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Let's push the reset button on the vaccine rollout Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

A lot has happened with the coronavirus vaccine rollout over the last week.

Firstly, it's been recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine not be given to under 50 year-old due to concerns about rare blood clotting.

And secondly, there's been significant debate about why the rollout has been taking longer than anyone expected.

So on today's Coronacast, it's time to take a rollout reset. Let's look through exactly what's happened over the last week and find out what it all means.

The Goodest Friday! Lockdown restrictions lift in time for Easter Apr 02, 2021

Show notes

After two coronavirus clusters sparked a sharp, three-day lockdown, greater Brisbane has opened back up just in time for Easter weekend.

But the outbreak hasn't been without its fallout, with Byron Bay having to cancel a major music festival for the second year in a row and some restrictions remaining in place in Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Meanwhile, Australia's vaccine rollout has had a slow start, and some of the reasons why are becoming clearer.

So where do we rank internationally, and what's the end goal for global vaccine coverage?

Also on today's Coronacast:

* What's the latest with the vaccine rollout pace?

* How does Australia rank internationally in terms of vaccine coverage?

* New results on how the Pfizer vaccine performs in kids aged 12-15 years

And we're taking a break! Coronacast will be back in your pod feed on Monday 12 April.

Light on the horizon for Queensland or too soon to say? Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

Millions of Queenslanders will be hoping for good news today when announcements are made whether Brisbane's lockdown will end or continue in some way.

Yesterday saw two community cases of transmission in Queensland, and one popping up in northern New South Wales.

While it's hoped that health authorities are getting on top of things, it will still be a few days before we know for sure.

That's on today's Coronacast.

Also on the show:

* Federal-State relations getting a touch tetchy

* More worries about AstraZeneca and reports of blood clots

* The DL on making mRNA vaccines in Australia. Is it really that hard?

GUEST:

Colin Pouton, Professor of Pharmaceutical Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Why are health workers still getting COVID at work? Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

The extent of the outbreak in Brisbane has become clearer, after authorities revealed that they were dealing with two separate coronavirus clusters.

And at the heart of both outbreaks are health care workers who have somehow contracted it from COVID positive patients in hospital.

As they work closely with patients, healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable to contracting the virus.

But on today's Coronacast, with vaccines now available and a year's worth of knowledge about the virus why are health workers still getting COVID at work?

Also on today's show:

* Is there a case for vaccinating younger populations first considering they tend to be more active within the community?

* Should I cancel my travel for the holidays?

* You mentioned that the AstraZeneca vaccine 'escapes the South African variant to some extent'. Can you talk about that some more?

Suddenly, the Brisbane outbreak looks a lot more worrying Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Until yesterday, the outbreak in Brisbane looked small and manageable, but it just shows how fast things can change in a pandemic.

Today is the first day greater Brisbane will spend in at least a three day snap lockdown, after a rise in community transmission cases.

So on today's Coronacast what changed so quickly? And why do we need lockdowns now when we have vaccines?

Also on today's show:

* My parents have just had the COVID vaccine and are flying to Melbourne from Queensland. Will the vaccine cause them to test positive?

* When will I receive my vaccine? I'm of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander descent. Will the vaccine stop me from getting COVID-19 and or spreading it?

No Brisbane snap lockdown? What's changed? Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

It's been a while, but an Australian state is again dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19.

Queensland detected a positive case of the so-called UK variant - B117 - on Thursday. A second case was detected over the weekend that may be the link to the existing cluster.

In a positive sign, the number of tests in Queensland jumped over the weekend - but considering how long the person was infectious out in the community, it'll be a few more days before we can see how far it might have spread.

So on today's Coronacast, last time this happened the city was plunged into a three day lockdown. What's different this time?

Also on today's show:

* Clinical advice from Victorial about AstraZeneca and thrombosis

* I had my jab of AstraZeneca and I had a fever and headaches. I gather this is normal. Why do we get these symptoms?

* Does taking paracetamol after vaccination reduce the efficacy of the vaccine?

We've now got official Australian advice on AstraZeneca and rare clots Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Australia's expert advisory group on vaccines has recommended the COVID-19 vaccine be deferred for people who have a history of specific rare blood clotting disorders.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation says for the time being it recommends that vaccination with any COVID-19 vaccine should be deferred for people who have a history of two very rare and specific conditions.

This is the first time a warning has been given for COVID-19 vaccines in Australia, and the recommendation applies to both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, although the current concerns have been focussed on the latter.

So on today's Coronacast, why has the expert panel decided to make this move now? And for the very small number of people affected, what should they keep an eye out for if receiving a vaccine?

Also on today's show:

* AstraZeneca releases more figures regarding its vaccine's effectiveness

And the return of Quick Fire Friday!

What scientists have learnt from talking to thousands of long COVID patients Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

There are still so many things we don't fully understand about COVID, but one of the big mysteries is long COVID.

Experienced by up to 30 per cent of people who get the virus, long COVID can be debilitating and incredibly frustrating and scary for people who have it because it's so hard to provide solid answers to questions.

But in a large survey a new study reports the most common symptoms, saying it's a "critical first step" to ensure medical treatments can be developed.

So on today's Coronacast, what can the survey reveal about the mysterious long COVID?

Also on today's show:

* What is going on with Astra's US trial results?

* And Norman clarifies comments around the pill

With every passing day, the harder it'll be to reach vaccination targets Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has signed off on the release of 800,000 locally manufactured AstraZeneca vaccines, which might soon help boost the total number of shots delivered in Australia.

So far, Australia's rollout of the vaccine has been slow - due in part to limited supply but also due to the way the system has been set up to deliver vaccines.

But the reality is that to vaccinate the entire population by the target date of October, there'll have to be a serious ramping up soon.

So as today's Coronacast explains, with every passing day, the harder it'll be to reach those targets.

Also on today's show:

* We have a TGA response to (some) questions regarding German research into reports of blood clotting issues surrounding AstraZeneca vaccines

* What we know and what we don't about blood clotting reports

Could German researchers have found a link between Astra and blood clots? Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

Researchers in Germany say they've identified what could be behind the reports of blood clotting in people who have had the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.

The German team - in yet to be released pre-print research - say that the vaccine could in rare circumstances cause an autoimmune reaction that leads to clots.

The findings have yet to be peer reviewed, but the team says people who are likely to be affected could be identified if they are at higher risk by a screening test.

So on today's Coronacast, a rundown of the findings that could offer a reason for the reported blood clotting issues.

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