Another year at Least!
 

How do others feel about this four stage plan that first off all means most won't be vaccinated until April next year and second they will only open to countries with little to no cases so It could be 2023 or beyond before we see borders open to the US and Europe, families split apart while the rest of the world is starting to open up. How will Australia look when it's still locked away like a hermit with a skills shortage that is only growing while everyone else by that stage will be moving around in a recovering economy. The goal posts keep moving to impossible levels.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

Most of the population will be vaxxed in 6 months.

The 4 stages is slow but like anything in this pandemic, its a plan, subject to change.

The UK experiment will be followed closely by many countries.

Fingers crossed its successful, first and foremost no one wants the family and friends sick, but it will give us confidence if it works.

FWIW - part of the plan is to use home quarantine free of charge for 7 days for the fully vaxxed. That works for me providing its free reign come and go.

Personally I think they should be offering it up sooner for the fully vaxxed. Stuff like travel and tax breaks for getting vaxxed, rather than giving lottery tickets to entice the stragglers.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

Think 2025 I reckon.

I can't tell you how I feel about it cos I can no longer put it into words.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

Butting in from Hungary! (I often follow Oz threads as my sister lives in Melbourne)

Ref. the British "experiment".

In Hungary 70% of adults have had their first jab, 65% have been fully vaccinated.
Consequently, all restrictions (which generally amounted to "lockdown lite" compared to many Countries) were lifted this week, save only for restrictions on foreign visitors and a requirement for vax certificates for attendance at mass events.

Next few weeks / months will be interesting.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

I saw a full house at the stadium for one of the Euro games a few weeks back. I watched to see if there was a big increase in cases over the next week or 2. Barely any. Good work Hungary.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

that’s interesting, thanks. Don’t know why that hasn’t been in the news here. The sooner we can get vaccinated the better, I am loosing patience with ditherers!

Re: Another year at Least!
 

Although vaccination has been a debacle we are sleepwalking through it in Melbourne.
We may get to Spring, and with supply improving (I recall that there was a stutter in mid June) we may surprise ourselves. A lot of Victorians booked in during May when we hit lockdown 4.0 and did it quietly.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

Why has it been a debacle? Its going pretty well in my view given the global shortage of Pfizer and the fact there are other countries in which Pfizer is based, that had a greater need than us. If those pesky media dicks had read the AstraZeneca advice from the ATAGI and communicated that properly we would be well ahead of where we are.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

The national narrative and media show around Az.

I also think we are sleepwalking through it, though, and we will see some good stats by Sep especially if people do get Az through GPs (and Pf supply evens out again*)The 2nd Pfizer jabs are going ahead as we speak for the 40-49 cohort who rang up or turned up as Melb went into lockdown 4.0 so soon there will be a uplift in the fully jabbed. Shame about the 6w-12w lag of Az (my gripe) but, again, expect to see another jump then, in yes Sep.

*As early as mid June they suddenly slowed or stopped Pf just as the 40-49 cohort got going, but I understand the supply will be back on again soon.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

I was reading this morning that the government has secured more Pfizer from the 19th - 1m doses a week basically

Also read that a lot of the locally manufactured AZ that is not required in Australia is now going to Pacific nations - vaccine diplomacy

Re: Another year at Least!
 

I am in my 40's and got my second jab 3 weeks ago. I know many 40's who have been fully vaxxed for about a month now. I was actually slow. Its just takes initiative, nothing more. All Pfizer. BTW AZ is a 4 min 12 max week between dose. Plenty of AZ around. No excuse for a 12 week wait.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

I read this afternoon Pfizer has released a statement saying this is not the case. They still only plan to release the amount they said they would.

I know Pfizer are in the business of making money, and fair enough, and I am sure there are good reasons, but there is so much demand for this stuff, you would think that they would be doing everything possible to increase the manufacture of COMIRNATY. I would love to see a documentary on this production line.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

Actually it looks like they are putting on new production lines all the time. A new line in Belgium and new production plants in Germany and Switzerland.

Re: Another year at Least!
 

Fair enough. I just did some follow up reading and the overall amount of Pfizer is staying the same but the rate of arrival in Australia has been brought forward. Works for me

Re: Another year at Least!
 

Yep it was a bit confusing but I read it the same as you.