The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[lovetravellingoz]

You dont believe in vaccine choice,

You do seem to have trouble comprehending. If people want Moderna they can just choose to book into a pharmac_. Simples.
But that may mean them waiting longer to be vaccinated.


Lieutenant General John James Frewen has the responsibility of getting as many Australians vaccinated as quickly as possible. Fortunately he seems to be a very competent person who understands that a multi-channel approach is the best way to achieve this. I 100% support his approach.

Restricting things to only state run hubs would be a disaster. Restricting mRNA vaccines to only state run hubs would also mean that those vaccines are not population targeted as well as they could be.



Individual choice of people waiting for Pfizer is one of the reasons why NSW has had 356 cases today.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

You do seem to have trouble comprehending. If people want Moderna they can just choose to book into a pharmac_. Simples.



Lieutenant General John James Frewen has the responsibility of getting as many Australians vaccinated as quickly as possible. Fortunately he seems to be a very competent person that understands that a multi-channel approach is the best way to achieve this.

Restricting things to only state run hubs would be a disaster.

Why not all types at all channels??? Simples........

PS You didn't specifically answer my query.......

 

[oznflfan]

3 deaths in NSW all elderly all unvaccinated.

Come on people................................................

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Why not all types at all channels??? Simples........

..

Because to have both mRNA vaccines available at each vaccination facility now would not lead to better vaccination rates, but which would add enormously to complexity and logistics.

It is also why some of the State Hubs only offer Pfizer or AZ. Some do both, some do not. The Moderna vaccine also allows smaller communities to be serviced.

People just need to be able to reasonably access a mRNA Vaccine and AZ. They do not need the luxury of the choice both mRNA vaccines at every facility.

 

[RAM]

However, the percentage in the hospital is extremely low. According to the article, these low numbers are still straining Iceland's healthcare system BUT the vaccine is doing its job. Many states in the USA offer a real life comparison of impact on the healthcare system where there is low vaccination versus high vaccination. I really do hope that the vaccines do protect against long COVID - even a mild case can result in long COVID and this is not something I've seen written about re: Delta. Likely because the info/data isn't there yet.

The CDC, citing 'lack of resources' stopped collecting the number of breakthrough infections in that US that did not result in hospitalisation - from April 30th, this year.

Then in mid-May the CDC issued a directive stating that the fully vaccinated should no longer get tested for Covid even if they had been in high risk Covid locations.

This covers the period that the Delta variant went from 0.07% of cases detected to around 90% - fully vaccinated people who may have been asymptomatic were unlikely to have been tested.

Here is one occasion where Australia gets the 'Gold medal'!

I just wish one aspect would change. At the various State daily media briefings, without fail, they only ever ask for people 'with even the slightest symptoms to get tested'. Given the rate of asymptomatic cases rises as more people get vaccinated (& personally protected from serious illness) they may never realise they're a breakthrough infection & can be unwittingly spreading it.

In today's numbers are 3 breakthrough cases in one Aged Care facility.

Why not use 'surveillance testing' for the fully vaccinated? Perhaps, if you haven't been tested (in Sydney) in the last ten days - go have a test even if you have no symptoms.

That would require the State Govt to purchase some more machines, & train up technicians (no additional capacity added since August last year BTW, so each day the NSW Govt is flying tens of thousands of tests inter-state & now with the regional outbreaks - the tests are being driven to Sydney from a number of regional areas).

Could this be part of the reason NSW Contact Tracing is failing? Less than 2% of transmission chains have had the source identified this outbreak.

NSW June outbreak

• current unlinked transmission chains > 1,800 (aka Mystery cases) under investigation
• current linked transmission chains = 36
• unlinked transmisson chains this outbreak no longer being investigated = 23 (includes the Limo driver)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

PS You didn't specifically answer my query.......

My apologies. If you can restate it I will be pleased to answer your question.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

My apologies. If you can restate it I will be pleased to answer your question.

It was about the 6-7 million jabs in NSW in November - my point is that that level of capacity probably won't be required......its a small point so bygones. Also, NSW is currently doing 2 million jabs per month through all channels.

Because to have both mRNA vaccines available at each vaccination facility now would not lead to better vaccination rates, but which would add enormously to complexity and logistics.

It is also why some of the State Hubs only offer Pfizer or AZ. Some do both, some do not. The Moderna vaccine also allows smaller communities to be serviced.

People just need to be able to reasonably access a mRNA Vaccine and AZ. They do not need the luxury of the choice both mRNA vaccines at every facility.

Well I disagree - initially maybe a soft September launch in one channel but by November given everywhere in Australia will be possibly passed the 70% target and if not there will probably be a surplus supply situation (ie supply more than demand) I think it should graduated to all channels.

 

[drron]

Pharmacies have been doing vaccinations for years.
More people live closer to a pharmac_ than a State hub.
Many people already have a professional relationship with a pharmac_.
I really don't see why anyone needs a choice between Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

It was about the 6-7 million jabs in NSW in November - my point is that that level of capacity probably won't be required......its a small point so bygones. Also, NSW is currently doing 2 million jabs per month through all channels.

