The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[justinbrett]

I am all for a multi channel approach but you seem to be quite negatively biased against GP delivery of vaccines. It is as important as mass vacc clinics

You seem to be biased against GP vaccination delivery. Only about 10% of our patients took up offer for State hub/ respiratory clinics despite us pushing them towards it. Now we have adequate supply, barely anyone wants to go there. I think we will play more important role in reducing vaccine hesitation rather than any media campaigns. Trust is the issue. This is not a money making exercise for us but part of our community obligation

How am I biased for stating a population fact?

 

[Flying mermaid]

Vaccination stakes update. In spite of a really good week - our best ever - we still dropped back to 81st position with Jordan and Mauritius overtaking us. We are very close to India now and I am hopeful that a strong week next week will see us push back into 70s.

 

[digpomi]

How am I biased for stating a population fact?

Sorry, not directed at you

 

[Lynda2475]

In good news today Hunt yielded and said over 50s not willing to get AZ will be able to wait and get an MRNA vaccine after the 12-50s have been vaccinated. The penny is finally dropping, that its not vaccine hesitancy but rather AZ hesitancy (clotting rate is now 1/100k).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Hunt on the importance of broad access to Pfizer and GPs and Pharmacies being included in that aspect of the rollout.

But also, just spent an hour with the Prime Minister and Brendan Murphy and the teams from different departments focusing on that rollout for the rest of the year. Which includes the capacity for GPs and for pharmacies to play a greater role in the Pfizer part of the rollout.​

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So we want to make sure that it’s spread around the country at points of presence. Why is there this mass take up now of vaccination? Because people want to be vaccinated. But also because they have access.​

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There is a very important development, and that important development is, we’ve seen originally, the very challenging Pfizer distribution requirement with regards to cold temperatures. Now we’re an interim phase, and we’re then examining the capacity to store Pfizer at refrigerator levels has been approved by the European jurisdiction for the Australian context.​

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And that will open up General Practice and pharmac_ options with Pfizer. So that’s a very important development. TGA will assess it, but they work very closely with their European and North American counterparts.​

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Press conference in Brisbane with an update on COVID-19 and the vaccination rollout

Read the transcript of the press conference with Minister Hunt in Brisbane with an update on COVID-19 and the vaccination rollout on 19 May 2021.

www.health.gov.au

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[mviy]

over 50s not willing to get AZ will be able to wait and get an MRNA vaccine after the 12-50s have been vaccinated.

They may not be given very long to get it though before international border restrictions begin to significantly ease, I suspect as that would be at the end of the vaccine rollout.

 

[trevella]

They may not be given very long to get it though before international border restrictions begin to significantly ease, I suspect as that would be at the end of the vaccine rollout.

 

[Flying mermaid]

In good news today Hunt yielded and said over 50s not willing to get AZ will be able to wait and get an MRNA vaccine after the 12-50s have been vaccinated. The penny is finally dropping, that its not vaccine hesitancy but rather AZ hesitancy (clotting rate is now 1/100k).

The clotting rate for women taking the pill is some large factor more than that - 10 times maybe. Yet we never see pill hesitancy (or hysterical news items detailing every one).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

ATAGI reports weekly and their latest report is now out.

ATAGI considered updated estimates of risk of TTS by age group in Australia and note that 20 cases have been confirmed and a further 3 are considered probable in around 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca given up to 5 May 2021. Although estimates of risk based on small numbers of cases are imprecise, the risk of TTS is estimated in Australia at around:​

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• 2.8 per 100,000 in those <50 years; and
• 1.4 per 100,000 in those ≥50 years.

Of the cases of TTS reported after vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine in Australia, one of these patients had a fatal outcome. All other patients are stable or recovering.​

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It is difficult to compare rates of TTS with those in other countries due to differences in case definition and assessment, but the rates reported in Australia are broadly similar to those reported in the UK and Europe. However, the cases seen in Australia have presented somewhat differently to those in the UK and Europe, which may reflect the high case ascertainment and early case detection in Australia.​

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Clinical awareness of TTS is high and suspected cases are rapidly investigated in Australia: this may explain why the majority of Australian cases have recovered or are expected to recover. Notwithstanding this, ATAGI also notes that additional data is needed to understand causal relationship for cases that are under investigation.​

ATAGI update following weekly COVID-19 meeting – 19 May 2021

An update from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) following their weekly meeting on 19 May 2021.

www.health.gov.au

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All confirmed and probable cases of TTS so far (with the exception of the fatality of a 48-year-old woman from NSW) are recovering and stable. The information currently available to the TGA indicates that 21 of the patients are out of hospital, while the two that remain in hospital are responding to treatment and stable.​

