The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[jb747]

I doubt that you'll ever get 75% in Oz. Too many don't want to, for whatever reason, and don't care a hoot how that affects the country overall. So, once everyone has been offered their chance you can either let the virus rip...and it will soon sort out that 25%, one way or the other, or give them incentive in the form of their own personal, permanent, quarantine....

 

[burmans]

This can be observed at some point in time after the unrestricted supply of the vaccine outstrips demand... and at that point, whether we have hit 60% or the 75, 80, 85% level, or not, is kind of irrelevant - if the percentage left doesn't want to take a vaccine, then it ain't going to get any higher (although opening up itself, may make some of those hesitant, go get a jab).

Not to labour the point but not everyone in the current cohort of people who have decided not to vaccinate now are anti-vaxxers. As the UK has clearly shown there is a lot you can actually do to remove that hesitancy and get the jab.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Not sure when it was created but only recently posted and half a million views!

It’s an Aussie version of an American one that was doing the rounds last year. Maybe we need them to do a vaccination version

 

[Flying mermaid]

I doubt that you'll ever get 75% in Oz. Too many don't want to, for whatever reason, and don't care a hoot how that affects the country overall. So, once everyone has been offered their chance you can either let the virus rip...and it will soon sort out that 25%, one way or the other, or give them incentive in the form of their own personal, permanent, quarantine....

Unfortunately it will also rip through children and those unable to be vaccinated….

Anyway being my usual Pollyanna self, I think we will get over 75% of the adult population. We are at 33.4 with a first jab already and that’s without it being offered to most under 40s and with supply still limited. Once everyone who wants can get a jab and a bit of a sticks and carrots campaign and I think the % will be much higher.

 

[mviy]

33.31% of those 16+ have had their first dose. Probably when figures come out for today’s jabs tomorrow we’ll pass one third of 16+ having had a first dose.

73.34% of 70+ have had their first dose and 25.38% (over 1 quarter of 70+ population) have had both doses.

These numbers are heading in the right direction. In a few months we should have much better second dose figures.

 

[burmans]

It’s an Aussie version of an American one that was doing the rounds last year. Maybe we need them to do a vaccination version

Pretty much what I was thinking, would appeal to many (more than our government ads).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Although there is a lot of variation amongst “westerners”. My observations (before Covid) as someone who has lived outside Australia for >10 years that Australians (and even more so NZ’ers) are much more likely to talk about “we” and do thing collaboratively than many other westerners.

Covid has also highlighted that - I doubt that many other western countries would have rolled their sleeves up and put up with the sorts of restrictions Vic did last year for so long - there were some minor protests and a few outliers, but by and large people just got the job done.

For this reason - if the government eventually gets the vaccination roll out right and the messaging - I think 85% + of those eligible to receive the vaccine is a realistic target.

Yes the ANZAC legacy lives on in spirit and in the ethic of doing things for your mates, and in doing your bit for the common good.

 

[jakeseven7]

More convoluted complicated advice from ATAGI… sigh. I mean it’s good news but will it get any traction? Does anyone even listen to them now?​

——

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BREAKING: ATAGI urge people in outbreak areas to bring forward second AstraZeneca COVID-19 dose, encourage all over 18 living in areas with cases to get AstraZeneca if Pfizer not immediately available​

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)'s latest advice states people in areas like Sydney should receive their second dose between four and eight weeks after their first dose.

That is a change from waiting up to 12 weeks for the second dose.

ATAGI has also urged all people who live in areas with COVID-19 cases and do not have immediate access to a Pfizer vaccine to now consider AstraZeneca instead.

More to come.

NSW's number of new COVID cases below 100, but that's no reason to relax, Premier says

The NSW Premier warns "one day is not a trend" as today's number of new COVID-19 cases comes in below 100. She says the number needs to get "close to zero".

www.abc.net.au

 

[mviy]

Great. Hopefully the NSW Premier will take this advice onboard and allow anyone over 18 to get AZ at a mass vaccination hub.

ATAGI never should have bad-mouthed AZ. This looks like a backtrack whilst still trying to save some face.

