SONYA BENNETT:
Good afternoon, everybody. Ready to go? Well, good afternoon. I'm pleased to be here with you this afternoon. I've actually got some very good news to share, which you've probably already heard. But yesterday, Australia, as a nation, did reach the 80 per cent double vaccinated mark. So, at least 80 per cent of all Australians have had two doses of the COVID vaccine and that's fantastic news. From a state and territory point of view, all the states and territories are making fantastic progress as well. And almost all, and certainly if not today, the next few days, we'll all have reached the 80 per cent first dose mark. So, once we know that once we get to dose one, then we can expect at least 80 per cent in a few weeks, in three or four weeks, that in each state and territory 80 per cent of the population will also be double vaccinated. So, that's fantastic news.
So, it is time for some celebration, and there are many people who are out and about and enjoying time with friends and family and feeling reassured that if they do come into contact with COVID that they won't necessarily get unwell. And I think that's great for those people and those of us that are vaccinated. But what we know is that as older people continue- the vaccination coverage in older people is very high, so it's up in the 90s. So, most of the cases that we have seen this year, are occurring in those younger age groups, so the 18-60 year olds are the vast majority of those. And vaccination uptake is very good in those groups, but we still have a large number of people who are unvaccinated, which is of concern. Because of those cases that we've seen this year, 119,140, we still saw 10 per cent of those people at least go to hospital, 1.4 per cent in intensive care, and 0.7 per cent have died this year. So, the vast majority of those in hospital were not fully vaccinated. And indeed, in New South Wales, the statistics show that only 5.4 per cent of cases in hospital were fully vaccinated. So, that means the majority of those who did go to hospital after being infected with COVID were either partially vaccinated or not vaccinated at all.
And I think that really stresses the importance of vaccination, for those who are yet to be vaccinated or for those who are still considering it. And what I'd like to do today is probably address some of those concerns or considerations that people who are still thinking about getting vaccinated or not vaccinated might have. And I think the first and foremost is people's feeling about their risk of getting COVID. Now, whilst many states and territories have not seen COVID in the community, circulating in the community, in time that will occur. So, COVID will be in the community in each and every area in Australia over time as we open up. So, it will be there. You won't always be able to- you won't be able tell who has COVID. And if you're out and about, eventually everybody will be exposed to COVID at some stage. Now, of those we know that not everyone will get very sick, but as I've already indicated for those that do get COVID, we still see a significant proportion of people get unwell enough to go to hospital and that's about 10 per cent. So everyone will be at risk of being exposed to COVID. The best way to protect yourself against severe disease is to get vaccinated.
Other considerations that people have spoken about is the risk of the vaccine. Now, early on I think it's reasonable for people to be cautious about getting the vaccine, but as we've said time and time again, the vaccine development went through rigorous processes. In Australia, we had our own rigorous processes through the TGA and through ATAGI, and we've now seen over 36 million doses in individuals in Australia and we know that the vaccine is safe and effective. So I think we can be reassured that the vaccine is safe and effective, and not a reason not to go and get the vaccine.
Thirdly, access. Again, there were some concerns around access to the vaccine availability in the early stages of the rollout, but we now have plenty of vaccine around the country for people to go and get vaccinated. And also plenty of places to access vaccine. So now you can now access vaccine in your GPs, pharmacies, state or territory run clinics, et cetera. So access should not be a problem, and it's very readily accessible. If you look online either through your state health department or the Commonwealth, you'll be able to see where you can go and get vaccinated. And the other good news is we're now seeing- we will see Pfizer vaccine in general practices as well this week. So up until now, Pfizer has had- pharmacies have had- sorry, Pfizer in pharmacies. Up until now, pharmacies have had AstraZeneca and Moderna, but they'll have Pfizer as well, if that's your particular choice of vaccine.
