The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[Lynda2475]

From SMH:

Under 50s already getting the Pfizer jab: NSW Premier​

People in their 40s are already getting their Pfizer vaccines at NSW’s mass vaccination hub in Homebush, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced at a press conference this morning.

In less than a week almost 110,000 people aged 40-49 years old have registered their interest with NSW Health to receive the vaccine after the Premier decided to open up the vaccination program to the younger age group.

“Last Thursday, 16,000 people were invited to get the jab and 9000 people were already booked in that 40 to 49 category alone. Some had already received their first dose this morning,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Ms Berejiklian said essential workers and the families of essential workers are the highest priority.

“But every week when we get doses – especially the Pfizer dose which requires refrigeration – we have to make sure we use those doses up.

“So if at any time ... if there [are] doses left over, we can draw on the list of 40 to 49 year-olds that have registered and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”


I doubt a GP receiving Pfizer would have the ability to easily call in extra patients for unused doses as easily as the mass vaccination centres can.

 

[mviy]

I doubt a GP receiving Pfizer would have the ability to easily call in extra patients for unused doses as easily as the mass vaccination centres can.

Demand is likely to exceed supply and they could setup a waiting list if they want to. I agree that it won't be as easy, but still doable.

With AZ as the doses can be kept for longer there's less need to have a waiting list.

 

[drron]

Those GP practices that are administering covid vaccines have an appointment schedule.As 1 GP I talked to said if it looks like we will have extras doses we ring people on the list for the next week to see if they want an earlier appointment and this usually works.The next week we usually can fill the appointment or we ask for a lower delivery number.

Most think the UK has seen a very effective vaccination program.The major source of vaccinations there are their GPs.

 

[Lynda2475]

I believe using GPs for Pfizer and Moderna distribution will result in more wastage than if these vaccines are done via the purpose built mass vac centres which have proper cold storage and a larger pool on customers on tap. With the huge wait for adequate quantities of Pfizer and Moderna we really cant afford to be wasting doses.

The popularity of the mass vac centres over GPs has been demonstrated in the past week, and the number who have registered on wait lists at mass vac centres also shows this is where the masses want to go.

Let GPs treat sick people, and mass vac centres deliver jabs.

 

[burmans]

Still think there is no reason not to have both, we want this rolled out as soon as possible.

 

[mad_atta]

As a 48yo in Sydney who had registered my interest last week, I got the email inviting me to book around 5pm on Friday so hopped straight online and got my first jab this afternoon. Extremely efficient setup at Homebush - I arrived a few minutes after my 3.30pm booking time and was vaccinated by 4.03pm and allowed to leave at 4.18pm after 15 minutes of observation. Everyone very friendly and process was well thought through.

They may have got off to a slow start, but now they're up and running they seem to be doing a good job of it.

 

[digpomi]

I believe using GPs for Pfizer and Moderna distribution will result in more wastage than if these vaccines are done via the purpose built mass vac centres which have proper cold storage and a larger pool on customers on tap. With the huge wait for adequate quantities of Pfizer and Moderna we really cant afford to be wasting doses.

The popularity of the mass vac centres over GPs has been demonstrated in the past week, and the number who have registered on wait lists at mass vac centres also shows this is where the masses want to go.

Let GPs treat sick people, and mass vac centres deliver jabs.

I am GP Clinic owner involved in COVID vaccination. Initially allocated 50/week, we managed to get 55/week done by getting extra dose per vial. Most of our patients do not want to go to mass vaccination clinics because they want to talk to us before having their jab done due to media induced hysteria. We are now getting 150/ week and have plenty of appointments in 2-3 weeks and most of our over 50 patients are happy to wait rather than go to mass vacc clinics(WA). I think vaccination program is scaling well and I can see GP Clinics scaling to over 100,000 shots/day soon. I support multi channel approach but see our role as critical in reducing vaccine hesitancy especially with Astra Zeneca. I think criticism of rollout is over done and at times ideologically driven

 

[jakeseven7]

I am GP Clinic owner involved in COVID vaccination. Initially allocated 50/week, we managed to get 55/week done by getting extra dose per vial. Most of our patients do not want to go to mass vaccination clinics because they want to talk to us before having their jab done due to media induced hysteria. We are now getting 150/ week and have plenty of appointments in 2-3 weeks and most of our over 50 patients are happy to wait rather than go to mass vacc clinics(WA). I think vaccination program is scaling well and I can see GP Clinics scaling to over 100,000 shots/day soon. I support multi channel approach but see our role as critical in reducing vaccine hesitancy especially with Astra Zeneca. I think criticism of rollout is over done and at times ideologically driven

This has been the overwhelming feedback from our partner clinics too. I completely agree with you. We just need more vaccines in the clinics!

