On 28/06/2021 at 06:11, ManDee said:

"Australia has now joined a growing number of European countries to have suspended the AstraZeneca vaccine over the past ten days, including Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania and The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Spain."

This is just BS. None of those countries have suspended AZ. I'm in France, I get my second AZ this week. Germany continues to inject 100K+ AZ doses per day (up to 11 million now). As for Spain:

"Spain to lift suspension of AstraZeneca vaccine for second dose in people under 60"

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/spain-lift-suspension-astrazeneca-vaccine-second-dose-people-under-60-2021-05-19/

etc. etc.

  On 28/06/2021 at 06:11, ManDee said:

"Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) updated its guidance, now recommending that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna are the preferred second doses for those who took AstraZeneca as their first."

https://globalnews.ca/news/7959406/covid-vaccine-mrna-astrazeneca-canada/

Did you even read the article? They're preferred because recent studies have shown that mixing vaccines can give increased protection. (Also because there's limited availability of AZ in North America, as production is centred in the UK and Europe.)

“I wish to emphasize that people who received two doses of AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine should rest assured that the vaccine they received provides good protection against infection, and very good protection against severe disease and hospitalization.”

and

“We still know from the information that we’re seeing here in B.C., but also primarily in the U.K., where a lot of AstraZeneca has been used, that vaccine effectiveness is very good for both AstraZeneca and the mRNA vaccines,”

Visited my local community health centre in Melbourne today to get a prescription for an unrelated matter. I was advised that my second Astrazeneca jab, due in a few weeks, was full-steam ahead and to ignore the false news being spread by uninformed sources. If there is a change, endorsed by the Federal government, the clinic will inform me directly. I'm happy with that.

Yesterday Jon Ralph was all over Fox Footy and the Herald Sun telling everyone hubs and a footy frenzy were on the cards.

Today:

 

  On 28/06/2021 at 05:15, old dee said:

I find the last two days the funniest I have been through in nearly two years. WA has one case and locks everyone out of the football and today a 100% increase to 2 cases and the end of the world is nigh. Qld goes from 2-3 and a SEQLD lockdown is discussed as close. SA has no cases but introduces restrictions and mask wearing. Monty Python 21st century.

I just heard on the news that singing is not allowed in SA

  On 28/06/2021 at 07:02, WalkingCivilWar said:

I just heard on the news that singing is not allowed in SA

Where they have no cases.

  On 28/06/2021 at 07:02, WalkingCivilWar said:

I just heard on the news that singing is not allowed in SA

is touching balls still banned?

  On 28/06/2021 at 07:07, daisycutter said:

is touching balls still banned?

Depends DC!!!!!

  On 28/06/2021 at 07:07, daisycutter said:

is touching balls still banned?

Only other people's......

  On 28/06/2021 at 08:23, binman said:

Only other people's......

Not sure that is 100% the case binman, largely depends on who is the toucher! 

  On 28/06/2021 at 00:51, Superunknown said:

Do you have any reports/data to the effect the contact tracers didn't know he existed?

Contact tracing relies on what people tell them.

Tracked down original article in The Age. The guy came down to Melbourne on the Sunday. Began feeling sick on the Tuesday, tested and confirmed on the Wednesday. No report of any involvement at all by the NSW contact tracers. 

  On 28/06/2021 at 06:51, maximum bob said:

Visited my local community health centre in Melbourne today to get a prescription for an unrelated matter. I was advised that my second Astrazeneca jab, due in a few weeks, was full-steam ahead and to ignore the false news being spread by uninformed sources. If there is a change, endorsed by the Federal government, the clinic will inform me directly. I'm happy with that.

Go for it.

The very rare risk is with the first jab.

For the second jab TTS is almost unheard of on a worldwide or local basis.

The change which would be nice but it's not going to happen is to be offered Pfizer/Moderna for the second dose. Increasingly overseas test are showing that AZ and Pfizer/Moderna is a powerful combo. An early German study suggests AZ+ Pfizer = 2 doses of Pfizer multiplied by 4 in the level of antibodies.

