The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[jakeseven7]

I actually think people waiting for GPs is what is slowing things down, the states should be directing people to the respiratory clinics and other mass vac sites locations in first instance, they have supply and are under utilised.

A super paranoid imuno compromised friend who is part of 1B told me last night still hasn't been vaccinated. I sent her a list of 4 places with same day appointments available prior to Easter (all within a 5 min drive of her home, she has a car and doenst work so can go anytime). She said her GP told her she needed to wait until the practice had supply (the appointment is 6 weeks away) as the clinics were only for workers, which is very wrong (obviously that GP wants the revenue for the appointment). I pointed out had she got jab 1 before Easter like my parents did (they are all over 70), she would be getting her second jab when now she will only be getting her first.

It is, but I don't blame people for waiting.

A lot of people are waiting because they trust their own doctor and would prefer to see them over a stranger they don't know, they may have questions and many GP clinics are still chronically undersupplied which adds to the wait time.

The spread of misinformation and sensationalist reporting about both vaccines has made people nervous leading them to want to see someone they know and trust to discuss. Finally, people aren't in a massive rush as there is no covid in Australia as we all know, so they are happy to wait and see someone they know.

Public information campaigns are advertising directing people to respiratory clinics but people are choosing not to get immunised there for all the reasons above and probably more. And the 'revenue' the GP gets is marginal/cost neutral especially with the admin involved, which is why only about 5000 clinics signed up, many did not bother even tendering.

For those who don't want to wait, that is where the mass vaccination centres and vaccination hubs and hopefully pharmacies eventually will assist and fill the gaps, but some states are seriously lagging behind in running them out.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Question - to the people who have received the vaccine, do you receive a receipt or anything to prove you've had it, or does it go onto your mygov/myhealth file? There has been some interesting remarks over the last few days, even a 'vaccine passport'...

 

[OATEK]

Question - to the people who have received the vaccine, do you receive a receipt or anything to prove you've had it, or does it go onto your mygov/myhealth file? There has been some interesting remarks over the last few days, even a 'vaccine passport'...

It appears on the Medicare site (through MyGov), where there is a link to your "vaccination record".

 

[jakeseven7]

Question - to the people who have received the vaccine, do you receive a receipt or anything to prove you've had it, or does it go onto your mygov/myhealth file? There has been some interesting remarks over the last few days, even a 'vaccine passport'...

You can show people on your Medicare Express App as well which is super handy.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Question - to the people who have received the vaccine, do you receive a receipt or anything to prove you've had it, or does it go onto your mygov/myhealth file? There has been some interesting remarks over the last few days, even a 'vaccine passport'...

Ours was just in myGov - checked next day and it was there. You can print your immunisation record.

 

[blackcat20]

I was given a vaccination card but it states on the back that it’s not a formal certificate.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Ok, thanks for the super fast replies.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

 

[Lynda2475]

More blood clot cases likely linked to AZ, form ABC Blog:

Queensland Chief Health Officer confirms blood clot case​

Dr Jeannette Young says the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) believes the case of the 66-year-old with blood clots is related to his AstraZeneca vaccine.

"TGA has confirmed with me that they believe that his illness is a direct result of the AstraZeneca vaccine. He received the first dose of the vaccine on 30 March, subsequently developed some abdominal pain and presented to the Townsville hospital, where he was admitted and tested and it's now been confirmed that he has most likely developed that (thrombosis) syndrome.

70-year-old Tasmanian is being treated for suspected blood clotting ​

A Tasmanian man is being treated for suspected blood clotting — thrombocytopaenia syndrome — after being vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

The Tasmanian health department says he reported symptoms seven days after receiving the vaccine.

He’s in hospital in a stable condition.

The department says it's convened an expert alert advisory panel to review the case and it will be referred to the TGA’s national safety surveillance.

 

[Katie]

Has there been any noted issues of neurological problems (not sure that's the best phrase) after AZ?

I only ask as my kid's psychologist had their first jab a while ago, it was AZ, and they had a mini-stroke as a result. The psych is under 50, but had the jab earlier in the day that the feds announced not to give AZ to under-50s. Of course, there's a risk of all manner of possible reactions from any jab.

(Perhaps the more upsetting part of their story was they said in hospital, they were unable to speak and so were using Auslan. A doctor rather condescendingly responded to their efforts to communicate with "We don't do that here"!!!).

I offer all of this as an anecdote, and have no further details I can possibly add.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

And on adverse events with Pfizer as well:







Of note is that with Pfizer that adverse events are more common after the second dose

 

[Flying mermaid]

Vaccination stakes update. Anzac Day is still having some impact. We have slipped to 80th spot and been overtaken by Jordan and Kazakhstan. However if there is a surge next week then we can probably claw back a few spots and if our pace picks up we can probably make it into the 60s. Hard to see us ever getting better than that, as we would then be vaccinating at around the same rate as the average.

looking at our local respiratory centre, three of the vaccination clinics are booked out for the next 2 weeks and the last 2 only had a few spots left on Sunday. The ACT clinic that is doing AZ is booked until next week as well. Hope this surge from the over 50s continues.