I answered that in post 4711. Here is that reply again (NSW is 32% of the 19 million) :

The 19m is not my estimate. It was the figure given by Greg Hunt yesterday​

​

The number of all vaccine doses available in Australia is scheduled to peak in November, with almost 19m doses on offer that month, comprising 10m Pfizer, 5m AstraZeneca and 4m Moderna​

​

Now NSW may manage to bring forward a number of vaccinations prior to that (The Feds seems to be using this "accounting" method for recent allocations). But if they do it would just make it less possible that State Hubs solely could deliver all the vaccinations in NSW (and Australia).​

If you want to get as many Australians vaccinated as quickly as possible then you need the pharmacists, as well as the GPs, to be vaccinating. State hubs simply do not have the capacity.​

So yes NSW may achieve more doses more quickly as I stated, but will only do so by using Pharmacists and GPs as part of the mix., and actually these two channels are vaccinating more people in NSW that the State Hubs are.

Well I disagree - initially maybe a soft September launch in one channel but by November given everywhere in Australia will be possibly passed the 70% target and if not there will probably be a surplus supply situation (ie supply more than demand) I think it should graduated to all channels.

Why add the complexity though at all facilities? Particularly for in the large cities. If people want a particular vaccine they can just book it at a facility that offers it.

Though those in remote and rural locations will be much more limited in their choice. Moderna does mean that these populations will be better able to access a mRNA Vaccine compare to now, and I would imagine that a % of Moderna will be reserved for these populations due the simpler cold chain requirements.

Eventually Moderna will most likely be offered at places besides Pharmacies. This may well include some of the State Hubs. You can certainly foresee that Moderna will be taken by outreach teams to remote communities for example. And that say Moderna will be offered at say some workplace vaccination locations

The situation for some months at least though is that demand for mRNA vaccines will exceed supply, and until that actually dose change I just do not see the benefit in offering two different mRNA vaccines at the same facility. And particularly when there are so many locations with minimal access that Moderna is better suited to servicing.

 

[jakeseven7]

Pharmacies have been doing vaccinations for years.
More people live closer to a pharmac_ than a State hub.
Many people already have a professional relationship with a pharmac_.
I really don't see why anyone needs a choice between Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Pharmacies appear to be the new target of the day (like GP’s/Victoria/AZ) for certain posters…. I think they’d be surprised to know the doubt of them able to coordinate a simple immunisation

And yes agree, on top of being super convenient for the population, they do have great relationships with people especially vulnerable, complex cases and elderly people for example (like GP’s) and will be able to reassure, convert and jab loads of people. Just like the flu.

 

[Lynda2475]

Why add the complexity though at all facilities? Particularly for in the large cities. If people want a particular vaccine they can just book it at a facility that offers it.

Because moderna distribution is not complex at all, and Pharmacies are not convenient for many. Not giving access to Moderrna via state hubs lacks foresight and is only going to slow the roll-out over all.

 

[mviy]

Because moderna distribution is not complex at all, and Pharmacies are not conveininet for many.

There is AZ and Pfizer already available through state hubs, GPs etc.

Because moderna distribution is not complex at all, and Pharmacies are not conveininet for many. Not giving access to Moderrna via state hubs lacks forsight and is only going to slow the roll-out over all.

The government is going to send increased Pfizer supplies to state hubs, GPs etc. The supply problems with Pfizer will be sorted over the coming months.

Stopping giving Pfizer at the state hubs and switching to Moderna would involve downtime that would slow the rollout. Is that really what you want?

 

[Lynda2475]

Stopping giving Pfizer at the state hubs and switching to Moderna would involve downtime that would slow the rollout. Is that really what you want?

No I never suggested we stop giving Pfizer at state hubs, I suggested we need to augment that with also offering Moderna to make up the shortfall between demand and supply of MRNA vaccines at the State Hubs which have been key to getting the working age population vaccinated to date.

Adding Moderna to state hubs will require no down time. There was no down time for Pfizer, when AZ was added, so why would there be for Moderna? In fact Moderna is more suitable as does not require a GP consult to sign a waiver like AZ does for under 60s.

 

[mviy]

No i never suggested we stop giving Pfizer at state hubs, I suggested we need to augment that with also offering Moderna to make up the shortfall between demand and supply of MRNA vaccines at the State Hubs which have been key to getting the working age population vaccinated to date.

I am in the working age population and got AZ at my local GP. Sydney and Melbourne are in lockdown atm. Travelling to a state hub to get a vaccine with people who have travelled from all over the place is not something personally that I'd want to do at the moment.

Supply of Pfizer is increasing around the same time we start getting Moderna. Adding a 3rd vaccine to state hubs is not an efficient change at all.

