizer doses and their utilization is 96%. With a utlisation rate as poor as 25% the GP wastage rate will also be much higher. There have been reports of GPs throwing away unused expired AZ and GPs and pharmacies can only store Pfizer for a short period so if not used it has to be discarded vs facilities that can keep at -70 and defrost only when needed fir frim bookings (and a huge wait list to contact if there are cancellations).



In NSW the state hubs are booked out with 40-49s for months in advance, when GPs opened up for Pfizer this week there was no mass cancellation of state hub bookings to go to GP instead. In fact there are still GP bookings available because it is a less popular channel.

And in addition to Olympic Park (and the 25 state run hospital hubs, 19 of which are in rural and regional areas), they are fast tracking the opening of 4 more mass vax clinics in Sydney CBD, Lake Macquarie (Regional), Macquarie Fields (South West Sydney) and Wollongong because the demand for this channel has been overwhelming and working age people find it easiest to access.

The state wouldn't be making this investment in more mass vaccination if it trusted GPs to be able to effectively get all the doses out. They have research that younger people want a facility near where they work, hence the new CBD hub.

Last week the TV was also full of interviews with younger people saying they don't have a GP and saying they would find it easier to go to hub like the 40-49s can. Reports also of under 40s turning up at mass vaccination centres seeking vaccination (despite fact that it was clearly advised they needed to see a GP to get AZ).

The company I work for conducts weekly surveys amongst staff and our clients on various health issues including Covid because 60% of our customers work in health and aged care. The results for "where would you like to get vaccinated" the top 2 responses have consistently been #1 At Work (like they do for flu, but stupidly not an option) and #2 Mass Vax Centre near work. Everyone surveyed is of working age, and mean age is 36.



You conveniently ignore where I said now is not the time because "We dont yet have supply to be expanding Pfizer into GPs and Pharmacies". Redirecting supplies from already under supplied hubs in metro areas so you can add small GP practices in metro areas as a channel isn't going to boost roll-out now because we only have the same number of doses, in fact it is going to make it harder for some people to book at hubs.

Except in areas without state hubs or GPRCs (so that excludes all of metro) it is premature to add more channels in metro until supply increases in October.



1. GPs know how to give vaccinations, why do they need small amount of Pfizer for 3 months to practice for when decent supplies arrive in October?

2. There is already great coverage in metro areas between the state hubs and commonwealth RCs (that were already giving Pfizer) all of which can be booked fully online.

Adding GPs now would be less of an issue if doses to state hubs weren't being reduced in July and August to allow it. It is stupidity to reduce supply to a very successful and highly popular channel which is also being expanded, to add GPs.

Finally you are not an authority on Covid, your opinion is no more valid than mine.

So I will take from that that you actually have no source for your claim that GPs were wasting 1 in 4 doses, as otherwise you would have posted it by now.