The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[mviy]

Thanks I didn't know this, so is the current recommendation for Pfizer in NSW 12 weeks?

No. Full vaccination is much better than only one dose if you are exposed, but one dose is better than no dose.

The state hubs are pushing out second Pfizer doses to 8 weeks for the general population so that they can get first dose protection to as many people as possible.

I suspect once supplies increase the interval between doses will be cut again at some point later in the year.

The majority of those in ICU or dying have had no doses, but the numbers in ICU or dying with one dose are still much higher than for those who are fully vaccinated.

NSW is trying to save lives and minimise the pressure their hospitals are facing.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

It's not a myth. For the general population who should be getting vaccinated, not just priority workers, there's an 8 week gap between Pfizer doses at NSW state hubs.

Well HSC students for example are being told it's an 8 week gap between doses: HSC student vaccinations within identified LGAs

Getting it at a GP is good if you are eligible and can get a booking. The GPs are not getting supplied with enough doses. If you can get AZ now in NSW but have to wait weeks for a Pfizer booking at a GP, it's an obvious decision to get AZ.


I was talking about NSW. NSW state hubs are doing second doses later than the recommended 6 weeks due to the desire to get first doses into as many arms as possible and that supplies are not being diverted from other states to meet the high demand in NSW.

NSW first doses for 16+ are 69.26% versus the national average of 59.62%. However for second doses the gap is much smaller 37.84% vs 35.74% respectively. The second dose gap will widen, but you can see that the bulk of what's happening in NSW is prioritising getting as many people as possible first doses.

Thanks. I didn't know NSW had some examples of 8 weeks. I only heard about the extension to up to 6 weeks.

I thought for NSW 4-5 weeks after say 70% get first dose might be the better reflection of when a place would reach the same % double dose. Might have to go to a longer estimate.....

 

[mviy]

Thanks. I didn't know NSW had some examples of 8 weeks. I only heard about the extension to up to 6 weeks.

I thought for NSW 4-5 weeks after say 70% get first dose might be the better reflection of when a place would reach the same % double dose. Might have to go to a longer estimate.....

It's just the state hubs doing up to 8 weeks. GPs are still doing the shorter gap as the policy there is driven by Federal policies, not the state.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

It's just the state hubs doing up to 8 weeks. GPs are still doing the shorter gap as the policy there is driven by Federal policies, not the state.

That's kind of dumb (re GPs being forced/allowed to do something different than the state's needs) - not directing the comment at you.

 

[jakeseven7]

It's just the state hubs doing up to 8 weeks. GPs are still doing the shorter gap as the policy there is driven by Federal policies, not the state.

Its actually nothing to do with Federal v State policy in GP’s but yes you are correct they are still doing shorter intervals.

 

[Must...Fly!]

That's kind of dumb (re GPs being forced/allowed to do something different than the state's needs) - not directing the comment at you.

No one is forcing GPs to do anything, they can also extend the interval if they so wish per ATAGI advice.

 

[Lynda2475]

It's not a myth. For the general population who should be getting vaccinated, not just priority workers, there's an 8 week gap between Pfizer doses at NSW state hubs.

No its 6 weeks, and if you are unfortunate and land at 8 weeks, you monitor vacancies and can bring it forward when spots become available. Please dont misdirect those in NSW who can absolutely get 2nd dose appoitnment at 6 weeks and under, 8 weeks is not the normal experience in Greater Sydney.

 

[mviy]

For the state hubs in Sydney people book their second appointments at the same time as their first. I would think most people would look for the first appointment day available to them for the second dose or pretty close to it.

 

[Lynda2475]

For the state hubs in Sydney people book their second appointments at the same time as their first. I would think most people would look for the first appointment day available to them for the second dose or pretty close to it.

You choose the date and time for dose one (not necessarily the first date if it doesnt suit) and then the date for the second. The site doesnt allow you to choose dose 2 at less than 22 days (greyed out), but you can take any date thereafter that is available.

At the moment generally no availability for dose two before 6 weeks from dose one, as this is where system defaults to suggesting next dose, but if you scroll back you can often find an earlier date.

