The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[Pushka]

It’s why I predicted 80% fully vaccinated in November a month ago - with escalating vaccination and supply it seemed entirely possible rather than basing it on the rates at that point. However current vaccination is exceeding what I thought - pity it took multiple lockdowns, people dying and businesses stuffed to do it.

Unfortunately (fortunately) the risk of Covid disappeared once Victoria gained control of it last year and the smaller leaks were dealt with effectively and even the Delta strain was only linked with preventing travellers from India. False sense of security. It was always going to come back but the messaging was, as we know, there's no rush.

 

[mviy]

Front Page of the Weekend Australian - "How to stop spread of Delta: jab all teenagers" - "Vaccinating more than three million children and teenagers under the age of 15 would likely halve the long-term spread of Covid-19"

Front Page of The Canberra Times - "Doses boost for ACT as crisis grows"

 

[Flying mermaid]

Front Page of the Weekend Australian - "How to stop spread of Delta: jab all teenagers" - "Vaccinating more than three million children and teenagers under the age of 15 would likely halve the long-term spread of Covid-19"

Front Page of The Canberra Times - "Doses boost for ACT as crisis grows"

ACT is getting 14,000 doses from the Polish Pfizer - all helps….

 

[jakeseven7]

Another big day for vaccines with 303,304 administered on Thursday. 51% of all Australian adults have had their first jab and 28.9% are fully vaccinated. ACT leads the pack on first shots with 57.5% and NSW is second on 56.3%.
The ACT also had the biggest uplift with 10,813 on Thursday, triple the amount from the previous day.

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/08/covid-19-vaccine-rollout-update-20-august-2021.pdf

We really need to split the states into two groups though. The smaller states honestly should be a slam dunk and have no bearing to the national overall number.

Group 1: NSW, VIC and QLD.

NSW is fine because of the enormous outbreak and people racing to save themselves. VIC is still performing strongly and I take heart they are trying lots of different things. Their CHO has much better relations with the state especially the young, they listen to him and turned out in droves to ignore ATAGI. The big big issue is QLD for all the reasons we’ve discussed on here repeatedly, poor messaging, dreadful leadership and a woeful health department. We also have huge regional geographic and vulnerable population spread.

Group 2: The rest.

The issue state is going to be WA. I know SA is fussing along but I think they will walk backwards over the line without too much cajoling when they see VIC beating them . WA is just a disaster and I honestly wouldn’t know even where to start with them, mess of health system, a MIA CHO who no one knows let alone listens to, some real quacks in the local AMA branch who have confused the 2 good local doctors and a Premier who is so so far behind the 8-ball on vaccinations he could go and run NZ!

 

[Flying mermaid]

We really need to split the states into two groups though. The smaller states honestly should be a slam dunk and have no bearing to the national overall number.

Group 1: NSW, VIC and QLD.

NSW is fine because of the enormous outbreak and people racing to save themselves. VIC is still performing strongly and I take heart they are trying lots of different things. Their CHO has much better relations with the state especially the young, they listen to him and turned out in droves to ignore ATAGI. The big big issue is QLD for all the reasons we’ve discussed on here repeatedly, poor messaging, dreadful leadership and a woeful health department. We also have huge regional geographic and vulnerable population spread.

Group 2: The rest.

The issue state is going to be WA. I know SA is fussing along but I think they will walk backwards over the line without too much cajoling when they see VIC beating them . WA is just a disaster and I honestly wouldn’t know even where to start with them, mess of health system, a MIA CHO who no one knows let alone listens to, some real quacks in the local AMA branch who have confused the 2 good local doctors and a Premier who is so so far behind the 8-ball on vaccinations he could go and run NZ!

Does WA even matter? They are going to lock themselves away for ever ……

 

[justinbrett]

We really need to split the states into two groups though. The smaller states honestly should be a slam dunk and have no bearing to the national overall number.

Group 1: NSW, VIC and QLD.

NSW is fine because of the enormous outbreak and people racing to save themselves. VIC is still performing strongly and I take heart they are trying lots of different things. Their CHO has much better relations with the state especially the young, they listen to him and turned out in droves to ignore ATAGI. The big big issue is QLD for all the reasons we’ve discussed on here repeatedly, poor messaging, dreadful leadership and a woeful health department. We also have huge regional geographic and vulnerable population spread.

