Comments on: Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy must change

By: z

Sat, 03 Jul 2021 22:53:41 +0000

Australian government should judge the efficiency of AstraZeneca vaccine based on the development of the COVID-19, especially the UK where more than half of the population has been vaccinated with AstraZeneca, and adjust the Australian vaccine rollout strategy in a timely manner. Choose the right vaccine to avoid the same kind of epidemic situation as the UK, namely: high vaccination rate，and high rate of new infections from the Delta virus happend every day at the same time.

By: Red

Red — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 23:04:42 +0000

In reply to Paula Lancaster. Yes, you will be able to have the Pfizer or Moderna (also an mRNA vaccine) as booster shot after the AstraZeneca. In fact it has been suggested that all subsequent boosters will be mRNA-based for one simple reason that mRNA-based vaccines are far easier and quicker to adapt to changing virus patterns.

By: Nicholas

Nicholas — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 01:49:25 +0000

In reply to Sabra Goudas. Thank you l One consequence of our current vaccination strategy should be follow up of Pfizer for those vaccinated with astrazenica once vaccines are in more abundant supply why is this not being discussed or proposed?

By: Will

Will — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 01:02:43 +0000

Whole-heartedly agree. Sure wish our politicians or their medical advisors can think rather than keep reassuring that AstraZeneca is safe for the over 50 age group. Comparing the numbers in Australia, 3.6 millions doses jabbed (majority over 50s) -> linked 48 blood clotting cases, with the 2 deaths being 48 and 52yo, how can our politicians come to the conclusion that it is safer for over 50 to get AZ jab compared to under? I could understand the stop-gap measure when AZ was the only choice with Pfizer-BNT supply shortage and over 50s are the higher risk group. But now even 30-49 are offered Pfizer while the virtually no-opposition WA government (due to their overwhelming election win) is denying over 50s, higher risk (and therefore preferably prioritized) group the safer choice of another vaccine! When the WA premier was asked that question during his press conference, he just said: “Go and have your AstraZeneca jab!” – in a firm and non-negotiating tone.
That just results in the lower uptake in the higher risk age group. I am glad the authors shared the same view.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 10:46:44 +0000

I agree with all but one of the comments. The real issue is not the relative effectiveness of the various vaccines, although AstraZeneca in my opinion does seem a sub optimal option relative to say Moderna and Pfizer. Fundamentally it is a travesty that those Australians over 50 are being treated as second class citizens relative to those under 50 in respect to the right to access the same vaccines as those under 50. Is it not time to formalise this process by setting up a petition documenting this opposition since I believe this will be the only way that equality for all can be achieved. Does anybody know if any formal objection mechanisms are already up and running?

By: David Watson

David Watson — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 23:31:10 +0000

Absolutely agree.. I find the current situation abhorrent.
I want to get vaccinated, and do my part to protect myself and the community but I’m not comfortable with the AZ jab. Make Pfizer available for over 50s now!

By: Jean Brewster

Jean Brewster — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 23:39:45 +0000

Totally agree with this article. I cannot understand why the more at risk portion of the population are not allowed access to the safer and more effective Pfizer vaccine.

By: Nick Hitchcock

Nick Hitchcock — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 07:46:25 +0000

Thank you for showing leadership with this excellent article. Hopefully ATAGI and other Policy leaders take note and give all Australians the ability to make a choice based on their own personal risk assessment or risk assessment guided by their Doctor etc. We over 50’s are quite happy to wait in line. I would like to know what the risk threshold is for when ATAGI or the Australian government will decide (like other countries) when certain vaccines will stop being offered in Australia? i.e. is it 1:60k like Ontario?

By: Greg Frazer

Greg Frazer — Fri, 28 May 2021 01:11:23 +0000

I’m in the over 60 age group and would get vaccinated with Pfizer today. I will NOT get astra Zeneca for risk of blood clots compared to the amount of COVID in Australia. If the government is serious about wanting all Australians to be vaccinated then allow me the choice of vaccines. I feel the older population is being put at risk and essentially being sacrificed by the government simply due to the fact they went with astra Zeneca.

By: Alexis T Crowford

Alexis T Crowford — Wed, 26 May 2021 06:09:28 +0000

Well said and comprehensible analysis especially referring to those 50-65 age group. Hopefully ATAGI updates the risk benefit analysis promptly based on up to date data & hopefully our Federal Government take a step to look & compare to others successfully vaccines roll out countries.