Those of us in NSW who have actually booked at a NSW state hub, know how it works. Ive helped friends over the past couple of weeks book in their 18 and 21 year olds for Pfizer at State Hubs, took a little time but one has a 4 week gap and the other 5 weeks. The trick is to avoid Olympic Park which is booked solid for months, and look at the other hubs like RPA and St George Hospital, Qudos is where they send the priority workers and have targeted industry days/weeks.

The 17 and 18 yos of some of my friends who have part time jobs at Coles and Woolies are half way to being fully vaxed, they have their second dose at exactly 6 weeks at Qudos.

Reporting that there an 8 week gap in NSW for Pfizer is the norm is unhelpful.

 

[QF WP]

My wife and I are finally booked in for our first dose (both eligible for Pfizer and getting it) on Saturday at the Brisbane CEC. Then off to the Gabba for the AFL semi-final at night. Hopefully neither of us get any adverse affects, Fathers Day and my mothers birthday is the next day!

 

[mviy]

6 week gap for both AZ and Pfizer now at VIC state hubs.

 

[jrfsp]

There needs to be incentives for at risk groups, particularly remote and indigenous communities, the vaccination rates in those groups all across the country are far too low.

 

[jrfsp]

Mosque offers COVID vaccines but Arabic social media 'misinformation' keeps people away

Members of Wollongong's Islamic community, using the Omar Mosque as a vaccination clinic, fear widespread misinformation on Arabic social media platforms is undermining its rollout.

www.abc.net.au

"Social Media" needs to step up and take more responsibility to stop mis-information

Although the likes of certain backbenchers might be the place to start

 

[jakeseven7]

There needs to be incentives for at risk groups, particularly remote and indigenous communities, the vaccination rates in those groups all across the country are far too low.

Please contact the god botherers and tell them to stop interfering with our indigenous communities….

 

[jakeseven7]

Mona Museum making vaccine compulsory for all employers. It’s starting to gather momentum….!

Awesome stuff.

More will follow.

 

[dairyfloss]

Am I crazy to suggest that what we might need when there is a spread of misinformation & conspiracies' are abound, is for counter-conspiracists to start throwing in other theories to the mix that would set the cats amongst the pigeons, and hopefully get them back on the right track.

Something like this might get them thinking: 'The governments are seeding clot and other risk conspiracies so that our community will be frightened and won't get vaccinated. They know that if we are unvaccinated, more of us will get sick and die, and this is what they want. They will succeed in eradicating us and our religion / views / colour / votes / preferred rugby code'.

Anyone got a reddit login?

 

[antycbr]

Am I crazy to suggest that what we might need when there is a spread of misinformation & conspiracies' are abound, is for counter-conspiracists to start throwing in other theories to the mix that would set the cats amongst the pigeons, and hopefully get them back on the right track.

Something like this might get them thinking: 'The governments are seeding clot and other risk conspiracies so that our community will be frightened and won't get vaccinated. They know that if we are unvaccinated, more of us will get sick and die, and this is what they want. They will succeed in eradicating us and our religion / views / colour / votes / preferred rugby code'.

Anyone got a reddit login?

I do and it's exhausting. Don't go there.

 

[OATEK]

Please contact the god botherers and tell them to stop interfering with our indigenous communities….

You may find that many of these religious figures are actually from within their communities.

 

[Must...Fly!]

You may find that many of these religious figures are actually from within their communities.

Indeed. It is a really sad state of affairs. I don't like to tar the brush of everyone who is religious. Certainly not due to the selfish and immature actions of others spreading their personal beliefs about healthcare through the prism of their religious teachings.

 

[mviy]

Australia has gone past 60% of 16+ with a first dose (60.53%).
79.83% of 50+ has had their first dose, so that should go past 80% when today's numbers are released tomorrow.

75-79 has reached 90% first dose and over 2/3 (66.9%) with second dose, the first age group to reach these milestones.

55-59 (50.3%) and 65-69 (50.2%) are the first under 70 age groups to go past 50% fully vaccinated.

NSW has gone past 70% of 16+ with a first dose (70.54%).

More than the entire ACT population of 70+ has had a first dose (sounds like they're having trouble reconciling who does and doesn't live in the ACT that has had a dose there).

80.06% of 50+ in VIC have had their first dose.