Group 2: The rest.

The issue state is going to be WA. I know SA is fussing along but I think they will walk backwards over the line without too much cajoling when they see VIC beating them . WA is just a disaster and I honestly wouldn’t know even where to start with them, mess of health system, a MIA CHO who no one knows let alone listens to, some real quacks in the local AMA branch who have confused the 2 good local doctors and a Premier who is so so far behind the 8-ball on vaccinations he could go and run NZ!

Unfortunately there was a subtle change in the national plan - originally it was >80% in the respective state and >80% nationally.

Now it is >80% in the respective state and >80% in every other state.

So I can see WA and QLD holding the rest of us to random when it comes to international borders etc. Obviously for the domestic stuff, we will just do our own thing and open up anyway.

 

[jakeseven7]

Does WA even matter? They are going to lock themselves away for ever ……

Yes they do matter because they are so very closely linked in with the eastern states, Victoria especially. They are a dependent state in so so many ways, Victoria basically feeds them and supplies a majority of their skilled workers, not to mention enormous family ties.

So we can all giggle and groan at the ridiculous words that come out of their stuttering Premier (who by the way even embarrasses his own residents!) but at the end of the day they are a part of us and we are a part of them, for better or worse.

We need to stop with the ‘leave them to it’ and find a way to HELP them get there. They have many structural issues that their government and public service are too embarrassed / proud to ask for help for… we need to work out how….

It’s like having a surly teenager, that you love but they are just difficult and not quite equipped for life!

 

[jase05]

Have been saying for ages we need to get AZ into arms. We now have 6m doses sitting around doing nothing and we will probably end up throwing them out if we can’t find a home for them. Just open it up and jab, jab, jab

 

[jakeseven7]

Have been saying for ages we need to get AZ into arms. We now have 6m doses sitting around doing nothing and we will probably end up throwing them out if we can’t find a home for them. Just open it up and jab, jab, jab

Cool story, as has everyone. So how are you helping directly?

I have this week helped organise people coming into our old WA office to jab any staff who want it and just won the battle for them to bring any family or friends they want to bring too to get vaccinated.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes they do matter because they are so very closely linked in with the eastern states, Victoria especially. They are a dependent state in so so many ways, Victoria basically feeds them and supplies a majority of their skilled workers, not to mention enormous family ties.

So we can all giggle and groan at the ridiculous words that come out of their stuttering Premier (who by the way even embarrasses his own residents!) but at the end of the day they are a part of us and we are a part of them, for better or worse.

We need to stop with the ‘leave them to it’ and find a way to HELP them get there. They have many structural issues that their government and public service are too embarrassed / proud to ask for help for… we need to work out how….

It’s like having a surly teenager, that you love but they are just difficult and not quite equipped for life!

I don’t know how you get anything into McGowan’s head - possibly the recent threat to not give any Fed support “might” make him change from hard border to vaccinate as a strategy but I have my doubts…..

 

[jase05]

Cool story, as has everyone. So how are you helping directly?

I have this week helped organise people coming into our old WA office to jab any staff who want it and just won the battle for them to bring any family or friends they want to bring too to get vaccinated.

Convinced my son who is in his early 20’s to get AZ a long time ago and him and plenty of his mates and work colleagues went out and got it too. Both my wife and I are in our 40’s and have been fully vaccinated with AZ for months, all of my immediate family likewise including parents, brothers, nephews etc. A lot of my work colleagues are vaccinated too (my department it’s been mandatory since April) and I assisted in organising time off in groups to go and get vaccinated and I’d like to think a lot of blokes at my sporting clubs have gone and got vaccinated on the back of me and others who are likeminded discussing it with them.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Convinced my son who is in his early 20’s to get AZ a long time ago and him and plenty of his mates and work colleagues went out and got it too. Both my wife and I are in our 40’s and have been fully vaccinated with AZ for months, all of my immediate family likewise including parents, brothers, nephews etc. A lot of my work colleagues are vaccinated too (my department it’s been mandatory since April) and I assisted in organising time off in groups to go and get vaccinated and I’d like to think a lot of blokes at my sporting clubs have gone and got vaccinated on the back of me and others who are likeminded discussing it with them.