 

[Pushka]

For the AFF'er asking about interstate vaccinations? This is from abc.com.au

"Norman Swan was on for his regular spot when, as has often been the case in recent months, the conversation turned to the vaccine rollout.

I mentioned I had happily booked my first AstraZeneca shot now the program was open to over-50s.

Norman said he happened to be travelling to Melbourne the next day and, instead of a coffee date, we should get vaccinated together.

"Sure," I said, thinking he was probably in such high demand the idea wouldn't go anywhere.

As soon as he was out of the studio, Norman was enthusiastically texting about making arrangements, and some on-air spitballing quickly became reality."

Being from Sydney, he was very impressed with the mass vaccination clinic in Victoria. As Sydney hasn't started theirs yet.

 

[jakeseven7]

Norman said he happened to be travelling to Melbourne the next day and, instead of a coffee date, we should get vaccinated together.

"Sure," I said, thinking he was probably in such high demand the idea wouldn't go anywhere.

As soon as he was out of the studio, Norman was enthusiastically texting about making arrangements, and some on-air spitballing quickly became reality."

Being from Sydney, he was very impressed with the mass vaccination clinic in Victoria. As Sydney hasn't started theirs yet.

Two members of our team (based in QLD) went to the mass vaccination clinic in Victoria and got their shot as well.

VIC is now streaking ahead with vaccination numbers (nowhere near enough of course, but certainly miles in front of any other state).

Can't wait until the other states open their mass vaccination centres.

 

[NM]

What happens for you second shot if you have the first one while traveling interstate? It was my understanding that it was normal protocol to make the booking for second shot at the time of receiving the first. I assume that someone receiving their first shot interstate will need to make their own arrangements for their second shot wherever they happen to be in three months time.

Flexibility is the best approach when the priority is getting shots into arms.

 

[Flying mermaid]

What happens for you second shot if you have the first one while traveling interstate? It was my understanding that it was normal protocol to make the booking for second shot at the time of receiving the first. I assume that someone receiving their first shot interstate will need to make their own arrangements for their second shot wherever they happen to be in three months time.

Flexibility is the best approach when the priority is getting shots into arms.

Dr FM had her first shot in London and then had to organise her own second shot when she got back. No issues with doing it, except the computer spat the dummy as it had no record of the first one. Presumably that wouldn’t happen with a first one interstate.

 

[Pushka]

What happens for you second shot if you have the first one while traveling interstate? It was my understanding that it was normal protocol to make the booking for second shot at the time of receiving the first. I assume that someone receiving their first shot interstate will need to make their own arrangements for their second shot wherever they happen to be in three months time.

Flexibility is the best approach when the priority is getting shots into arms.

It's loaded into Medicare and will register there. I've changed locations for my second shot as it was going to be a PH and I wanted it done before then not later.

 

[drron]

What happens for you second shot if you have the first one while traveling interstate? It was my understanding that it was normal protocol to make the booking for second shot at the time of receiving the first. I assume that someone receiving their first shot interstate will need to make their own arrangements for their second shot wherever they happen to be in three months time.

Flexibility is the best approach when the priority is getting shots into arms.

Yes I had my first on the Sunshine Coast.I informed them my second would be done in Tasmania and they had no problems with that.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

 

[Lynda2475]

So with the Olympic Park mass vaccination site opening up today (although not accessible to anyone but 1A or 1B until 24th May), Gladys announced that NSW is also bringing forward Pfizer accessibility for 40-49 year old's at this site possibly by the end of the month.

If that is so, it will be worth taking a leave day to get Pfizer jab as soon as available.

Mass vaccination centre opens

The mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park has opened today with thousands of people booked in to receive the COVID-19 vaccine this

www.miragenews.com

One million people in NSW able to register for Pfizer vaccine

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says adults aged 40 to 49 will be able to formally express interest today to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine “within weeks”.

www.smh.com.au

During its first weeks of operation, the centre will focus on delivering Pfizer vaccinations to priority groups including healthcare workers, emergency services workers as well as quarantine and border workers and their households.

Members of the general public aged 40-49 are invited to register their interest in receiving the Pfizer vaccine through NSW Health. They will be contacted when a booking is available. People aged 40-49 can register from 5pm today.

From Wednesday 12 May, people aged 50 and over can book their AstraZeneca jab at the mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park, if they are unable to obtain the vaccination from their GP. These bookings will be available via the Vaccine Eligibility Checker.