Apologies though in advance for certain AFF members with zero knowledge of primary care in Australia disparaging GP’s ability to manage a few jabs without ‘wastage’... sigh

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Unfortunately there has been too much fearmongering over AZ.

The age to be given AZ now really should be dropped back to say 40-odd now as they now have a much better understanding of what symptoms to look for, know to use the platelet test if required and have an appropriate treatment for the very rare blood clotting problem if it happens.

As in Game of Thrones, "Winter is Coming" and we as a nation will not be as prepared as well as we should be if we do not deploy the AZ vaccine as widely as it can safely be now that stocks are becoming more abundant.

The community will be best protected if as many people as possible are vaccinated as quickly as possible. And we as a nation will also be able to open up more quickly, as well as being able to remove more restrictions.

COVID complacency in winter will ‘bite you on the backside’

Victoria’s vaccination program is running well below capacity due to a shortage of AstraZeneca doses and public hesitancy about the locally manufactured vaccine.

www.theage.com.au

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Perhaps a stupid question: what are the symptoms of blood clotting?

 

[MelMel]

Perhaps a stupid question: what are the symptoms of blood clotting?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Perhaps a stupid question: what are the symptoms of blood clotting?

I think it is a very good question.

In terms of what someone who gets vaccinated needs to look for:

Quick answer:

TTS is rare and occurs around 4-26 days after vaccination. Symptoms can include abdominal pain and/or severe headache that does not settle with pain relief. More information about TTS symptoms is in the patient information sheet on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome. People should seek medical attention immediately if they experience these symptoms.

You most likely will not have TTS, but if you exhibit the above then you need to get checked.



More detailed answer:

Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)
The COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca appears to be associated with a rare side effect called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

What is TTS?​

TTS involves blood clots (thrombosis) and low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia), In Australia symptoms of TTS have occurred between 4 and 26 days post-vaccination. The blood clots can occur in different parts of the body, such as the brain (called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis or CVST) or in the abdomen. The mechanism that causes TTS is not fully understood, but it appears similar to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (or HIT), a rare reaction to heparin treatment.

How common is TTS?​

Overall the rate of TTS is estimated to be about 6 cases per million people vaccinated. But the rate is estimated to be higher (20-40 cases per million) in those under 50 years of age. These Australian estimates are not exact because there are very small numbers of TTS cases in Australia.

What symptoms does thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome usually cause?​

TTS is rare and occurs around 4-26 days after vaccination. Symptoms can include abdominal pain and/or severe headache that does not settle with pain relief. More information about TTS symptoms is in the patient information sheet on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome. People should seek medical attention immediately if they experience these symptoms.

COVID-19 vaccine: Information for consumers and health professionals

Find answers to common questions about how the TGA assesses and monitors a vaccine for safety, quality and effectiveness.

www.health.gov.au

What symptoms does TTS usually cause?​

This condition can present as:

• a severe persistent headache with additional features:
• appears at least 4 days after vaccination
• does not improve with simple painkillers
• may be worse when lying down
• may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Both vaccines can have side effects.

If unsure use:

healthdirect Symptom Checker | healthdirect

healthdirect Symptom Checker

www.healthdirect.gov.au

• neurological symptoms such as:
• blurred vision
• difficulty with speech
• drowsiness
• seizures
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• swelling in your leg
• persistent abdominal (belly) pain
• tiny blood spots under the skin away from the site of injection.

People should seek medical attention immediately if they experience these symptoms.

More at: Patient information sheet on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

NSW Hub Vaccinations have gone up as more Pfizer has been made available including to non-priority people., and that there actually is a public hub now.

Overall NSW have been the strong users of GPs. In part possibly due to the lack of hubs. So people in NSW obviously very comfortable in using the GP Channel. As supply ramps up I expect that to only increase.






The Fed run channel in Vic is on the slow side. Odd when you consider the number of deaths in Aged Care in Vic that they have been on the slow side.

The two aged care facilities that I make visits to, both were only having residents have their first dose last week.

 

[jakeseven7]

NSW Hub Vaccinations have gone up as more Pfizer has been made available including to non-priority people., and that there actually is a public hub now.

