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The race to stop the new variants taking over the world Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

In a worrying turn, Europe has had an uptick in new coronavirus infections last week ending six weeks straight of declines.

More than a million cases were recorded last week, with The World Health Organisation saying variants first identified in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Brazil are behind the rise.

Closer to home, two people have tested positive to the so-called South African variant while in hotel quarantine in Canberra.

So on today's Coronacast, will we be able to vaccinate enough people in time before the new variants become dominant around the world?

Also on today's show:

* The nation's GPs are to play a huge role in the rollout of the vaccine. How much will it cost you to visit?

What makes a variant a variant of concern? Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

It seems we can't go a day without some new coronavirus variant popping up somewhere in the world.

There's the so-called UK variant, the Brazil variant, the Californian variant and now the Russian variant.

And to make it even more confusing, the name of the variant doesn't necessarily mean that's where the variant actually came from.

So on today's Coronacast, what are the variants? What is with their names and why are some concerning and others a bit boring?

Also on today's show:

* What is the likelihood of simultaneous infection of two different variants of COVID-19?

* Can you suggest or recommend any strategies for those who suffer from needle phobia but would still like to get vaccinated?

* A clarification on our use of the word "average"

And it's time for some more Quick Fire Friday!

Is there any point in a vaccine passport? Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

With the passing of another day, more Australians have been vaccinated against COVID.

But as more and more of us get either the Pfizer vaccine or the Astra vaccine, proving it may become important as we take steps to reopen borders and the economy.

One strategy that's been tried overseas in countries like Israel are what's known as vaccine passports - the idea being that to get into a movie or a gym, you need to prove you've been fully vaccinated.

But on today's Coronacast, that raises both ethical and practical concerns.

Also on today's show:

* Can you have the injection in the bum, instead of the arm?

* NSW to vaccinate border workers and families

Are we going to meet our vaccination target or what? Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

The first week of coronavirus vaccinations has now rolled out across Australia, and the data show that already we've missed our goals.

According to analysis by the ABC, the country has fallen short of its target, delivering half the expected number of shots.

Health Minister Greg Hunt says the Federal Government remains committed to meeting the end of October target.

So on today's Coronacast, what have been some of the early hold ups and are they anything to worry about?

Also on today's show:

* I work in hotel quarantine and actively trying to get pregnant. Should I get the vaccine?

* Can we get an update on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine? Is it coming to Australia?

* Why do you keep talking about the next pandemic?

On the front lines of Victoria's vaccine rollout Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

With limited amounts of coronavirus vaccines available, health care organisations are taking extreme steps to ensure not a drop is wasted.

Rollout plans that would normally take many months to develop have been done in mere weeks to ensure essential workers at the nation's borders are as protected as possible.

On today's Coronacast, how is the rollout going on the front line of the vaccine rollout? And how are organisations handling training to make sure the correct doses are given?

Also on the show:

* Why does Dr Swan keep talking down the Astra vaccine when it is just as effective against serious illness and death as the Pfizer vaccine

Is Astra the wrong vaccine for border workers? Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

The AstraZeneca vaccine has arrived in Australia, and the Federal Government says it will start rolling out to people in the priority phase 1a group within the next few weeks.

But the evidence suggests it's not as effective as the Pfizer shot at protecting people against new variants and preventing transmission.

Australia's main risk from another coronavirus outbreak is a hotel quarantine leak, so is the Astra vaccine the right shot for people working on our borders?

On today's Coronacast, a look at Australia's vaccine strategy.

Also:

Auckland goes into a week long lockdown, but this time New Zealand is facing something it hasn't had to worry about before.

Will vaccines make a difference responding to the next outbreak? Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

At the moment life has returned to a COVID-normal in Australia with state borders gradually reopening after the outbreak in Melbourne.

It comes as vaccines continue to rollout across the country, and a small but regular supply of the Pfizer shot arrives.

So now we have access to a vaccine, how will that change how we respond to any outbreak that happens from now on?

On today's Coronacast, will it be business as usual - ie lockdowns and restrictions - or could a new strategy be introduced?

Also on today's show:

* How old is Norman again? He's so old. What vaccine does he qualify for?

And it's Quick Fire Friday time, where we explain why doctors need immunisation training, what Pfizer is diluted with and why there are lots of doses in one vial.

What happens if you get the wrong dose? Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

An 88-year-old man and a 94-year-old woman in Queensland were given the incorrect doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday.

It's still under investigation how much extra they were given, and the doctor who administered the drug has been stood down from the vaccine program.

It was revealed yesterday that the doctor had not completed the required vaccination training.

So on today's Coronacast what happens if you receive too much of the Pfizer vaccine, and how did the health system react to the mistake?

Also:

* We're also joined by Professor John Skerritt, who heads up the Therapeutic Goods Administration which has approved the use of the Pfizer and Astra vaccine for use in Australia.

So what's he got to say about the timelines for reopening Australia to the rest of the world?

And what are his thoughts on the efficacy of the Astra vaccine especially in regards to the so-called South African variant?

Should people with auto-immune disease get a coronavirus vaccine? Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

If you don't have an auto-immune disease, you probably know and love someone who does.

These are diseases where the body's immune system attacks healthy cells, and they include conditions like type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

And plenty of people with these conditions have been asking the ABC: what happens if you have an auto-immune disease and get coronavirus? And is it safe for me to have a COVID vaccine?

Today on Coronacast, why it's extra important for the 1 in 14 people with an auto-immune disease to get vaccinated against COVID, and what the research is telling us about these people's concerns.

Also on today's show:

* Should I just wait to get the Novavax vaccine?

* Norman says that vaccines have the potential to make SARS-CoV-2 "like the common cold". But don't people who have mild or even no symptoms of a COVID-19 infection often wind up with lasting organ damage?

* What's the difference between the words inoculation, immunisation and vaccination?

When will I know when I can go and get a vaccine? Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

As the coronavirus vaccine rollout continues across the country, it's left many wondering when it'll be their chance to go and get a shot.

So far, there hasn't been a huge amount of specific information released as to when larger groups of Australians will be vaccinated.

So on today's Coronacast, what we know about when the vaccine is coming for large groups of Australia and what we don't yet know.

Also on today's show:

* My work colleague says she doesn't want to get a COVID vaccine because, according to her brother who is a doctor, the vaccine is 'DNA altering'. Please can you set the record straight?

* Aside from hotel quarantine, when do you see us relaxing the other restrictions we are still living with?

And Norman has the results from a study on Vitamin D. Does it help protect against COVID or not?

GUEST:

Lauren Roberts, ABC health reporter

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia. Here are your questions answered:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2021-02-22/covid-19-vaccines-pfizer-astrazeneca-australia-coronavirus/13158870

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