Stopping giving Pfizer at state hubs to switch to Moderna would slow the rollout, as would delaying providing mRNA vaccines at pharmacies a very convenient location to visit for many.

In WWII Bomber Harris decided that he preferred the Lancaster over the Halifax. He increased production of the Lancaster, setting up new facilities but kept existing Halifax production facilities going. Switching from producing the Lancaster to the Halifax would have involved downtime which would have reduced the number of planes that would have otherwise been available.

 

[NM]

Today I received my email from Qld Health inviting me to create an account and book my vaccination. However, after following the instructions, there are NO (none, zero, zilch) bookings available at any of the 13 Qld Health vaccination centres within 20km of my home for the entire period between 10th August to 8th October (the booking window available on the web site). The only option I could find that has bookings available is the new vaccination site at South Bank, but that is about 40km away and not at all convenient for me.

I assume this is a temporary glitch in the booking system and I will try again later today and again daily for a few days to see if bookings become available at a more convenient location. There are two locations within 5km of my home which are quite easy to attend (one slightly more convenient).

Anyway, the invitation to make a booking came much earlier than the October estimate note in my previous email from Qld Health following initial registration of interest.

 

[Lynda2475]

Travelling to a state hub to get a vaccine with people who have travelled from all over the place is not something personally that I'd want to do at the moment.

Your choice, but you can only travel 10kms (so its not all over) and the physical distancing in play at the hubs is far superior to crowded pharmacies where you have to wait for your 15 mins observation period while sick people come in/out to pick up mediations, shop for shampoo etc. Waiting in the open air until called, then being in a strictly policed physical distancing environment where everyone has been forced to check in and show ID feels safer to me than a pharmac_ where people may not have checked in.

Looking at the list of exposure sites in NSW right now, Chemists feature heavily every day (as do GPs), yet only 1 time was there a mass vaccination hub listed as an exposure site in Sydney vs 100s of Chemists since this current outbreak.

Stopping giving Pfizer at state hubs to switch to Moderna would slow the rollout

Something no one suggested, so don't know why you keep mentioning it.

Adding Moderna to the state hubs stock wont slow anything, giving a moderna jab is not any more difficult than giving a Pfizer jab or a AZ jab.

Withholding a vaccine type for the state hubs will absolutely delay roll-out, as it means less people are able to get an MRNA jab via their preferred channel.

Administering vaccines has no relevance to production lines for aircraft. Different model aircraft have different parts and skill set. Whereas giving a moderna jab is not more difficult than giving a pfizer one.

 

[Lynda2475]

I assume this is a temporary glitch in the booking system and I will try again later today and again daily for a few days to see if bookings become available at a more convenient location.

Even once you have made a booking, keep checking every few days. In my experience additional bookings become available as more doses arrive and also because they put aside a set number for certain cohorts who then don't take them all up, so they then release to the general public a few days out.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

I am in the working age population and got AZ at my local GP. Sydney and Melbourne are in lockdown atm. Travelling to a state hub to get a vaccine with people who have travelled from all over the place is not something personally that I'd want to do at the moment.

Supply of Pfizer is increasing around the same time we start getting Moderna. Adding a 3rd vaccine to state hubs is not an efficient change at all.

Stopping giving Pfizer at state hubs to switch to Moderna would slow the rollout, as would delaying providing mRNA vaccines at pharmacies a very convenient location to visit for many.

In WWII Bomber Harris decided that he preferred the Lancaster over the Halifax. He increased production of the Lancaster, setting up new facilities but kept existing Halifax production facilities going. Switching from producing the Lancaster to the Halifax would have involved downtime which would have reduced the number of planes that would have otherwise been available.

Well its entire possible that giving some Moderna to a state hub could mean an extra facility??? but don't let creativity stop the anti-state hub vibe I'm getting from this thread.

As I said I don't see why by November it can't be all channels have all vaccine types. At that point in time supply should be above demand.

 

[Pushka]

Today I received my email from Qld Health inviting me to create an account and book my vaccination. However, after following the instructions, there are NO (none, zero, zilch) bookings available at any of the 13 Qld Health vaccination centres within 20km of my home for the entire period between 10th August to 8th October (the booking window available on the web site). The only option I could find that has bookings available is the new vaccination site at South Bank, but that is about 40km away and not at all convenient for me.

I assume this is a temporary glitch in the booking system and I will try again later today and again daily for a few days to see if bookings become available at a more convenient location. There are two locations within 5km of my home which are quite easy to attend (one slightly more convenient).

Anyway, the invitation to make a booking came much earlier than the October estimate note in my previous email from Qld Health following initial registration of interest.

They say to keep checking as appointments open up as supplies increase plus people cancel. Keep trying!

 

[NM]

Even once you have made a booking, keep checking every few days. In my experience additional bookings become available as more doses arrive and also because they put aside a set number for certain cohorts who then dont take them all up, so they then release to the general public a few days out.

I was not aware you had personal experience with the Qld Health booking system.