spouse of scouse

As would be expected, knowledge about possible adverse effects of each covid vaccine increases as more doses are given. In the US, the FDA has added a warning re. heart inflammation to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Fortunately the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis is said to be rare and most people recover from it, which is the same risk/recovery profile as blood clots with AstraZeneca.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/...derna-vaccines

The Bondi outbreak of community transmission, and the recent one in Melbourne, has hopefully helped more Aussies to see that they and all of us are sitting ducks while our vaccination rates are so low. With the Kappa and Delta variants now circulating in Australia, you only need to walk past an infected person to become infected yourself. Someone in Sydney was infected with the Delta variant in just this way, walking past a stranger.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-...-vic/100238680

Beoz

This guy (who was not vaccinated - god knows why he was transporting airline crew) infected a bunch of people in Bondi Junction. One of which then attended a party infecting about 8 others. Its interesting to note that there were a number of health care and aged care people at the party who were vaccinated. None of which to date, have been infected. Only the non vaccinated people have tested positive.

BadgeIsBack

Hi Everyone.
Got Pfizer, which frankly I am glad of, as I didn't like the idea of a 8?-12 week gap for Az. Not many people are referencing the point that if we get hit by Delta this southern winter, some people with the Az might be left in between jabs...

I also read Az less effective against Delta.

BadgeIsBack

Big kudos to you mate, well done. My son is interested in ADF at Uni. Nothing wrong with inf, I suggested my son go get a green lid then get a job with possibly more transferable skills. :-)

Happy to hear this good news today.

Cheers

Amazulu

Thanks. His words to me recently was that he wants to be an 'alpha warrior'! All Australian combat battalions have a sniper/recce unit - that's what he wants to do. That or helicopter pilot - but that's extremely selective. If he can get through ADFA or RMC Duntroon and get some real education and experience, he could be setting himself up for a great future life. If he didn't get into the Australian army he was talking about going for Royal Marine officer training - now that's hardcore!

abner

You'll never be scum to me, stevenglish1. But if you don't mind, just stand an extra pace away at our next barbie.

***

In less glib news, it appears Indian authorities have now identified a "Delta plus" strain, seemingly even more of a concern than the already "variant of concern" Delta strain.

IMHO -- and I am no epidemiologist -- this is where the mRNA vaccine technology will truly prove its mettle, or not.

If Pfizer-BionTech and Moderna can rapidly address such new threats with "booster shots", at very high levels of efficacy (and consistent with established degrees of safety for the mRNA vaccine development approach) against 'Delta plus', or whatever turns up next, they will at least temporarily own most first-world economies, in terms of being "preferred providers" of vaccines and boosters..

paulry

Smart decision. I hear AZ will be completely phased out by October.

old.sparkles

I've had the first dose of AZ - the efficacy rate from a single dose is similar for both AZ and Pfizer, which is obviously higher than no vaccine.

I'll likely get the second dose about the same time, or earlier, than I could have received two doses of Pfizer - and by taking AZ, Pfizer doses will be available to those in younger age groups, where the risk of blood clotting is greater.

Yes, the overall efficacy against the delta variant may be lower, but almost all that I have read suggests that all vaccines have high efficacy rates at preventing serious illness, hospitalisations and death.

Beoz

An excellent point. With the 3 eastern cities under a bit of pressure, its a bit of a race against time now.

abner

Virtue-signalling at its finest.

Beoz

I think I understand the position on AZ for under 60's (or 40's that remains unclear to me) after the NSW presser. The Qld presser was load of rubbish, do what I say, you are my subjects.

NSW position is, NSW health won't be giving AZ to those under 60, NSW health have no indemnity, but if you are under 60 and you really want AZ, speak to your GP to understand the risks, and make a decision based on that.

The Feds are giving GP's indemnity after assessing the patient for potential side effects of AZ. If the patient decides to proceed, the risk is on the patient.

Depending on which stats you read, if every single person in Australia, including children, were given AZ, we would expect between 20-40 to die from blood clots, and if the GP's are able to assess this well, it could be less. 1600 or so die every year in road accidents. There's is already nearly 1000 dead from COVID in Australia.

Lets hope the under 60's weigh up the risk up take this up in droves and in combination to the Pfizer jabs, get the percentage of vaxxed right up there quickly.

abner

Yes, unfortunately, 60% for two-shot AZ vs 88% for two-shot Pfizer. (Which is why I held out for Pfizer, but that's old news on this thread...)

But as ABC Radio reported on my drive to work this morning (sorry, can't provide a link due to those circumstances), there is evidence that mixed dose regimes tested in other countries (e.g. 1 shot AZ + 1 shot Pfizer, and it doesn't matter in which order) are *highly* effective.

But we're not allowed to get mixed doses like that in Oz. Not yet anyway, even though several competent first-world countries have already signed off on the approach.

themerlin

But with the longer 12 week wait between shots you might not get the population fully vaccinated that much quicker at this stage (with the Pfizer due in the next few months).

I had the AZ back in April, but would have been fully vaccinated now if I waited a bit longer for the Pfizer.

Beoz

How much Pfizer is due in?

Amazulu

A friend has had a 1st shot of AZ and has now, with 50-60 yo allowed to have Pfizer, booked to get a 1st shot of Pfizer. The online system allowed him to do this but I reckon he'll get pulled up on the day he goes for the jab. It will be interesting to see if he gets away with it. I did mention to him the ethics of having a jab that could go to someone who hasn't already had one, especially as it's the taxpayer paying for it........

My friends in British Columbia are getting 1st shot Pfizer and 2nd shot Moderna. Seems to be the policy there

My Auntie in Hawaii had Moderna only - and it seems that most people there have too

The vast majority of the people I know in the UK have had AZ