The Reality of Living in Australia and Covid

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by Alan Mighty

Alert for Medicare-card bearing Aussie cruisers who happen to be over age 70:

story is the Aus govt will at the end of October 2021 end free vaccination with Zostavax against shingles. Thereafter vax against shingles will hit the pocket for $A300-ish.

Vax against shingles is 'likely' valid for 5 years, no more.

https://www.health.gov.au/health-top...tion-service-0

https://nationalseniors.com.au/news/...-vaccinate-now

FYI: Zostavax no longer in use in the USA; still available here in Canada. Its efficacy is WAY worse than the alternative Shingrix: 50% vs 90% (the latter is also pricier). My recollection is Shingrix effect lasts much longer than only 5 yrs.

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthli...ingles-vaccine

Sorry if I've inappropriately intruded in on the Australian thread.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

FYI: Zostavax no longer in use in the USA; still available here in Canada. Its efficacy is WAY worse than the alternative Shingrix: 50% vs 90% (the latter is also pricier). My recollection is Shingrix effect lasts much longer than only 5 yrs.

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthli...ingles-vaccine

Sorry if I've inappropriately intruded in on the Australian thread.

I think your intrusion is welcomed. I knew change was on the way in Oz but I'm now a lot wiser than I was yesterday.

Meanwhile I only saw about 5 minutes of DP's presser today. He did not impress me.

This is his 'roadmap'
https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/...s-apply/?cs=11

[GordMay]

Starting mid-October 2020, the Ontario publicly funded shingles immunization program, available for seniors ages 65 to 70 years, will begin to transition from offering the Zostavax®II (Merck Canada Inc.) vaccine to the Shingrix® (GSK) vaccine.

Shingrix® is a recombinant, adjuvanted subunit vaccine that was authorized for use in Canada in October 2017 as a two-dose series for individuals 50 years of age and older for the prevention of herpes zoster (HZ).

Note:: As a result of COVID-19, individuals born in 1949 or 1950 (i.e., 70-year olds turning 71 in 2020 or 2021 calendar year) who have missed the opportunity to receive the publicly funded Zostavax® II are eligible to receive Shingrix® and complete the 2-dose series by December 31, 2021.

The need for a booster dose following the primary two-dose vaccine series has not been established. Available studies have demonstrated a longer duration of protection against HZ from Shingrix® with immunogenicity being demonstrated up to nine years post-immunization. Minimal waning in vaccine efficacy was seen after four years following vaccination with Shingrix® remaining at 90 percent or more protection for all four years.

More ➥ https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/..._hcp_qa_en.pdf

Sorry, for the drift.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

I think your intrusion is welcomed. I knew change was on the way in Oz but I'm now a lot wiser than I was yesterday.

Meanwhile I only saw about 5 minutes of DP's presser today. He did not impress me.

This is his 'roadmap'
https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/...s-apply/?cs=11

WOT, you'r not impressed with Saint Dominic, oh how could you!!
Btw, join the club.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

WOT, you'r not impressed with Saint Dominic, oh how could you!!
Btw, join the club.

How many times was he asked ' Where is Dr Chant?'? ( NSW's Chief Health Officer for you unwashed furriners and people from Perth. )
Finally cracked ' We are your elected representatives!!!'
Dead give away when you have to say 'I'm the captain!!!!' or 'I'm a lawyer!!'
that you aren't really in charge.
Then some journo said 'but this is a medical emergency!!' and he quick as a flash said ' No, its an economic emergency'.
So we can see where this is going.

[Seaworthy Lass]

About 3 weeks ago Australia received its first shipment of Moderna (Spikevax).

Finland has just joined Sweden and Denmark in pausing use of Moderna vaccine for younger males:
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...en-2021-10-07/

The side effect of myocarditis is rare, but so is the risk of hospitalisation from COVID-19 for this group.

