Vaccine Rollout in Australia - personal accounts.

Sponsored Post

Struggling to use your Frequent Flyer Points?

Frequent Flyer Concierge takes the hard work out of finding award availability and redeeming your frequent flyer or credit card points for flights.

Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, the Frequent Flyer Concierge team at Frequent Flyer Concierge will help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

Less than 8 weeks. Is that usual? I was recommended to make the second appointment 12 weeks to the day.
Probably a typo - I havent got the appointment card handy but I suspect it will be July not June
 
I am getting my AZ tomorrow. The cygnets (20 and 23) are targeting Friday for their PF.
The cygnets got their jabs today after all. Maybe one of them was the 1 millionth jab in NSW (apparently NSW reached 1 million today)! So our family of 4 have all had their first jab now. Only 4 million to go Gladys!
 
Not Australia, but had my 2nd Pfizer jab today in the UK. Feeling a bit tingly but otherwise OK so far. Arm was sore immediately although my jabber was less........ delicate than the guy that did my first! Let's see whether I get any side effects or not as Pfizer it tends to come with the 2nd whereas AZ is the first (and Mrs FB proved that nicely!).
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

I had my first AZ shot 10am yesterday in Brisbane (2a). Everything fine until 6pm when a fever started building. It broke at about 1am at a temperature of 39.1. Dull headache followed. I suppose I should be grateful that it triggered a robust immune system response.

Just following up on my strong reaction to the first dose.

This Israeli study One dose of COVID-19 vaccine provokes strong immune response in those previously infected shows a link between having had the virus and then having a strong reaction to the first vaccine shot.

I recall my last flight before lockdown from SYD to BNE I sat next to an older couple who came from the Ruby Princess and were flying home. There was one Brisbane couple where the wife died from COVID and I had a vague feeling that I had seen them before when the news was released and the husband was interviewed.

I came down with the flu following that trip, but at the time I thought I caught something in NZ as the people I was working with in Auckland had various sniffles, before flying to SYD. I was alone at home for 10 days with the flu symptoms lasting about 5 days. This was before any testing.

Pure speculation on my part that came from reading the synopsis of the Israeli study.
 
My experience so far here is SA and falling into the 1B category.

Was ready to book and go approx 4 weeks ago but then the issue about the AZ vaccine for <50yr olds came up and so that put an end to my initial plan. Had my flu shot instead that night.

MON 10/05 decided to investigate Pfizer availability and was offered a spot for the next day. Unfortunately it clashed with other stuff but booked for TUE 18/05 and during the same online session I booked second injection for TUE 08/06. Booking process was very easy.

TUE 18/05 I went to the Wayville Show Grounds and got my Pfizer No.1 shot at my allocated time. The whole process was very well organised and efficient; much like the way priority check-in and boarding should be organised. Elapsed time from arrival at the centre to driving to work was approx 30mins (which included mandatory observation time before departure).

After effects - Initially after the injection my arm felt sore. 30+mins later it felt like someone had punched me in the arm really hard. Left arm felt more sore at about bedtime on TUE. Soreness on WED reduced throughout the day until about dinner time when I had totally forgotten about the shot. No other effects.

As a side note, I don't normally have any reactions to any vaccinations.

Hoping that Pfizer No.2 shot will be equally easy.
 
Just following up on my strong reaction to the first dose.

This Israeli study One dose of COVID-19 vaccine provokes strong immune response in those previously infected shows a link between having had the virus and then having a strong reaction to the first vaccine shot.

I recall my last flight before lockdown from SYD to BNE I sat next to an older couple who came from the Ruby Princess and were flying home. There was one Brisbane couple where the wife died from COVID and I had a vague feeling that I had seen them before when the news was released and the husband was interviewed.

I came down with the flu following that trip, but at the time I thought I caught something in NZ as the people I was working with in Auckland had various sniffles, before flying to SYD. I was alone at home for 10 days with the flu symptoms lasting about 5 days. This was before any testing.

Pure speculation on my part that came from reading the synopsis of the Israeli study.
It certainly is possible.If you had covid antibodies prior to the vaccine you would have known.Probably too late now.
The prevalence of the real flu 12 months ago was quite low.
 
Had my first AZ "jab" today! Still alive but I had to complain to the receptionist while I waited for 15 minutes afterwards that the 5G in the jab blocked my internet access on my phone!
Didn't you ask to see the list of known side effects on the vaccine packet? No 153 - temporarily interferes with 5G data access.
 
I had cause to be down at Jeff’s Shed in Melbourne today and during a break I wandered by the Covid Vaccination Center. It was far from busy, people were arriving every few minutes but no line. I had a chat with one of the security guards and he said it was busy first thing then dead most of the rest of the day. I did jokingly ask it there might be a spare shot of Astra for someone who is far from eligible yet but flexibility was certainly not in the power of the man in hi viz on the door.

It really pisses me off when i think of the flips and twists that my Americans went through to get vaxxed. People should be queuing out the door for this medical miracle. If the system is running so far under capacity it needs to be opened up to anyone willing. Big props to NSW for starting to book under 50s who want to take up spare shots.
 
Not Australia, but had my 2nd Pfizer jab today in the UK. Feeling a bit tingly but otherwise OK so far. Arm was sore immediately although my jabber was less........ delicate than the guy that did my first! Let's see whether I get any side effects or not as Pfizer it tends to come with the 2nd whereas AZ is the first (and Mrs FB proved that nicely!).
Well I bucked the trend - slightly sore arm (barely noticeable) and no side effects on my 2nd shot, too. Happy days!
 