 

[Lynda2475]

ATAGI never should have bad-mouthed AZ

LOL they didn't bad-mouth AZ, ATAGI reported the facts about fatalities and hospitalizations caused by AZ and then adjusted their recommendation to reduce the likelihood of these occurring again. The restriction of AZ is not unique to Australia, most of western Europe have also done the same.

There is no evidence of libel or defamation or slander to qualify the "bad mouth" claim.

 

[mviy]

ATAGI severely underestimated the risk of a bad outbreak and undermined the vaccine rollout through overly cautious advice. We could have had many more people partially and fully vaccinated by now if they hadn't turned off people in their 50s unnecessarily from getting AZ.

 

[Spongbob]

I doubt that you'll ever get 75% in Oz. Too many don't want to, for whatever reason, and don't care a hoot how that affects the country overall. So, once everyone has been offered their chance you can either let the virus rip...and it will soon sort out that 25%, one way or the other, or give them incentive in the form of their own personal, permanent, quarantine....

Or, try the carrot and stick approach :

 

[burmans]

This is a great example of the quote attributed to Keynes ‘When the facts change, I change my mind’.

Circumstances in Sydney then were completely different to what they are now! It’s only a personal opinion but I’ve always felt that those who refuse to change their mind when confronted with new and changed are (aside from being just stubborn) a bit ‘simple’.

We tend to be a bit critical of politicians and others when they do this but in my view willingness to change your mind when confronted with new information (contrary to your previous opinion) is a sign both of strength and intellect.

 

[drron]

As far as I am concerned ATAGI when they first released the guidelines on the AZ vaccine should have added the statement that if there was a significant outbreak occurring the risk evaluation may change leading to a change in the AZ guidelines.

 

[burmans]

As far as I am concerned ATAGI when they first released the guidelines on the AZ vaccine should have added the statement that if there was a significant outbreak occurring the risk evaluation may change leading to a change in the AZ guidelines.

Agreed, but then we’d get people complaining the message was ‘complicated’.

 

[Lynda2475]

We could have had many more people partially and fully vaccinated by now if they hadn't turned off people in their 50s unnecessarily from getting AZ.

That fails to recognize AZ was already on the nose before ATAGI changed the advice for 50-59s. Many European countries had either banned or restricted use to over 65s before ATAGI followed suit.

Had ATAGI not changed advice fewer 50-59s would be vaccinated. Many who were AZ hesitant went and booked Pfizer appointments as son as the rules changes and are now either partially or fully vaccinated. If AZ was still all that was on offer those people would still be avoiding vaccination.

 

[RAM]

ATAGI never should have bad-mouthed AZ. This looks like a backtrack whilst still trying to save some face.

ATAGI provided science based recommendations.

Scott Morrison et al have been changing the spin to suit the political circumstances.

Imagine that if the Australian Govt had acted like 21 of the 33 countries who ordered Pfizer in large (relative to their populations) quantities prior to Australia's last order.

So that today, and for the last 13 weeks or more, anyone over 40yrs of age could either have Pfizer or AZ vaccinations.

Would you still be criticising ATAGI?

As a great sign given to me to hang up on the approach to my desk early in my career said:

"Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."

Also her advice to hold my pair of scissors in a 'Psycho' movie-like way wouldn't hurt either while certain recalcitrants approached....She was right.

I applaud ATAGI for refusing to be brow-beaten & stand by their earlier recommendations made on the basis of science & not poll-driven pressures. Imagine the total loss of credibility if they'd done otherwise.

 

[Pushka]

Good to see the pharmac_ advertising covid vaccination appointments in Victor Harbor which is one of Adelaide's main retirement area with lots of aged.

Have just been informed by partner that Victor Harbor has the highest proportion of over 80's in the country so might explain why vaccinations were opened up to all in the country areas and Victor Harbor had the first general country hub and multiple GP's have been vaccinating from day 1.

 

[moa999]

BREAKING: ATAGI urge people in outbreak areas to bring forward second AstraZeneca COVID-19 dose, encourage all over 18 living in areas with cases to get AstraZeneca if Pfizer not immediately available

Finally.
But over a week late.

 

[DC3]

More flip-flopping with the advice. Waiting to see what the advice will be next month.