Pfizer is very similar to Moderna. Both are mRNA vaccines. A National Database Analysis in the US indicates hospitalisations due to myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination exceed hospitalisations for COVID-19 infected 12-17 year old males (not peer reviewed yet):
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...1262866v1.full

They concluded:
“Our report found post-vaccination CAE rates following dose two of 162.2 and 94.0/million for boys 12-15 and 16-17, respectively. For boys with no underlying health conditions, the chance of either CAE, or hospitalization for CAE, after their second dose of mRNA vaccination are considerably higher than their 120-day risk of COVID-19 hospitalization, even at times of peak disease prevalence. The long-term consequences of this vaccine-associated cardiac inflammation are not yet fully defined and should be studied. In lieu of pediatric vaccination mandates, the US may: 1) consider gathering data on previous infection in this age group and/or 2) follow the example of Germany,[31] Sweden [32], Norway [33] and the WHO[34] and hold off on definitively recommending vaccination of low-risk children against COVID-19, or 3) offer one dose to adolescents as the UK has just announced [35] while more information about risks, benefits, harms and alternative dosing or vaccination strategies are studied and considered.”

Generally after treatment following myocarditis from other causes:
“many patients live long, full lives free from the effects of myocarditis. For others, however, ongoing cardiovascular medication or even a heart transplant may be needed. Overall, myocarditis which can cause dilated cardiomyopathy, are thought to account for up to 45 percent of heart transplants in the U.S. today.”

Damaged heart muscle does not regenerate. We don’t know the problems that COVID-19 vaccine induced myocarditis will induce long term, but it seems very likely problems will occur for some.

Under the age of 18 mRNA vaccines are the only option in Australia. If you have a healthy child ask yourself one question before having them vaccinated “Am I confident that given the known short term risks and unknown long term risks of mRNA vaccination, approving vaccination is a good bet to take?”.

If you are older, as many CF members are, and fall into a higher risk category if infected, do you really want a child to be taking on any risk at all to possibly benefit you health wise or simply because hitting vaccination targets permits restrictions to be lifted for you?

SWL

[GordMay]

According to the Canadian Paediatric Society:


The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks, and the vaccine is recommended for all eligible individuals, including children and youth in their 12th year and over.

“... A small increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis (< 1 case per 10,000) has been reported following vaccination with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in Canada and internationally, most often among adolescents and young adults < 30 years of age, males, and after the second dose. Although this safety signal is occurring at higher-than-expected background rates, most cases are mild ...
... The benefits of reducing overall complications, deaths, and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 infections continue to outweigh the risks in eligible populations ...”

Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Toronto, ON: Queen's Printer for Ontario; 2021. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-...itis.pdf?la=en (Accessed August 27, 2021).

Public Health Agency of Canada. Communiqué to health practitioners Reports of Myocarditis/pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination, June 3, 2021. https://www.cfpc.ca/CFPC/media/Resou...2021-FINAL.pdf (Accessed August 27, 2021).

BC Control for Disease Control. Myocarditis/ pericarditis in association with receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, June 11, 2021. http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site...A-vaccines.pdf (Accessed August 27, 2021).

Diaz GA, Parsons GT, Gering SK, Meier AR, Hutchinson IV, Robicsek A. Myocarditis and Pericarditis After Vaccination for COVID-19. JAMA. August 4, 2021.

Wallace M, Oliver S. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in adolescents and young adults: Benefits-risk discussion. ACIP Meeting, June 23, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/me...allace-508.pdf (Accessed August 27, 2021).

[RaymondR]

Hi Pingo and Bob,

what's wrong with you blokes. You've started on the new bloke in NSW before giving him a chance to acquire any substantial collection of screw ups when we already have a target with a vast range of incompetent blunders in Dangerous Dan. You'll spook the bugger before he becomes a decent target if you go to early.

[El Pinguino]

If I was young or had young children I would be taking my advice from a health proffesional not off a stranger on the internet. I would in the first instance be consulting ducuments like these two
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/sabs/D...021-sn-018.pdf
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/defa...vaccines_1.pdf

However I am neither young nor have young children so its all academic to me.
Meanwhile some 3.65 million Australians between the age of 12 and 30 have made an informed decision and been vaccinated.
In other news the make up of ambulance crews in Melbourne is being altered to cope with demand.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/v...07-p58y5i.html

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

Hi Pingo and Bob,

what's wrong with you blokes. You've started on the new bloke in NSW before giving him a chance to acquire any substantial collection of screw ups when we already have a target with a vast range of incompetent blunders in Dangerous Dan. You'll spook the bugger before he becomes a decent target if you go to early.

You must have missed the start yesterday, DP stumbled straight out of the gate.
I reckon he has been nobbled by his trainer - SM.