It’s been my strategy since early April - not as successful as yours, as being retired we don’t have as much contact. However anyone I see - neighbours in the reserve, dental assistants, people at playgroup and bop tots - just everyone.

Amusingly in June Mr FM went to Queanbeyan to order a gate to be made and the woman assisting him, asked if he had been vaccinated - there are lots of grass roots people pushing ....

 

[jakeseven7]

Convinced my son who is in his early 20’s to get AZ a long time ago and him and plenty of his mates and work colleagues went out and got it too. Both my wife and I are in our 40’s and have been fully vaccinated with AZ for months, all of my immediate family likewise including parents, brothers, nephews etc. A lot of my work colleagues are vaccinated too (my department it’s been mandatory since April) and I assisted in organising time off in groups to go and get vaccinated and I’d like to think a lot of blokes at my sporting clubs have gone and got vaccinated on the back of me and others who are likeminded discussing it with them.

Great! Keep it up. It’s only people asking and talking and doing things we will get out of this nightmare.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yes they do matter because they are so very closely linked in with the eastern states, Victoria especially. They are a dependent state in so so many ways, Victoria basically feeds them and supplies a majority of their skilled workers, not to mention enormous family ties.

So we can all giggle and groan at the ridiculous words that come out of their stuttering Premier (who by the way even embarrasses his own residents!) but at the end of the day they are a part of us and we are a part of them, for better or worse.

We need to stop with the ‘leave them to it’ and find a way to HELP them get there. They have many structural issues that their government and public service are too embarrassed / proud to ask for help for… we need to work out how….

It’s like having a surly teenager, that you love but they are just difficult and not quite equipped for life!

The most effective way to get WA vaccinating ASAP would be if they had a same/ similar outbreak of Delta to that in Victoria
Not that I am at all advocating that but it has been a significant driver in VIC/ NSW.
In addition they have some very vocal prominent medics in WA who are advocating for 80% target to include all kids. They don’t want to open up at all like the UK (who are only just starting to vaccinate 16/17 years) until all kids have been vaccinated.
To date there are quite a few countries in Europe doing all 12–16 years now, added recently but none doing under 12.

 

[drron]

An interesting article on vaccination rates with the best and worst performing parts of the States.

Race to 80 per cent: see your suburbs vaccination rate

Australia is racing towards new freedoms as the country edges closer to higher vaccination rates, but like any race, there are winners and losers. Find out how your suburb is doing below.

www.news.com.au

 

[jase05]

Are we close to getting AZ approved for under 18’s or just a pipe dream?
Would like to see all secondary school students vaccinated ASAP

 

[Princess Fiona]

Are we close to getting AZ approved for under 18’s or just a pipe dream?
Would like to see all secondary school students vaccinated ASAP

It will not be approved for under 18. It is registered by the TGA for 18yrs and above only.
AZ halted trials in younger age groups in April after the links to TTS became known.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Are we close to getting AZ approved for under 18’s or just a pipe dream?
Would like to see all secondary school students vaccinated ASAP

ONly Pfizer approved in Australia for 12-17....not sure AZ is asking for approval

Post automatically merged: Aug 21, 2021

It will not be approved for under 18. It is registered by the TGA for 18yrs and above only.
AZ halted trials in younger age groups in April after the links to TTS became known.

Snap..

 

[Flying mermaid]

Just been listening to the ACT presser and Barr said in answer to a question that at the National Cabinet meeting yesterday all premiers were on the same page about the need to get vaccinations happening quickly. I gather that might have been the only thing they were in agreement on, but definitely that one.

 

[MelMel]

Convinced my son who is in his early 20’s to get AZ a long time ago and him and plenty of his mates and work colleagues went out and got it too. Both my wife and I are in our 40’s and have been fully vaccinated with AZ for months, all of my immediate family likewise including parents, brothers, nephews etc. A lot of my work colleagues are vaccinated too (my department it’s been mandatory since April) and I assisted in organising time off in groups to go and get vaccinated and I’d like to think a lot of blokes at my sporting clubs have gone and got vaccinated on the back of me and others who are likeminded discussing it with them.

I was talking to the Nurse at my GP clinic this week. She has an 18 year old son who was “absolutely not” going to get the vaccine - couldn’t be bothered. She said she would pay him $300 to get it. His reply ”sure Mum when’s my appointment “ I really don’t care what it takes if people get the jab that’s all that matters