Went to get a blood test today for my annual health check.

Nurse was interested in my vaccination experience. However she had no intention in getting vaccinated at present or in the near future.

She agreed that travel was a good reason to get vaccinated.

She also was not phased about local cases being a reason to get vaccinated.
 
Had my AZ in ACT last Saturday (GP clinic had supplies). I did not feel the needle go in, suppose the nurse has got expert by now. Risk factors double checked in the room verbally - but why do I need ID over verbal checks. My research said blood types (me AB+) meant I had a lower risk, besides approaching 60.


Nothing in the next 2 hours. A dull headache mostly over eye brows followed and at 10 PM decided to go to bed. TV and Computer seemed to amplify it - after 2 panadol. Only mild. Had a glorious, restful sleep (normally I toss and turn). Injection site became tender, and I had a lazy Sunday, 50% recovered after 24 Hours. Monday right as rain, but injection site still tender, say 65% gone.

Observations. The pep talk in the hallway good. The Cwth information sheet was directly lifted from the cwth website. It listed symptoms, but get this - NO BENEFITS. No Thank You, No congratulations saying you are no longer a sitting duck. and no greencard benefits, no lottery, scratchie or free beer. Thought: Maybe NSW can get a no roadtoll day, for early vaxers or XX dollars added to public transport card.

Rang Friends to say no drama. They said no way, wifey(A+) said not AZ, hubby went along with wifey at the 50yo mark. Thought: Maybe if you can nominate 10 people to have and get AZ early, that person who has objections can get mRNA. This lady who does nursing home work, could certainly get 10 names, or from the Catholic church circle.

My closing observation is Israel. Their vaccination curve has gone flattish at 63%, despite excellent logistics and no AZ objectors, and fewer minorities. I conclude the Australian polls say 'no and say nothing' until the election is over. I would also be firing those who wrote the rollout plans as incompetents, and laying out carrot and stick signals.
 
Received approval today that I am to be considered part of phase 1 from today (I am 30 years old). Will make an appointment for next week - I see no reason to delay any further. Obviously Pfizer is the preferred vaccine, however can opt to get AZ if I so wish & sign the release. Some thinking to do but following the medical advice is probably what I will end up doing, and thus end up with Pfizer.
 
Lucked in and got 1st Pfizer last week (closer to sixty then fifty).
Sore arm for a while, all good now.
2nd jab 10 June.
Hopefully feeling okay for the Saints/Crows game here in Cairns on the 12th.
Saints need a helping hand :(
 
The Tasmanian Health minister and Deputy Premier got his AZ shot on Sunday.He got it on the first day the Devonport vaccination hub was open.

The Head of the Tassie State service has also had her AZ shot.
 
I had the AZ shot on Saturday afternoon at our GP in Canberra, and it felt no different to the usual flu shot. 2nd jab booked in for early August. The nurse took me through all of the information on the potential reactions to the AZ vaccine, including clots, and what to look out for. It was very thorough and she didn't rush it, stopping to check I was ok with the information. MrsK is up for next week at her GP. She has been a bit worried about reactions to the AZ vaccine, given some of the reporting, but seeing that I survived unscathed (first penguin off the ice floe principle) I think she is a bit more comfortable with it all.

We also had a good chat about flying in the current environment, as she hasn't had the opportunity yet to get back on a plane. I said everyone is pretty good with masks etc at airports and on the flights. I've only seen a couple of hold outs, one on a flight back from Brisbane last Friday. A gentleman a few rows back made a big scene to the flight attendant when asked about him not wearing a mask, that he had a "medical condition". I couldn't see the people, but I heard a voice I presume from near him say that he was a doctor, and for the gent to tell him about the condition. I didn't see how that ended up - mask or no mask.
 
The Tasmanian Health minister and Deputy Premier got his AZ shot on Sunday.He got it on the first day the Devonport vaccination hub was open.

The Head of the Tassie State service has also had her AZ shot.
Great photo ops happening.
 
I had the AZ shot on Saturday afternoon at our GP in Canberra, and it felt no different to the usual flu shot. 2nd jab booked in for early August. The nurse took me through all of the information on the potential reactions to the AZ vaccine, including clots, and what to look out for. It was very thorough and she didn't rush it, stopping to check I was ok with the information. MrsK is up for next week at her GP. She has been a bit worried about reactions to the AZ vaccine, given some of the reporting, but seeing that I survived unscathed (first penguin off the ice floe principle) I think she is a bit more comfortable with it all.

We also had a good chat about flying in the current environment, as she hasn't had the opportunity yet to get back on a plane. I said everyone is pretty good with masks etc at airports and on the flights. I've only seen a couple of hold outs, one on a flight back from Brisbane last Friday. A gentleman a few rows back made a big scene to the flight attendant when asked about him not wearing a mask, that he had a "medical condition". I couldn't see the people, but I heard a voice I presume from near him say that he was a doctor, and for the gent to tell him about the condition. I didn't see how that ended up - mask or no mask.
I only saw one on the plane - the lady opposite us on the Canberra Brisbane flight wore her mask most of the time, but took it off when she thought she could get away with it e.g after the FAs sat down in preparation for landing.

coming back I found the mask a bit irritating. We arrived at Brisbane airport around 10am and went back via Melbourne, arriving in Canberra around 5pm, so 7 hours solid of mask wearing. However by eating and drinking regularly you could get a break, so it wasn’t too bad.
 
Back
Top