The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[Must...Fly!]

Reports are that National Cabinet has decided to bring forward all of 2A, not just the over 50s

Interesting and good news.

Wonder if they've decided yet who the other critical workers/industries are that would be included in 2A...

Just had my flu vaccination though, so rather irrelevant for the next couple weeks anyway

 

[mviy]

I read about it here: NoCookies | The Australian

Edit: Hmmm. Wondering if it could just be a poorly written article. Will need to see if other media posts anything.

 

[mviy]

Nothing about doing all of 2A in the National Cabinet Statement: National Cabinet Statement | Prime Minister of Australia

So I guess it could just be a poorly written news article.

 

[RAM]

Well some are saying that there is AZ sitting there unused. I'm in 2B and would be happy to have the AZ vaccine if there's any chance not waiting for Pfizer may mean that I am able to travel sooner than I otherwise would. If I had the first dose of AZ now I'm sure I'd get the second dose well before the borders reopened. Whereas with the rush for Pfizer later in the year it's possible that I may not get the second dose of Pfizer till after the borders reopen. It would appear that I am far from alone in this thinking on AFF.

As of last Friday (April 23rd) there were over 2.2m AZ doses approved for injecting but unused.

Still major issues with CSL's weekly supplies not matching forecast figures, for some reason the Fed Govt has dropped all mention of the "1 million doses a week from CSL".

Even so each week there are hundreds of thousands of unused doses stacking up in the storage hubs adding to the existing unused stocks which are supposed to be shipped first.

CSL will reach a million COVID vaccines a week soon: Murphy

The national vaccine rollout was always going to depend on how quickly Australia's local production of the AstraZeneca vaccine could ramp up.

thenewdaily.com.au

The original goal set out by CSL and the government was to start producing a million doses a week by the end of March.

They fell short of that in the first week, with about 830,000 locally produced.

CSL continues to fall well short but the number being injected has been lucky to add up to even 50% of the weekly deliveries.

 

[Flying mermaid]

As of last Friday (April 23rd) there were over 2.2m AZ doses approved for injecting but unused.

Still major issues with CSL's weekly supplies not matching forecast figures, for some reason the Fed Govt has dropped all mention of the "1 million doses a week from CSL".

Even so each week there are hundreds of thousands of unused doses stacking up in the storage hubs adding to the existing unused stocks which are supposed to be shipped first.

CSL will reach a million COVID vaccines a week soon: Murphy

The national vaccine rollout was always going to depend on how quickly Australia's local production of the AstraZeneca vaccine could ramp up.

thenewdaily.com.au

The original goal set out by CSL and the government was to start producing a million doses a week by the end of March.

They fell short of that in the first week, with about 830,000 locally produced.

CSL continues to fall well short but the number being injected has been lucky to add up to even 50% of the weekly deliveries.

I thought they reserved at least 50% for second doses so 50% of theoretical production + 50% of Pfizer is the max we should see.

 

[Pushka]

Nothing about doing all of 2A in the National Cabinet Statement: National Cabinet Statement | Prime Minister of Australia

So I guess it could just be a poorly written news article.

I heard on the radio today they'd brought forward 2A.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I heard on the radio today they'd brought forward 2A.

Well most of 2A is due to start Monday, but I thought they were leaving out two small groups (Aboriginal and some high risk workers). Putting them in would create even more demand for Pfizer whereas the others are just AZ, so I would be surprised if they are doing all of 2A but who knows.

 

[RAM]

Not many countries not affected by WW1/WW2. When you get a free moment have a look on google for the north african campaigns, the battle of the River Plate and the Graf Spree, the Japanese in China and most of SE Asia, New Guinea etc etc.
Postscript: Also have a look at Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and his victories against British troops in East Africa during WW1 - made famous in a somewhat satirical work The Ice Cream Wars.

Technically both are correct, but some less so.

South America, as a whole, studiously stayed out of active involvement in WW2. Some countries were happy to sell materials to whoever would buy them. There's a great (mostly factual) film on the SBS free view equivalent which touches on the pre-WW2 (& subsequent) German development of resource projects in Central & South America.

Spoiler: Activate for more

The Battle of the River Plate did not involve armed action by any South American country nor any South American citizens. The Graf Spee had sought anchorage in a neutral country's harbour (Uruguay & Montevideo). Under International Law they only had 24 hours (or they could surrender the ship & be interned for the rest of the war) but through 'negotiations' gained a maximum stay of 72 hours. The actual battle prior to entering the harbour involved Germans, British & Kiwis. Subsequently the Graf Spee was scuttled without a further shot fired mainly thanks to false information about what ships were waiting for the Graf Spee.

