The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[blackcat20]

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.

Family at Alfred health are only able to get AZ, regardless of age.

 

[Lynda2475]

Winter comming is fear mongering given no covid circulating in the community. With international borders remaining closed the risk of getting covid in June is no higher than it was in February, in fact should be lower given more HQ staff are fully vaccinated.

Outside of Victoria, last winter covid numbers werent materially higher in winter. In NSW more community cases in early Autumn (March) and early summer (December).

possibly due to the lack of hubs

Not possibly, definitely.

You are comparing 1 week of a state run hub (which currently only does Pfizer, no AZ until 24th) against Commonwealth supplied GPRCs and GPs which have been operating for months. There is a wait list and a huge standby for Olympic Park vs no wait list for GPRCs which still have plenty of same day AZ appointments available.

 

[mviy]

The SMH and The Age on the Front Page tomorrow are saying a poll of adult Australians indicates that 29% are 'unlikely' to get vaccinated against COVID-19

 

[lovetravellingoz]

For those that did not understand the Game of thrones "Winter is Coming" reference.

There are wights (CV19) behind the icewall (borders) that people have been protected behind for a long time that threaten to overcome us as sooner or later the wall will come down (either more breaches ad/or the borders being re-opened). To overcome the wights you need dragonglass (Pfizer) or valerian steel (AZ).

And as in Game of Thrones one can be proactive, or reactive.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

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!

Yes fully agree and that was exactly my point.

We as a nation can right now choose to better protect ourselves and also adapt to the Covid world, and right now we as in some individuals who are eligible today and we as a community are not doing as much as we easily can be.

ie

The SMH and The Age on the Front Page tomorrow are saying a poll of adult Australians indicates that 29% are 'unlikely' to get vaccinated against COVID-19

 

[jakeseven7]

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

When we have another wave.... will happen, just a matter of time, whether it’s by choice (opening borders) or by quarantine breach, it will happen. And people choosing to wait may realise too later their error. But you can lead a horse to water....

 

[Lynda2475]

More fear mongering re next wave to try and guilt people into accepting AZ even though 70% of population are not yet elible for any vaccine. There is NOTHING wrong with people waiting to get the vaccine type that is recommended for their circumstances.

Yes there will be cases from time to time from HQ breaches and when borders eventually open but likely this will result in a handful of controlled cases as has been recent experience rather than an actual wave (aka Melbourne style uncontrolled spread of 700 odd cases a day). We have behavioural levers not just vaccines.

If feds were to offer guaranteed compensation if you were to get a blood clot from AZ maybe more would take risk.

The other way to mop up the hesistant is by offering vaccine choice (which requires feds to get even more mrna vaccine doses), choice is a very powerful motivator, feeling like your being bullied into taking on unecessary risk because they gambled on AZ for majority only creates more resistance.

 

[Lynda2475]

NsW will be opening another mass vaccination hub in Newcastle as the Olympic Park already exceeding 30k doses a week in under 2 weeks of being open. More proof hubs are what the public (especially those of working age) want.

Online bookings, efficient check in, jab and departure is key to making it easy. Having to waste time phoning around to find a GP, then having wait in a waiting room full of sick people is much much less appealing.

 

[OATEK]

I think fear of AZ will eventually fade when the spread of Covid returns, as even medicos have been saying will happen. My daughter 40yo had AZ last week, because cases have been rising again in UK where she lives.

 

[drron]

I think fear of AZ will eventually fade when the spread of Covid returns, as even medicos have been saying will happen. My daughter 40yo had AZ last week, because cases have been rising again in UK where she lives.

AZ will not fade away totally.In fact it will be one of the most used vaccines.Just not in western countries.
It is far cheaper than the mRNA vaccines plus easier to transport so many countries in Asia,Africa and South America will use it or possibly the J&J or cheaper Chinese or Russian vaccines.
India will eventually produce a billion doses + and use it.It has been shown in India to be 97.8% effective against their B 1617 variant.

 

[jakeseven7]

AZ will not fade away totally.In fact it will be one of the most used vaccines.Just not in western countries.
It is far cheaper than the mRNA vaccines plus easier to transport so many countries in Asia,Africa and South America will use it or possibly the J&J or cheaper Chinese or Russian vaccines.
India will eventually produce a billion doses + and use it.It has been shown in India to be 97.8% effective against their B 1617 variant.

Yes it will continue to be used despite the incessent fear-mongering about it..... luckily it is subsiding (with a bit of filtering, even on here lol)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Out I curiosity I googled on booking online CV19 Vaccination at a GP in NSW.

I found

Healthengine

Find and book health appointments online, 24/7. View all available appointments in your local area and choose a time and place that suits you.

healthengine.com.au

I was able to make some dummy bookings at several different practices, from the 199 practices listed.

That only took minutes all up from google to booked, and no phone call required. It would seem to be very quick and easy to me.

59% of vaccinations to to date in NSW (ie Commonwealth, State and GP) have been delivered via the GP channel






In Vic you just go through Hotdocs to book in online for the GP channel.

At the GP Respiratory Clinics there are no queues, no waiting as they want you to arrive only for your slot.

No sick people if you select one of the GP run Respiratory Clinics.



