Top doc promises COVID vaccine will save lives Australia’s chief medical officer has hosed down criticism of the Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccine, declaring it will work.
Health by Tom Minear and Alanah Frost 13th Jan 2021 8:13 PM
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Subscriber only Australia s top doctor has slapped down medicos criticising our coronavirus vaccination plan and assured Australians the jabs they receive will save lives and prevent severe illness. Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly accused some doctors of stoking controversy about the Melbourne-made AstraZeneca jab, declaring it would be very effective in stopping the worst symptoms of COVID-19. The Pfizer vaccine, developed with new mRNA technology, rated as more effective than the AstraZeneca option in clinical trials, although both were successful in preventing serious health problems and keeping coronavirus patients out of hospital.
Health by Clare Armstrong
Premium Content A promising vaccine tipped as a frontrunner to protect the world from COVID-19 in the long-term may be produced on Australian shores, as medical experts vow to use every available option to deliver safe and effective jabs. After walking away from University of Queensland s protein-based vaccine, the federal Government is now in talks to domestically produce the Novavax candidate - which uses similar technology - if trials prove it is effective. The Daily Telegraph understands Melbourne-based manufacturer CSL has potential capacity to produce a large volume of the 51 million doses Australia has secured so far under a purchase agreement with Novavax.
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On the last day of 2020, NSWâs Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant was asked if she had any New Yearâs resolutions.
She hadnât given it much thought, she told reporters at her final press conference of a bruising year. âBut I think most people can imagine what it will be ⦠to rapidly bring this cluster under control and no community transmission of COVID-19.â
Nurse Menu Caur conducts a test at a site in North Narrabeen on Monday.
Credit:Sam Mooy
Chant is no dreamer. We need to remember we re continually under threat and we are never going to go back to normal, she said. COVID will change our lives âfor literally years to comeâ.