The advice never changes however.. the best vaccine is the one that's available.

As an aside China's planned production for covid vaccines this year exceeds 8 billion doses... just amazing

  On 28/06/2021 at 08:58, Diamond_Jim said:

The change which would be nice but it's not going to happen is to be offered Pfizer/Moderna for the second dose.

Yes, what's being proposed ... in countries where Pfizer is widely available. (e.g. Canada).

Interesting as well that Spain have gone the other way: given that incidence of TTS is almost non-existant with AZ second dose, they've opened up second doses of AZ to under 60's. So, Pfizer (or whatever) first, AZ second, to all age groups.

And just now it has been announced, after the meeting of the national cabinet, by slowmo that 'anyone' (but I am assuming that means adult over 18 age) can go to their gp and get an Az shot.

Get to it younguns. And everyone else.

 

  On 28/06/2021 at 11:06, binman said:

And just now it has been announced, after the meeting of the national cabinet, by slowmo that 'anyone' (but I am assuming that means adult over 18 age) can go to their gp and get an Az shot.

Get to it younguns. And everyone else.

 

With the negative publicity around AZ, that vaccine is as good as dead in Australia. When you have the medical board say you should only get it if you’re over 60, but hell if you don’t hold us responsible for damages you can get it at any age, that is hardly a ringing endorsement. 
I desperately want to get vaccinated, but since I’m probably the next group up for Pfizer I rather wait another couple of months and get something that has proven safer and more effective. I would however be open to get AZ as a second dose if studies prove to be correct regarding increased immunity. 
The vaccine roll out has been a PR disaster on every level in this country. We are rolling out vaccinations that would normally take years to approve, within 12 months of their development. People are hesitant to put that into their bodies, and all the government has done is magnified the problems rather than highlight the benefits. No wonder people aren’t running for AZ.

Then you have Israel, who’s prime minister said today they will vaccinate all 12-16 years olds across the country in the next 11 days. And they will. Such is the luxury of their amazing vaccination rollout. While my old [censored] can’t get half a vile of Pfizer 18 months into the pandemic. 

Edited June 28, 20213 yr by Jaded

They'll do well to reel in the virus in Sydney/NSW in 2 weeks.  They could be in lockdown for an extended period of time

Then the danger is that this varient (Delta) could spread outside that State.  Too many getting exemptions into other States spells trouble

Finger pointing helps no one ... the rest of Australia needs NSW to overcome this latest outbreak

The aim is elimination not containment ... this virus can't be contained

Vaccinations has been slow in NZ as well ... the mindset is completely different when the disease isn't spread about like it is in nearly every other country

Edited June 28, 20213 yr by Macca

McGowan's just announced Perth's going into a four-day lockdown from midnight tonight after a third case was discovered.

That will run until midnight Friday at the earliest.

Aside from the country starting to spiral out of control, you'd have to think the Fremantle-Carlton game will be moved from Perth.

  On 28/06/2021 at 11:54, Jaded said:

With the negative publicity around AZ, that vaccine is as good as dead in Australia. When you have the medical board say you should only get it if you’re over 60, but hell if you don’t hold us responsible for damages you can get it at any age, that is hardly a ringing endorsement. 
I desperately want to get vaccinated, but since I’m probably the next group up for Pfizer I rather wait another couple of months and get something that has proven safer and more effective. I would however be open to get AZ as a second dose if studies prove to be correct regarding increased immunity. 
The vaccine roll out has been a PR disaster on every level in this country. We are rolling out vaccinations that would normally take years to approve, within 12 months of their development. People are hesitant to put that into their bodies, and all the government has done is magnified the problems rather than highlight the benefits. No wonder people aren’t running for AZ.

Then you have Israel, who’s prime minister said today they will vaccinate all 12-16 years olds across the country in the next 11 days. And they will. Such is the luxury of their amazing vaccination rollout. While my old [censored] can’t get half a vile of Pfizer 18 months into the pandemic. 

I thought you wanted this to be over Jaded?

There is only one path. As many Australians as possible getting vaccinated as soon as they can. Like now.