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COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report - 20-05-2021

Information about the TGA's safety monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines

www.tga.gov.au

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So with TTS at present in Australia:

• Those now vaccinated with AZ know to look for abdominal pain and/or severe headache that do not settle with pain relief in the period of 4-26 days after vaccination..
• Appropriate treatments are now available
• Now that it is being specifically looked for the number of cases is not surprisingly higher. If you don't look, you do not find the not so serious cases.
• Clinicians also now know to use the platelet test.
• However this also means that people receive treatment in a timely manner
• Since it was realised what was causing TTS including the treatments no deaths have occurred in Australia

With Pfizer this week's discussion included:

Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine​

Side effects to the Comirnaty vaccine continue to be reported to the TGA and are consistent with what has been observed internationally. This week, describe the reporting of diarrhoea and vomiting as a suspected side effect of the Comirnaty vaccine.​

Diarrhoea and vomiting​

Diarrhoea and vomiting can occur following vaccination with the Comirnaty vaccine. These adverse events were recently added to the Product Information for Comirnaty based on post-market adverse event data.​

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Vomiting and diarrhoea have been commonly reported in Australia after vaccination with Comirnaty. To 16 May 2021, the TGA has received 281 reports of diarrhoea and 335 reports of vomiting following vaccination with the Comirnaty vaccine. Of those who reported duration, most said they were better after two days. We have also received around 1000 reports listing nausea as a suspected side effect.​

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These are expected side effects from this vaccine, and are reasonably common side effects for many medicines and vaccines more broadly. Clinical trials of the Comirnaty vaccine reported just under 3% of people experienced gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.​

 

[Lynda2475]

The clotting rate for women taking the pill is some large factor more than that - 10 times maybe. Yet we never see pill hesitancy (or hysterical news items detailing every one).

Irrelevant comparison as there are many alternative forms of contraception with zero clotting risk which are readily available.

Whereas the only choice offered for those over 50 not willing to risk the different type of clots caused by AZ in Australia has been not to get vaccinated, at least now they can wait for safer option.

If you choose to take the pill or AZ you choose to accept that clot risk. Many will prefer to take different options. Choice (rather than undue pressure) is the key to uptake.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Irrelevant comparison as there are many alternative forms of contraception with zero clotting risk which are readily available.

Whereas the only choice offered for those over 50 not willing to risk the different type of clots caused by AZ in Australia has been not to get vaccinated, at least now they can wait for safer option.

If you choose to take the pill or AZ you choose to accept that clot risk. Many will prefer to take different options. Choice (rather than undue pressure) is the key to uptake.

My point is that millions of women are taking the pill without knowing of the clot risk because it hasn’t been hyped up by people and the media

 

[Lynda2475]

They may not be given very long to get it though before international border restrictions begin to significantly ease, I suspect as that would be at the end of the vaccine rollout.

They only need 4 weeks (or 5 for Moderna). Better they get vaccinated late than not at all.

Also highly unlikely borders will just open to all at once. It will be a controlled opening staged as countries gain control of their case loads and for vaccinated people only. It wont be a free for all.

 

[Lynda2475]

My point is that millions of women are taking the pill without knowing of the clot risk because it hasn’t been hyped up by people and the media

Disagree, in Australia the pill isnt OTC, you need a doctor consult for a prescription and they talk through other options and the potential side effects before giving the prescription. Plus its mentioned on the leaflet inside the pack. Millions may choose to ignore the risk, just like millions are choosing to risk AZ, but you cant claim they arent made aware of it.

The news is great because now more people will get vaccinated than if AZ was their only option.

 

[burmans]

Disagree, in Australia the pill isnt OTC, you need a doctor consult for a prescription and they talk through other options and the potential side effects before giving the prescription. Plus its mentioned on the leaflet inside the pack. Millions may choose to ignore the risk, just like millions are choosing to risk AZ, but you cant claim they arent made aware of it.

The news is great because now more people will get vaccinated than if AZ was their only option.

For me the bigger point is the pill keeps being used despite any risks.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Disagree, in Australia the pill isnt OTC, you need a doctor consult for a prescription and they talk through other options and the potential side effects before giving the prescription. Plus its mentioned on the leaflet inside the pack. Millions may choose to ignore the risk, just like millions are choosing to risk AZ, but you cant claim they arent made aware of it.

The news is great because now more people will get vaccinated than if AZ was their only option.

I asked Dr FM and she didn’t believe most doctors talk through the risks unless they detect some sort of relevant history, nor did she believe most women read the leaflet.