The other thing, I'd probably like to address as a public health physician is just our own autonomy in our decision making now. Clearly, the government- the governments, so state and territory governments and the Commonwealth strongly encourage vaccination because it's protect- it's going to protect all of us individually and collectively against COVID. And I just encourage people to think of it in the same way you think about putting your seatbelt on when you get in the car. We know that driving a car is risky, but we continue to do it because it's essential and so we protect ourselves as best we can through things like seatbelts and other measures. Cars [indistinct] safety is increased and I'm young- and I'm old enough to remember when we weren't wearing seatbelts. And so these measures that are brought in are to protect ourselves and we make our decisions around that as well. And I just encourage everybody, the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against COVID. There are, of course, all the other measures, and we're seeing some of them today here like good hygiene, staying home when unwell, and hand washing. But the vaccine is your best way to protect yourself when you're making that decision.
So I guess what I- I'm no longer a frontline worker, but for me, it really is about those people that are now not vaccinated and turning our mind to that because we've heard the stories and we heard them in Victoria that people who either for any of the reasons I've just outlined either think they're not going to get COVID or think the vaccine's unsafe and they do get COVID and find themselves in intensive care. And then we've heard stories of when they ask for the vaccine, and I find that particularly haunting. And we really don't want to see anybody in that position. There is plenty of vaccine available. There is time to get the vaccine now, and I'd encourage everybody to do so.
So the other the other announcement today is just that officially tomorrow, the booster program also commences in GPs and pharmacies. And so that's good news also. So for those people 18 and up who had a vaccine six, at least six months ago or more, we'd encourage you to start to make an appointment and go and get your booster dose as well. That won't be the majority of us, but there's plenty of vaccine for all of us to get a booster dose when that time comes. So for those that have had their first call six months ago, we'd encourage you to start thinking about making an appointment now.
So with that, I'm happy to take questions.
QUESTION:
Now that we have reached that 80 per cent milestone, are you anticipating that the rate will really slow of people coming forward for their first jab? And is there any evidence as to who's in that 20 per cent that haven't received any doses? Are they anti-vaxxers more so than people who just haven't got around to it?
SONYA BENNETT:
At some point, we do anticipate it will slow, but I think we've still got a ways to go. So as I said, whilst as a nation where at 80 per cent start, some states and territories are just getting to 80 per cent first dose. So we'll continue to say over the next four weeks, people getting their second dose. But we'd also like to see those who haven't had their first dose come forward. So there's still a large number of people who haven't. We'd like to not see it slow. I think clearly the higher vaccination coverage that we have as a country, the less virus will be circulating and the more people we'll see protected and the less impact on our health system. So we'd encourage people still to come forward. The reasons that I've outlined that I've just addressed are those where I think people are still- some of the people still thinking about it because they think COVID's far away. Some might be still worried about the risk of the vaccine as well. Some feel like they're being told what to do, where it really is their decision. And so it's for all of those reasons, I think not anti-vaccination per say, but a range of reasons, people have not yet had the vaccine. But I'm really hoping they listen to what I've said today, so they come forward and have their first dose.
QUESTION:
Vaccination rates amongst 12 to 15 year olds in New South Wales and Victoria have slowed over the last week, and in other states and territories, they're quite far behind. What's being done to counter that and encourage those younger people to come forward for vaccines? And also, you mentioned Pfizer and pharmacies from this week. Do you know how many pharmacies have ordered and do you expect that number to increase over coming weeks?
SONYA BENNETT:
I don't have those figures exactly as to how many pharmacies have ordered, but I do understand that there will be broad access through pharmacies. So those pharmacies that already have vaccines should also be able to offer Pfizer. And I just encourage people if they're not sure and they particularly want Pfizer, to go ahead and call, noting that the other vaccines are just as effective and safe as well and those eligible for those vaccines, they are just as good to receive. With respect to the 12 and 15 year olds, I think the most important communicator for 12 to 15 year olds of their family and their peers. And so there is a range of messaging for both, if as an adult, there's clearly messages and the ones that we're hearing today, I'd encourage them to think about their children and have a talk with their children around what their personal choice is. And there's also a range of social media messaging targeting, appropriately, different age groups, demographics and also cultural groups as well.
QUESTION:
Pfizer says the new coronavirus antiviral drug is highly effective at preventing or reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death. Is Australia looking at that at all? Are there any plans to purchase it at this stage or are we looking at other options at the moment?