Of all of South America, only Brazil had active involvement sending troops.

Equally most of sub-Saharan Africa was relatively untouched by military action as Germany had lost all of its colonial holdings after WW1. Italy attacked from its holdings in the Horn of Africa with over 200,000 soldiers successfully (but stupidly as they could not get any re-supply). Italy made gains but as Allied troop numbers were built up from less than 30,000 troops, & well supplied - Italy lost all their gains and subsequently their entire holdings there.

For example the lack of parts saw their around 300 more modern aircraft (than the Allies had) quickly reduced to under 70 due to predominantly this lack of spares before ceasing to be operational completely.

There were hundreds of thousands of sub-Saharan Africans who fought for the Allies.

CV has been a totally different matter. Even as of yesterday - many South American countries are seeing far more cases per million/week & deaths per million/week than India.

Such as Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, (even France)!

 

[serfty]

I heard on the radio today they'd brought forward 2A.

2A was already brought forward, 2B has been - younger Aboriginal and Torres st. Islanders etc.

 

[mviy]

2A was already brought forward, 2B has been - younger Aboriginal and Torres st. Islanders etc.

18-49 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are in 2A. The rest of us 16-49 are in 2B.

Greg Hunt had a press conference today: Press conference about a new treatment on the PBS and Phase 2A of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

 

[Pushka]

See. Confusion reigns. Poor messaging. I thought 2a was brought forward last week. Today, 2A brought forward like a new announcement.

 

[Flying mermaid]

See. Confusion reigns. Poor messaging. I thought 2a was brought forward last week. Today, 2A brought forward like a new announcement.

They announced 2A last week, but it was always supposed to be phased in - 3 May for respiratory clinics and 17 May for GPs. They also had a visual which showed only over 50s part of 2A was being implemented and not the Aboriginal (under 49)/workers part of 2A. I did catch part of Hunt’s talk today which implied some GPs might be able to start on 3 May.

EDIT where I can I try and listen to the press conferences as that is often less confusing than what the media write up

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yes I meant NSW health run in Sydney Metro, where only the 4 have been announced as moving to wider public access once 1a and 1b are done - Olympic Park then RPA, Liverpool Hospital and Westmead hospital.

There may also be Commonwealth run Pfizer hubs but haven't seen these advertised - the respiratory clinics only offering AZ so no use for us under 50s.

Only RPA or Olympic park are doable for me commute wise, so they will be what Im watching.

There are currently more than 3 hospital NSW Health run Pfizer hubs.

 

[jonboixxx]

Almost 2.2 million vaccinations to today. Great effort, predominantly by our trusted primary health networks. If there were supply sufficiencies, GP and pharmac_ channels would have smashed out half our 50M target by now, on previous form.

 

[Lynda2475]

There are currently more than 3 hospital NSW Health run Pfizer hubs.

Ok great but will they be available to non staff? If so perhaps you could provide a link, as the Premier has only mentioned the 4 metro locations i noted as opening up to under 50s who are not in 1a or 1b.

 

[Matt_01]

Ok great but will they be available to non staff? If so perhaps you could provide a link, as the Premier has only mentioned the 4 metro locations i noted as opening up to under 50s who are not in 1a or 1b.

Maybe you should just wait in line for your turn like like the rest of the population.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Some great, clear, easy to read info on the QLD Health Website (Covid sub)

Vaccination hub locations​

Every hospital and health service in Queensland will be providing vaccinations as part of Queensland’s rollout. The following vaccination locations are now offering vaccines, by invitation, to eligible health care workers and other critical and high-risk workers.