Anyway you don’t like that comparison let’s use another statistic. Road toll is about 1100.
That equates to 110 per 2.5 million each year.
AZ deaths 1 per 2.5 million.

 

[N860CR]

Anyway you don’t like that comparison let’s use another statistic. Road toll is about 1100.
That equates to 110 per 2.5 million each year.
AZ deaths 1 per 2.5 million.

Sadly, people who were seemingly sane and lived normal lives (along with associated risk) seem to have fallen into a trap of believing the only outcome from this pandemic for them is something that presents zero risk.

The AZ vs Pfizer thing is laughable. When have we ever analysed anything we take or are given to this level? Every single drug we take presents a level of risk. Pfizer, contrary to popular belief, presents risks like any other vaccine.

 

[Lynda2475]

Roll toll also has zero relevance to vaccine risk. The only relevant comparison is AZ vs Pfizer since these are the only two covid vaccines available in Australia right now.

Its not about zero risk, its about weighing up risk and choosing the lowest risk. Pfizer is the safer option over AZ.

AZ it is not recommended for under 50s here, yet you AZ fans think you know better and that those of us eligible for an mrna shouod ignore the medical advice and take AZ just because the feds over invested in it.

Number of covid deaths in Australia in women under 50 = 0, number of AZ deaths = 1. How many Australians have been hospitalised following AZ vs Pfizer?

Risk appetite varies between individuals.

If you are under 50 and weigh risk and decide to get AZ anyway by signing the waiver (and fact that you need to sign a waiver should raise questions) then that is your choice. But making that choice doesnt make you smarter or better, it makes you more of a risk taker wrt your health. Me, I'll take the better odds of Pfizer.

Not everyone just blindly takes medications.

There needs to be a benefit for taking the risk, that you cant get for not taking the risk.

 

[N860CR]

Number of covid deaths in Australia in women under 50 = 0, number of AZ deaths = 1. How many Australians have been hospitalised following AZ vs Pfizer?

Is that a comparable sample size?

(and fact that you need to sign a waiver should raise questions)

Ever been to hospital before?

Sorry, you’re cherry-picking data. The fact that you’re using terms like “AZ fans” is laughable.

Both are safe, effective vaccines that are on par with everything else we’re given (if not far exceeding)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Is that a comparable sample size?

Clearly not as more have been vaccinated, than have caught Covid in Australia..


Though one also could ask how many deaths in Australia have resulted from Covid 19 through being transmitted through women under 50 who was not vaccinated? Answer would be a lot more than one.

The true value of a vaccination program is the community benefit rather than the individual benefit.

The more quickly more people get safely vaccinated, the less likely that transmission chains can thrive.

The more quickly more people get safely vaccinated, the more the whole population gets protected included those who cannot get vaccinated.

Slowing the vaccination rate increases community risk.


And then on top of that there are the many economic and mental health benefits from vaccinating our population more quickly.


Using a combination of vaccines that are available in Australia will achieve a better outcome than it we say relied on just mRNA alone.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Roll toll also has zero relevance to vaccine risk. The only relevant comparison is AZ vs Pfizer since these are the only two covid vaccines available in Australia right now.

Its not about zero risk, its about weighing up risk and choosing the lowest risk. Pfizer is the safer option over AZ.

AZ it is not recommended for under 50s here, yet you AZ fans think you know better and that those of us eligible for an mrna shouod ignore the medical advice and take AZ just because the feds over invested in it.

Number of covid deaths in Australia in women under 50 = 0, number of AZ deaths = 1. How many Australians have been hospitalised following AZ vs Pfizer?

Risk appetite varies between individuals.

If you are under 50 and weigh risk and decide to get AZ anyway by signing the waiver (and fact that you need to sign a waiver should raise questions) then that is your choice. But making that choice doesnt make you smarter or better, it makes you more of a risk taker wrt your health. Me, I'll take the better odds of Pfizer.

Not everyone just blindly takes medications.

There needs to be a benefit for taking the risk, that you cant get for not taking the risk.

Don’t put words in my mouth. If you read what I have written over the last month I have never said anyone under 50 should have AZ. I believe in following the Australian Medical advice (although my 29 year old daughter and 31 year old son-in-law have both had AZ).

Edit. You were the one applauding that OVER 50s can wait and get an mRNA vaccine at the end - maybe next year? How slowing down our vaccination rate even further is helpful in moving the country forward I have no idea.

I just think the hysteria over AZ is not statistically justified and is rather pathetic.

Dr FM said her friends in England who are all 30ish and rushing to get AZ are bemused by what is happening in Australia.