It is only if you want to consult with a GP that you need to pick a practice where you can do so. If you do not need to consult with a GP then you just book in online and get vaccinated all very easily at a location convenient to oneself.

With Pfizer if you want to consult with a GP (whether your current one or a different one) it becomes a two venue process as you have to consult with a GP first, and then seek a vaccination booking elsewhere.


Hubs and Clinics are both very valid channels. You just pick what suits. Though those wanting Pfizer are very restricted as to where they can get it (In Vic it is about a dozen locations for Pfizer for the public).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Status (as of last night).

 

[OATEK]

Out I curiosity I googled on booking online CV19 Vaccination at a GP in NSW.

I found

Healthengine

Find and book health appointments online, 24/7. View all available appointments in your local area and choose a time and place that suits you.

healthengine.com.au

I was able to make some dummy bookings at several different practices, from the 199 practices listed.

That only took minutes all up from google to booked, and no phone call required. It would seem to be very quick and easy to me.

59% of vaccinations to to date in NSW (ie Commonwealth, State and GP) have been delivered via the GP channel






In Vic you just go through Hotdocs to book in online for the GP channel.

At the GP Respiratory Clinics there are no queues, no waiting as they want you to arrive only for your slot.

No sick people if you select one of the GP run Respiratory Clinics.



It is only if you want to consult with a GP that you need to pick a practice where you can do so. If you do not need to consult with a GP then you just book in online and get vaccinated all very easily at a location convenient to oneself.

With Pfizer if you want to consult with a GP (whether your current one or a different one) it becomes a two venue process as you have to consult with a GP first, and then seek a vaccination booking elsewhere.


Hubs and Clinics are both very valid channels. You just pick what suits. Though those wanting Pfizer are very restricted as to where they can get it (In Vic it is about a dozen locations for Pfizer for the public).

MrsOatek just had her first AZ jab at her GP (who also happens to be a personal friend, so they got to chatting). Their practice is doing 1 day a week and if they have any left over owing to no shows etc, they call a few people up and get them to come along.

I had my AZ shot through a different local practice that does their bookings through HotDoc. Just did it all online including filling in personal details and signing the disclaimer so that when I turned up was good to go.

It all seems very straight-forward if you really want to get the vaccine.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

MrsOatek just had her first AZ jab at her GP (who also happens to be a personal friend, so they got to chatting). Their practice is doing 1 day a week and if they have any left over owing to no shows etc, they call a few people up and get them to come along.

I had my AZ shot through a different local practice that does their bookings through HotDoc. Just did it all online including filling in personal details and signing the disclaimer so that when I turned up was good to go.

It all seems very straight-forward if you really want to get the vaccine.

Thank you for the WA perspective on GP Booking and agreed.

The problem we as a community have is that there is are lot of eligible over 50's for AZ who are despite supply now improving choosing to not get vaccinated at this time, or even perhaps ever.

 

[Batterytraveller]

Sounds like the Mass vaccination sites in Victoria are starting to Vax anyone that rolls up because they aren't getting the flow of eligible people. I live near the exhibition building and have a work thing by the convention centre so might see if I get lucky.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1394514461747073024

 

[Silvia]

Interestingly I found out recently that the Showgrounds hub in melbourne has Pfizer, which hasn't been publicised. I am waiting the 14 day period between my flu shot so that I can get the COVID vaccine.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Sounds like the Mass vaccination sites in Victoria are starting to Vax anyone that rolls up because they aren't getting the flow of eligible people. I live near the exhibition building and have a work thing by the convention centre so might see if I get lucky.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1394514461747073024

I just had a look.

She has a later edit:




and 34 minutes ago






The Vic Guidelines are

Book an appointment​

Book by calling the Victoria Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398. People who are eligible and under 50 years old need to book an appointment. If you need an interpreter, call the Victoria Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 and press 0.

Walk in appointments​

Walk ins are allowed at some of the vaccination centres although you are encouraged to book ahead by calling 1800 675 398.

• If you are eligible and under 50 years you need to book an appointment to get your COVID-19 vaccine. 
• If you walk in, you should be prepared to wait until an immuniser is free to provide you with a vaccine. For current wait times, see the list at the top of this page.
• There will be active queue management in place at these centres.
• Please be patient and understanding while health professionals work as hard as possible to vaccinate you quickly and safely.

If you are uncomfortable with the possibility of waiting outside, then we recommend you book an appointment with your GP to get your COVID-19 vaccine.



Note

So for Pfizer you need to book an appointment unless directly invited.
That the bigger hubs in Vic have done walk-ins for AZ once they completed their soft-opening for anyone who was eligible.
No queues at the GP Respiratory Clinics

 

[burmans]

Thank you for the WA perspective on GP Booking and agreed.

The problem we as a community have is that there is are lot of eligible over 50's for AZ who are despite supply now improving choosing to not get vaccinated at this time, or even perhaps ever.

My local GP (Sydney) has plenty of free spots over the next week!

 

[mviy]

Sounds like the Mass vaccination sites in Victoria are starting to Vax anyone that rolls up

You got my hopes up, which were then dashed when seeing a later post indicating that that is not the case. I'm keen to get vaccinated so that not being vaccinated doesn't stop me travelling when a travel bubble is hopefully opened up with the UK.