If everyone takes your approach and waits two months we'll never get out of this.

 

Didn't think they would have the required intestinal fortitude.

Let's jab together !! ..... and enjoy next summer !!

PS... notice that the indemnity scheme is through the GP system.  None of the Premiers appear to have asked for a flow down to the mass vaccination centres

 

Edited June 28, 20213 yr by Diamond_Jim

  On 28/06/2021 at 12:33, binman said:

I thought you wanted this to be over Jaded?

There is only one path. As many Australians as possible getting vaccinated as soon as they can. Like now.

If everyone takes your approach and waits two months we'll never get out of this.

 

I don’t disagree but I have my own medical reasons why I want to wait for Pfizer. A vaccine that should have been available here months ago if we just got it right. 
I think you cannot expect women in their early 30s (think fertility, pregnancy etc) to run to get the AZ given the world wide advice surrounding the age restrictions and risks. Or anyone else for that matter. 
I applaud anyone who does and I will be first in line to get Pfizer when it’s available to me. But you cannot rubbish a vaccine and keep chopping and changing the medical advice around it for a year and then expect people to get it without hesitation. 

 

  On 28/06/2021 at 06:39, bing181 said:

This is just BS. None of those countries have suspended AZ. I'm in France, I get my second AZ this week. Germany continues to inject 100K+ AZ doses per day (up to 11 million now). As for Spain:

"Spain to lift suspension of AstraZeneca vaccine for second dose in people under 60"

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/spain-lift-suspension-astrazeneca-vaccine-second-dose-people-under-60-2021-05-19/

etc. etc.

Hey Bing that is a quote from the cited article. I didn't write it. I was asked for a source. Don't shoot the messenger.

  On 28/06/2021 at 06:50, bing181 said:

Did you even read the article? They're preferred because recent studies have shown that mixing vaccines can give increased protection. (Also because there's limited availability of AZ in North America, as production is centred in the UK and Europe.)

“I wish to emphasize that people who received two doses of AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine should rest assured that the vaccine they received provides good protection against infection, and very good protection against severe disease and hospitalization.”

and

“We still know from the information that we’re seeing here in B.C., but also primarily in the U.K., where a lot of AstraZeneca has been used, that vaccine effectiveness is very good for both AstraZeneca and the mRNA vaccines,”

Yes I did read the article. Did you read what I said or are you religiously indignant?

What I said was, "It may turn out that the mRNA's have more side effects than AZ, but I think that any vaccine is preferable to getting Covid 19"

Edited June 28, 20213 yr by ManDee
Typo & quote

I really think people do not understand that the issues with AZ (and any other drug) are all about risk management. When Covid numbers are low (or non-existent), the risks associated with having the AZ vaccination are considered to be higher than catching Covid. Hence, the recommendation not to use it. When the numbers of Covid increase and ergo the chances of catching it increase, the risks associated with AZ are no longer as problematic as the risk of catching and being affected by Covid. That's when the health advice changes to recommending people have an AZ shot.

That leads to two conclusions. Firstly, the AZ vaccine is still a fine product which will provide protection, albeit with a very small risk of ill effects for some people. Secondly, when you chop and change the advice - based on sound risk-based probability analysis - it can be too late, because in doing so, you've unfairly and unnecessarily trashed the brand.

 

Edited June 28, 20213 yr by La Dee-vina Comedia
typo

  On 28/06/2021 at 13:00, Jaded said:

I don’t disagree but I have my own medical reasons why I want to wait for Pfizer. A vaccine that should have been available here months ago if we just got it right. 
I think you cannot expect women in their early 30s (think fertility, pregnancy etc) to run to get the AZ given the world wide advice surrounding the age restrictions and risks. Or anyone else for that matter. 
I applaud anyone who does and I will be first in line to get Pfizer when it’s available to me. But you cannot rubbish a vaccine and keep chopping and changing the medical advice around it for a year and then expect people to get it without hesitation. 

Be mindful of the heart inflammation risks from Pfizer in younger males: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/myocarditis.html