Overall NSW have been the strong users of GPs. In part possibly due to the lack of hubs. So people in NSW obviously very comfortable in using the GP Channel. As supply ramps up I expect that to only increase.



View attachment 248342

View attachment 248343
The Fed run channel in Vic is on the slow side. Odd when you consider the number of deaths in Aged Care in Vic that they have been on the slow side.

The two aged care facilities that I make visits to, both were only having residents have their first dose last week.

View attachment 248344

NSW actually edged ahead of VIC (by about 200) which would be the first time in a long time which is good to see. Still tens of thousands behind the absolute non-GP totals though, has some work to do to catch up.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Unfortunately there has been too much fearmongering over AZ.

The age to be given AZ now really should be dropped back to say 40-odd now as they now have a much better understanding of what symptoms to look for, know to use the platelet test if required and have an appropriate treatment for the very rare blood clotting problem if it happens.

As in Game of Thrones, "Winter is Coming" and we as a nation will not be as prepared as well as we should be if we do not deploy the AZ vaccine as widely as it can safely be now that stocks are becoming more abundant.

The community will be best protected if as many people as possible are vaccinated as quickly as possible. And we as a nation will also be able to open up more quickly, as well as being able to remove more restrictions.

COVID complacency in winter will ‘bite you on the backside’

Victoria’s vaccination program is running well below capacity due to a shortage of AstraZeneca doses and public hesitancy about the locally manufactured vaccine.

www.theage.com.au

It’s really annoying. I have a friend in his early 50s. I told him that vaccinations were likely to open up to over 50 s. He was very excited and asked me to text him as soon as booking opened up and he would book, which I did. Last week caught up with him and asked whether he had an appointment. Nope he has decided to wait until the end of the year as he might get Pfizer. The clotting problem is worrying him (in spite of having discussed it with his GP) and in spite of the fact that he knows heaps of people who have been vaccinated with AZ without any issue. He feels he is always unlucky .....

 

[DC3]

... The clotting problem is worrying him (in spite of having discussed it with his GP) and in spite of the fact that he knows heaps of people who have been vaccinated with AZ without any issue. He feels he is always unlucky .....

You can lead a horse to water, but ................

 

[lovetravellingoz]

It’s really annoying. I have a friend in his early 50s. I told him that vaccinations were likely to open up to over 50 s. He was very excited and asked me to text him as soon as booking opened up and he would book, which I did. Last week caught up with him and asked whether he had an appointment. Nope he has decided to wait until the end of the year as he might get Pfizer. The clotting problem is worrying him (in spite of having discussed it with his GP) and in spite of the fact that he knows heaps of people who have been vaccinated with AZ without any issue. He feels he is always unlucky .....

He may get unlucky if we have another wave and he is not vaccinated..

Even Taiwan which had one of the best records with Covid is now having a surge and people who had ignored getting vaccinated are discovering that it is in short supply.

Singapore and Taiwan were hailed as COVID-19 success stories. Now they're seeing a spike in case numbers

Taiwan and Singapore have been considered model countries for controlling the pandemic, but both governments are now tightening restrictions to fight a recent surge in cases.

www.sbs.com.au

 

[burmans]

He may get unlucky if we have another wave and he is not vaccinated..

Even Taiwan which had one of the best records with Covid is now having a surge and people who had ignored getting vaccinated are discovering that it is in short supply.

Singapore and Taiwan were hailed as COVID-19 success stories. Now they're seeing a spike in case numbers

Taiwan and Singapore have been considered model countries for controlling the pandemic, but both governments are now tightening restrictions to fight a recent surge in cases.

www.sbs.com.au

Well this is true of Australia too. We are too busy being self congratulatory that we have won the battle that we have lost sight of the fact we haven’t won the war!

 

[Flying mermaid]

He may get unlucky if we have another wave and he is not vaccinated..

Even Taiwan which had one of the best records with Covid is now having a surge and people who had ignored getting vaccinated are discovering that it is in short supply.

Singapore and Taiwan were hailed as COVID-19 success stories. Now they're seeing a spike in case numbers

Taiwan and Singapore have been considered model countries for controlling the pandemic, but both governments are now tightening restrictions to fight a recent surge in cases.

www.sbs.com.au

I have pointed this out .......I will carry on nagging. He is the last of my close friends not to be vaccinated.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I booked appointments for 2 of my daughters (eligible family of frontline HCW) at the Sydney Hub. Very efficient registration link and they will both have their first Pfizer early June.