Australia and booster Covid Vaccines

[YelvertonDevon]

A very disheartening piece in newspaper this morning -

theguardian.com/australia-n...

[2016Longevity]

was his third or booster fix denied by his medical insurance or by the government?

[YelvertonDevon in reply to 2016Longevity]

Government- we don’t have enough vaccines.

[seelel in reply to YelvertonDevon]

And we don't have enough vaccines because...............(censored political content). 😍

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to seelel]

Per the article, it's not lack of vaccine (though indeed that is an issue in Australia), but because the relevant body is yet to update the federal Department of Health’s immunisation handbook specifically for CLL:-Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation "[Atagi] will provide further advice in the coming months based on the clinical evidence informing the use of additional vaccine doses, including whether a booster dose is required to maintain protection against Covid-19 and, if so, how often it should be administered.”

While it is concerning to read that newspaper report, good on Brian Gee, who has CLL, for highlighting this serious issue for us fellow Australians. It's great too, that his haematologist is keeping up with international developments on the importance of boosters to protect those with CLL.

Neil

[YelvertonDevon in reply to AussieNeil]

If ATAGI said third vaccine needed - we are back to the no vaccine available scenario until 2022? I see my Haematologist in a couple of weeks and will be interested in what he says.

[YelvertonDevon in reply to seelel]

😂

[2016Longevity in reply to YelvertonDevon]

that sucks .. Yeah, your government was far too laid back on that one

[seelel in reply to 2016Longevity]

Yes - and has also attempted to solve a medical problem with political and economic solutions. We amble and bumble down the pandemic road with a 'She'll be right mate' state of mind.

[roszika]

Hi I asked my specialist at peter mac Melbourne for the antibody test as I have had both A Z shots and also I asked for a third booster shot as my friend in Connecticut USA who also had cll has had his 3 rd booster and I have relos in Israel who have had their booster and they done even have cll the antibody test I was told no and the booster I was told I could not get the booster and because I was not u Clyde’s in the Macfarlane Burnett study on who has antibodies the answer was no-so here I am a high risk tp53 gene deletion in my 70’s and the answer to. Org requests refused and I am a carer for young grandchildren and I live in the area south east Melbourne where twice big groups have disregarded the lock down rules and both requests turned down-this is not good-I have no idea if I have any antibodies so I understand how you feel-and before retiring I actually worked in Viv health as a pharmacist-this is not right that as a group. We the immuno compromised are waiting on some bureaucrats to even consider us

[Indie1234 in reply to roszika]

I, too, was refused to have antibody testing done. I was told it’s not done here in Australia. Very disappointing, as I’m a nurse working in a very high risk environment, and have no idea if I have made any antibodies following my two Covid vaccinations. The test is done in Australia as I have read that others have indeed had the test. Disappointing.

[roszika in reply to Indie1234]

Perhaps we need to start jumping up and down to get the antibody test and the booster jab-how about it Aussie Neil -what do you think?

[YelvertonDevon]

Fighting bureaucracy during a pandemic not good. Especially with news of the non Pfizer order in 2020 today under Freedom of Information. Think I read yesterday over 40% of population has some form of underlying condition. Special thank you from Queensland for helping keep us safe.

[Billarina]

I agree that this article is great publicity on getting things moving. I watched a top Australian immunologist speak on the ABC the other night saying it was needed and inevitable that immuno- compromised people will need a 3rd vaccine.

[paulgf54]

Well in Western Australia (aka Fortress Wa) i think we must have plenty of vaccines. The large government vaccination centre at my shopping centre is virtually empty everytime i go past and i have gone with friends to encourage them to get vaccinated and there are no appointments needed and walk ins are easy. It has been this way for weeks. Moderna is available in chemists and Astra venacae if requested. No shortage. However boosters not available until five months after the first two vaccinations. We have been fortunate not having covid here but this will of course change when the borders open next year.

Though i have mbl my specialist has warned me to be very careful, avoid crowds, restaurants and places with poor ventilation and the un vaccinated. The later hard to follow as living in a retirement village i know most are vaccinated but its not compulsory for other residents only staff and contractors.

Ps my fortress Wa comment is not negative, many of us like living this way. but realise it cannot go on, unfortunately.

[paulgf54]

Just a ps, i had two pfizer vaccines and am trying to read whether i would be better having a third pfizer for a booster of a moderna which is half dose, any ideas,suggestions