Vaccine Rollout in Australia - personal accounts.

[Flashback]

So just received a text from my nearby medical centre, advising yearly flu shots are now available and to make a booking online.

But no texts about the Covid vaccine and no online booking option for that - I have to phone them.

Why are they making it so annoying? Just let me look online, pick a time and do it. If I have to phone and dither about with dates, time ect, I dont make the effort.

Agree. The GP clinics make it so much harder by not signing up for Hotdoc which is what they were supposed to do. My GP clinic has used this for medical bookings for months, likely years now and it's so easy. They aren't doing Covid shots but I still found a nearby clinic doing them through hotdoc anyway.

Have said it before and will say it again.. one of the things UK GPs do well. All online booking here and a piece of cake. COVID vaccination appointments included.

I've been giving away some of the things The Teen tidied up in their bedroom. Some items have been successful, others not so much ... got no takers for the whoopee cushion that I listed!

Ah, thank you! That reminds me I wanted to buy one in time for Mrs FBs birthday. I won't be creating mischief at all....

 

[Lynda2475]

An interesting (and may be entirely coincidental observation) is that of everyone in my team that got a fly jab yesterday, the one person who has ended up with a lump at the injection site is the only person who has also had a AZ shot 4 weeks ago (she is well under 50 but part of 1B).

 

[Flying mermaid]

Had my second Pfizer shot at the ACT Surge Centre this morning. So far, same as first shot - no adverse effect.
Interestingly, when I left there was no-one waiting either in the Pf waiting room or outside the facility and the AZ waiting room was also empty.
Don't know what is happening there, but this vaccination is something the ACT local govt seems to have got right - kudos to them.

I actually disagree. I think they have got the actual vaccination process going really well. We had our first jabs today and it flowed beautifully. Sat for 5 minutes in the waiting room. In to get our jabs, sat in the same chair for the 15 minutes, then out through the checkout person and into the car park. Absolutely immaculate. There was even a greeter to ask which jab we were having and to open the door to the correct clinic with a big smile.

the thing that seems a shambles is that people aren’t being allowed into the clinic to get their jabs even when eligible. I have come across a few people who are eligible for Pfizer and are given the Garran number to phone and are put off by the message saying it is only for frontline workers and hang up.

our Astra Zeneca clinic was not fully utilised and yet the Health Minister is in the paper putting people off phoning Garran. I hope this changes next week when Calvary is due to open up as an AZ clinic and Garran becomes Pfizer only, but they really need to run a campaign advertising where you can get AZ. I have helped over 15 people get vaccinated - all of whom were confused and not knowing what to do once their GP said it would take a long time to get vaccinated.

 

[JohnM]

In PER, I just fronted up to the vaccination centre at the Claremont showgrounds without an appointment about noon on Tuesday after going to the beach for a run and a swim.

Registered immediately, then about 15 mins orderly seated wait for injection, immediately made appointment for #2, slurped a free orange juice, then shot through after about 5 mins. Stuff waiting around for 15 mins.

It was all very efficient. Took my WHO Int Vac Certificate and had it entered on that as well as MyHealth. Too easy.

I’m in 1b, but there was no mention of group. My partner is in group 2a and she just walked into the same clinic a week before me and was done just as quickly.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We were given a lollipop - it was actually quite relaxing to sit there sucking a lollipop for 15 minutes and playing on this forum

so far I am feeling fine - not even a sore arm. I guess that cuts in tomorrow.

 

[JohnM]

We were given a lollipop - it was actually quite relaxing to sit there sucking a lollipop for 15 minutes and playing on this forum

so far I am feeling fine - not even a sore arm. I guess that cuts in tomorrow.

I had got up to date on emails/AFF while waiting for 15 mins to get jabbed, so I was out of there immediately I was done.

I have not had any side effects whatsoever. Don’t talk yourself into something.

 

[Flashback]

Adam's wife is Australian so not an issue. Although she has mostly stayed in Aus with the kids.

My response was in relation to Aus citizens of course if you are trying to bring other nationalities with you different rules apply. That is not unique to Covid travel, there are always different rules re entry and visas.

Yes but to give you an idea, an Irish passport holder applying for an Aussie 'tourist' visa usually approves in a few minutes. The last time we applied, in COVID times, it took about 2 months.

In PER, I just fronted up to the vaccination centre at the Claremont showgrounds without an appointment about noon on Tuesday after going to the beach for a run and a swim.

Registered immediately, then about 15 mins orderly seated wait for injection, immediately made appointment for #2, slurped a free orange juice, then shot through after about 5 mins. Stuff waiting around for 15 mins.

It was all very efficient. Took my WHO Int Vac Certificate and had it entered on that as well as MyHealth. Too easy.

I’m in 1b, but there was no mention of group. My partner is in group 2a and she just walked into the same clinic a week before me and was done just as quickly.

The 15 minute wait after, if you had Pfizer (not required for AZ) is for your safety, in case of a reaction.

 

[Lynda2475]

I was lead to believe that the vaccine would be recorded against Medicare number and Service NSW account (or whatever other states have), not a My Health record. I (like many) opted out of My Health (and have no intention of opting in due to potential of misuse of information) but I do want a vaccine certificate.