SONYA BENNETT:
So we'll absolutely be looking at that. I mean, we will look at everything that either prevents or treats COVID, and molnupiravir is one of those, and that's the tablet that I think we're talking about, that the UK has just approved. So there is a move to purchase some of that antiviral. However, it'll go through a process. So it still needs to go through the same process that the vaccine has, that it will be looked at by TGA and approved and registered for use. But absolutely, once that's done, we should have that drug available for treatment.
QUESTION:
On the booster program, is there any more clarity as to whether this is going to be an annual shot we all have to get or every six months? Are there any more studies providing any more light on that?
SONYA BENNETT:
No. So we won't know- time will provide light on that. And that's where the studies will be done. I think everybody has an opinion. My mind would be that clearly it's important to get this first booster. There's no doubt about that. And the more people that are vaccinated, the less COVID we'll see circulating. But there will be a global issue. And so it's really going to depend on how both domestically and internationally, how vaccination coverage goes. I think over time, what will happen is that it's unlikely that it will be an annual vaccine or booster but periodically may well be required.
QUESTION:
And is there any update on where the application is with the Pfizer for five to 11 year olds? And do you know how long it could be before we actually see that go through?
SONYA BENNETT:
Yeah, I don't have an update on the timing. I mean, I think you already know it is- TGA's currently looking at that application of process and the studies that were done, recognising that it has been approved in the US as well. But part of the reason people can be assured about the safety of our vaccines in Australia is the processes we go through and so that won't be rushed. They'll have a good look at the data available and also any emerging data that's coming out of other countries who are already vaccinating and make that decision.
QUESTION:
That mean it could still be months away?
SONYA BENNETT:
I doubt it would be months. No, I don't think it will be months away at all, the decision. The program might be a while off, but I think we'll have a decision I would think this year, but I can't pre-empt. It is a TGA decision.
QUESTION:
Could you explain the importance of people who've been fully vaccinated for six months or more to come forward and get a booster when they're eligible to?
SONYA BENNETT:
So what we understand about boosters, what we know that two doses is highly effective, as I said, against preventing people getting severe disease. But we do see through initially both [indistinct] serology studies, which measure the level of antibody in your blood, which correlates with immunity, and more recently, some studies emerging from countries such as Israel that also the immunity does seem to wane in protecting you against getting infection and potentially severe disease as well. So whilst that's not strong, and two doses are very effective at preventing severe disease for a length of time beyond- certainly beyond six months and for some time, that if a booster is available and at the six-month mark, when we know, we might start seeing more people getting both infection and potentially severe disease from waning immunity, then it's important to have that booster. It's particularly important for people more at risk of COVID, and then we will know who they are now. So older people, people with other illnesses that might predispose them to COVID, and pregnant women as well, and a range of other co-morbidities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. And while I'm talking about pregnant women, I did actually want to say when we're talking about hesitancy or concern around why people are deciding not to get the vaccine, we do understand there is some hesitancy in women that are pregnant. They're concerned about having a vaccine when they're pregnant. But I would urge them to talk to their- both their primary care physician and their obstetrician because getting COVID when you're pregnant has far worse outcomes, and we know the vaccine is safe and effective. So particularly for pregnant women, it's very important that they had- if they have concerns to go and talk to their doctors around that and strongly encourage them to get vaccinated.
QUESTION:
So that 20 per cent nationally, that of people who haven't had any vaccines, you- are many of them pregnant women? Do you have any idea they're [indistinct]?
SONYA BENNETT:
[Talks over] I don't have the data, but we know there are certain groups who are more hesitant than others, and what we're hearing is that women who are pregnant are. But it's often the case that those who are more concerned are often more at risk. So it's even more important that they go and get vaccinated as soon as they can if they find themselves pregnant or they're pregnant already.
QUESTION:
Have you seen the vision of anti-vaccine protests around the country this weekend? And how do you feel when you see that type of vision?
SONYA BENNETT:
I have to say I haven't seen the vision, but I have seen a lot of it before. Look, I think it just stresses the importance of getting the correct messaging to people. People have a decision to make themselves, and it's important that they seek out that authoritative information and make a decision that's really going to be best for them and their family.
Thank you.
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