At least Dan is a stayer.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by GordMay

…..
Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Toronto, ON: Queen's Printer for Ontario; 2021. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-...itis.pdf?la=en (Accessed August 27, 2021).

Public Health Agency of Canada. Communiqué to health practitioners Reports of Myocarditis/pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination, June 3, 2021. https://www.cfpc.ca/CFPC/media/Resou...2021-FINAL.pdf (Accessed August 27, 2021).

BC Control for Disease Control. Myocarditis/ pericarditis in association with receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, June 11, 2021. http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site...A-vaccines.pdf (Accessed August 27, 2021).

Diaz GA, Parsons GT, Gering SK, Meier AR, Hutchinson IV, Robicsek A. Myocarditis and Pericarditis After Vaccination for COVID-19. JAMA. August 4, 2021.

Wallace M, Oliver S. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in adolescents and young adults: Benefits-risk discussion. ACIP Meeting, June 23, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/me...allace-508.pdf (Accessed August 27, 2021).

Only one of your links discusses 12-15 year olds.

The US and Canada gave emergency approval for the use of Pfizer in 12+ year olds in May 2021 (Israel & EU started use in June, UK in September).

- The first article you linked was released 13 July 2021 and relates to reports received in May.
It simply states myocarditis and pericarditis has been reported mainly in male adolescents and young adults usually after the second dose. Use has not been discontinued, but countries are “following the emerging evidence on this topic very closely as further information is collected.”

- The second article was released 3 June 2021, barely 3 weeks after emergency approval for 12-15 year olds.

- The third article was released days later on 11 June 2021. It discusses only 16+ year olds.

- The JAMA article you did not provide a link for did not look specifically at 12-15 year olds either. The data examined was from Feb to May 2021:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...rticle/2782900

- The last article from the CDC was also written in June and is the only one that discusses the incidence of myocarditis in 12-15 year olds.

Data following a few weeks of use following emergency approval in not strong evidence that benefit outweighs risk.

The WHO currently states that although over 12 year olds at high risk should be vaccinated against COVID-19, “More evidence is needed on the use of the different COVID-19 vaccines in children to be able to make general recommendations on vaccinating children against COVID-19.”
https://www.who.int/emergencies/dise...accines/advice

SWL

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

If I was young or had young children I would be taking my advice from a health proffesional not off a stranger on the internet. I would in the first instance be consulting ducuments like these two
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/sabs/D...021-sn-018.pdf
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/defa...vaccines_1.pdf
….

Health professionals who voice concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccines risk being suspended or having university appointments removed. Not many will speak up if livelihood is at stake. This is unprecedented as far as I am aware.

Which bit of the documents you present would you be relying on exactly when making a decision to vaccinate 12-15 year olds?

The first one links refer to information released on the 30th July and does not discuss that age group.

The second link from the 6th August states that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are only recommended for 12-15 year olds with specific medical conditions that increase their risk or if they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.

I wouldn’t be relying on any advice from any strangers on the internet either. Nor would I be relying on government advice. Simply keep an open mind and do some critical in depth reading when it comes to important issues.

SWL

[El Pinguino]

SWL, I'm a busy man - I don't have time to read all the links I post - I leave that work to others.

Just back in from toiling in the fields - here is some 6 week old info for you
https://www.theage.com.au/world/midd...26-p58m4x.html
Risk of heart inflammation is between 1 and 5 per 100,000 amongst those that have been vaxxed
Risk of heart inflammation is 11 per 100,000 amongst those who catch the virus.

I'll take the vax thanks.

Risk amongst our youth of getting a fried brain or toasted liver due to the use of drugs, either legal or illegal, over the next 40 years is considerably greater than either of those figures.

[Wotname]

From today's Mercury (page 7, hard copy)...
The number of blood clots (TTS) linked to AZ in Australia is 151. That comprises 84 cases confirmed and 67 probable. Number of AZ doses in almost 12 million.
That's about 1 in 80,000 doses, give or take. It doesn't distinguish between single or double dosed people nor does it give the number of deaths from TTS.

Don't have a link 'cause the Mercury is behind a paywall - I found a used hard copy on the bus seat.

[Wotname]

Meanwhile Graig Kelly is all in a bother since the FB outage - read more here (un-paywalled)

https://www.theshovel.com.au/2021/10...Tg6O0oFLsPkgfo