• Albert Waterways Community Centre
• Aramac Community Outreach Program
• Atherton Hospital
• Augathella Multipurpose Health Service (outreach)
• Baralaba MultiPurpose Health Service
• Barcaldine Hospital
• Biggenden Outreach Service
• Biloela Hospital
• Blackall Outreach service
• Blackwater Multipurpose Health Service (outreach)
• Boigu and Dauan Outreach Service
• Bowen Hospital (outreach)
• Brighton Health Campus
• Bundaberg Hospital
• Burketown Council Community Centre (outreach)
• Caboolture Hospital
• Cairns Hospital
• Caloundra Hospital
• Capricorn Coast Hospital Outreach Service
• Charleville Hospital
• Charters Towers Hospital (including Eventide Residential Aged Care)
• Childers Outreach Service
• Chinchilla Hospital
• Clermont MPF
• Cloncurry Community Health (Outreach)
• Collinsville Outreach Service
• CQU City Campus
• Cunnamulla Multipurpose Health Service (outreach)
• Dalby Hospital
• Dirranbandi MPHS
• Dysart Hospital (outreach)
• Eidsvold Outreach Service
• Emerald Hospital
• Gatton Hospital
• Gin Gin Outreach Service
• Gladstone Hospital
• Gold Coast University Hospital
• Goondiwindi Hospital
• Gympie Hospital
• Hammond Island
• Herberton Hospital (outreach)
• Hervey Bay Hospital
• Horn Island
• Injune MultiPurpose Health Service (outreach)
• Innisfail Hospital (including Babinda Multipurpose Health Service)
• Ipswich Hospital
• Isisford Shire Hall (outreach)
• Kilcoy Hospital (outreach)
• Logan Hospital
• Longreach Outreach Service
• Mackay Base Hospital
• Maleny Hospital
• Mareeba Hospital
• Maryborough Hospital
• Miles Hospital
• Mitchell Multipurpose Health Service (outreach)
• Monto Outreach Service
• Moranbah Hospital (outreach)
• Mount Isa Hospital
• Mount Morgan Multipurpose Health Service (outreach)
• Moura Multipurpose Health Service (outreach)
• Mundubbera Outreach Service
• Mungindi MPHS
• Murgon Hospital
• Nambour Hospital
• Nolan's Meat Works - Gympie (outreach)
• Numinbah Correctional Centre
• Princess Alexandra Hospital
• Proserpine Hospital (outreach) – Proserpine Outreach Service
• QEII Hospital
• Queensland Children's Hospital
• Quilpie MPHS
• Redcliffe Hospital
• Redlands Hospital
• Residential Disability and Aged Care Facilities (managed by the Australian Government)
• Richmond MPHS
• Rockhampton Hospital
• Rockhampton Outreach Service
• Roma Hospital
• Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
• Sarina Hospital
• Springsure Multipurpose Health Service (outreach)
• Stanthorpe Hospital
• St George Hospital
• Sunshine Coast University Hospital
• Surat MultiPurpose Health Service (outreach)
• Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (RBWH/Herston Campus)
• Thargomindah Community Clinic
• The Park for Mental Health (outreach)
• The Park Hotel Brisbane (1-day outreach)
• The Prince Charles Hospital
• Thursday Island (TCHHS outreach program)
• Toowoomba Hospital
• Townsville University Hospital
• Wallumbilla Outreach Service
• Warwick Hospital
• Wide Bay Hospital & Health Service Biggenden Outreach
• Wide Bay Hospital & Health Service Childers Outreach
• Winton Shire Hall
• Woorabinda MPHS

Queensland rollout

.​

 

[Flying mermaid]

Almost 2.2 million vaccinations to today. Great effort, predominantly by our trusted primary health networks. If there were supply sufficiencies, GP and pharmac_ channels would have smashed out half our 50M target by now, on previous form.

Just occurred to me that from June we should start to see the reserve supplies of AZ being used, as people start getting their second AZ jab. This should see a significant (doubling?) increase in daily vaccinations.

 

[Flying mermaid]

2A was already brought forward, 2B has been - younger Aboriginal and Torres st. Islanders etc.

Tried this out - I can book at the respiratory clinic next week, if I fill in that I am over 50, but not if I fill in 18-49 Aboriginal, so currently it looks like only the part of 2A they originally announced was being brought forward has. Of course hotdoc might not have been updated yet but I can’t find anywhere that says all of 2A has been opened up.

 

[Must...Fly!]

the part of 2A they originally announced was being brought forward has

Having found the transcript of the press conference I think you may be right

But what that shows is that we’re bringing forward Phase 2A for the over 50s, which means earlier protection for older Australians.

Press conference about a new treatment on the PBS and Phase 2A of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Read the transcript of the press conference with Minister Hunt at the Star Health GP Respiratory Clinic at the Prahan Townhall in Melbourne on 30 April about a new treatment for Dravet Syndrome on the PBS, Phase 2A of the vaccine rollout, and travel restrictions.

www.health.gov.au