If my health gets hacked someone has your whole medical history and Feds never gave proper assurance that information wouldnt be mined for other purposes. Whereas I dont give two hoots if someone knows Ive been vaccinated.

 

[Lynda2475]

The 15 minute wait after, if you had Pfizer (not required for AZ) is for your safety, in case of a reaction.

In NSW 15 min wait is required for both Pfizer and AZ, my folks weren't allowed to leave until 15 mins later their AZ shots. You can have an anaphylactic reaction to either if your so inclined - its wrong to imply AZ is safer.

 

[JohnM]

I had AZ, which was the only one on offer at the Claremont centre, and they indicate to wait 15 mins, but did not appear to be trying to enforce it. In any event, how can they?

They had a couple of staff at the exit, I guess to try to ensure some compliance with the 15 minutes. But they would not have been easily able to see who had gone and sat down for 1 minute or 15 minutes, given that people exited the vaccination area and sat at random in the large combined dose 2 booking area/post-jab waiting area.

 

[Pushka]

I was lead to believe that the vaccine would be recorded against Medicare number and Service NSW account (or whatever other states have), not a My Health record. I (like many) opted out of My Health (and have no intention of opting in due to potential of misuse of information) but I do want a vaccine certificate.

If my health gets hacked someone has your whole medical history and Feds never gave proper assurance that information wouldnt be mined for other purposes. Whereas I dont give two hoots if someone knows Ive been vaccinated.

It will appear in your Medicare Profile.

 

[drron]

In NSW 15 min wait is required for both Pfizer and AZ, my folks weren't allowed to leave until 15 mins later their AZ shots. You can have an anaphylactic reaction to either if your so inclined - its wrong to imply AZ is safer.

Or vice versa.

 

[Flashback]

In NSW 15 min wait is required for both Pfizer and AZ, my folks weren't allowed to leave until 15 mins later their AZ shots. You can have an anaphylactic reaction to either if your so inclined - its wrong to imply AZ is safer.

Is it? I don't know, millions and millions of people jabbed in the UK with AZ seem to indicate otherwise.

I had AZ, which was the only one on offer at the Claremont centre, and they indicate to wait 15 mins, but did not appear to be trying to enforce it. In any event, how can they?

They had a couple of staff at the exit, I guess to try to ensure some compliance with the 15 minutes. But they would not have been easily able to see who had gone and sat down for 1 minute or 15 minutes, given that people exited the vaccination area and sat at random in the large combined dose 2 booking area/post-jab waiting area.

Interesting they've gone the approach of doing it for AZ too, the UK (which I do think has a pretty good idea of how it all goes..........) primarily jabs AZ, doesn't require; but does for Pfizer.

 

[jonboixxx]

I (like many) opted out of My Health

Likewise. My AZ 1st dose is in the immunisation pdf on Medicare app.

 

[Lynda2475]

s it? I don't know, millions and millions of people jabbed in the UK with AZ seem to indicate otherwise.

Millions and Millions of people also been jabbed with Pfizer all over the world.

Despite the tiny number of vaccinations given here to date there has been at least 1 proven anaphylaxis due to AZ see below - hence why they ask you to wait.

AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19 vaccine: no evidence of increased risk of anaphylaxis

Update - Expert review finds no evidence of increased risk of anaphylaxis

www.tga.gov.au

The UK are free to have a double standard, but here in Australia you are supposed to wait the 15 mins for both Covid Vaccine types.

 

[Pushka]

It will appear in your Medicare Profile.

 

[Lynda2475]

Thanks for sharing @Puskha. Must log in tonight to see if my fluvax from yesterday is there like yours. When I checked a month ago none of my past fluvax or other immunizations such as yellow fever, Hep B, Rabies, MMR, Typoid etc were showing.

Next time I go to travel clinic (likely to be years away since we are locked in so no need for boosters) I must find out why they don't update on medicare.

I wonder if where you get vaccinated (for non covid things) makes a difference? All recent fluvax have been a work places except last year and all my adult vaccinations at travel gp clinic (paid not bulk billed) and always updated in the yellow book that stores with passport that you need to show to enter yellow fever countries.

 

[Pushka]

Thanks for sharing @Puskha. Must log in tonight to see if my fluvax from yesterday is there like yours. When I checked a month ago none of my past fluvax or other immunizations such as yellow fever, Hep B, Rabies, MMR, Typoid etc were showing.

Next time I go to travel clinic (likely to be years away since we are locked in so no need for boosters) I must find out why they don't update on medicare.

I wonder if where you get vaccinated (for non covid things) makes a difference? All recent fluvax have been a work places except last year and all my adult vaccinations at travel gp clinic (paid not bulk billed) and always updated in the yellow book that stores with passport that you need to show to enter yellow fever countries.

Husband had a lot more fluvax showing than I did. No idea why. No matter until Covid times anyway.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I had got up to date on emails/AFF while waiting for 15 mins to get jabbed, so I was out of there immediately I was done.

I have not had any side effects whatsoever. Don’t talk yourself into something.

I actually want to feel bad tomorrow, as it means I am generating a strong immune response

 

[blackcat20]

Mine is showing on Medicare, and Master Tomcats vaccinations from yesterday are already showing, so the statement is updated quickly.