It's strapping the parachutes on the sheep that is the problem
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We need options ;
What's in the detail?
The deal itself is only a "letter of intent" with an as-yet-unconfirmed "final formal agreement" to include vaccine distribution, timing and price — a price which is estimated to be in the billions if it comes off.
Unlike other countries, which have locked in agreements, insiders say the "letter of intent" is flimsy and summed up by the "deal" — also announced this week — with US medical technology company Becton Dickinson for 100 million needles and syringes for a vaccine that doesn't yet exist.
Further, CSL, Australia's biosecurity partner and the only company in the country with the capability to mass produce vaccines, currently does not have the technical capabilities to produce it.
Department of Health secretary Professor Brendan Murphy has indicated that CSL gave him advice that, with prior warning, it could move quickly to produce the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine if required.
The message was backed up by the Prime Minister.
CSL confirmed on Wednesday that it was "in discussions" with Oxford-AstraZeneca on "whether it is possible to provide local manufacturing support" at its Melbourne facility.
"We are assessing the viability of options ranging from the fill and finish of bulk product imported to Australia through to manufacture of the vaccine candidate under licence," it said in a statement.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is an "adenovirus" vaccine, a type which has never been produced in Australia before.
However, according to experts, it can be made in "mammalian cells" — the kind CSL produces for its influenza vaccine.
The ABC understands that with a substantial cash injection, CSL could realign its technology to produce the adenovirus version, and the Federal Government is pushing for the company to lock in a formal agreement with AstraZeneca.
However, mRNA vaccines, such as the Trump administration's Moderna candidate, are more complicated to make and would require a significant modification of CSL's technology.
Insiders suggest that would have been a factor in why the Federal Government has leant towards Oxford-AstraZeneca, with CSL effectively ruling out a move to locally produce an mRNA vaccine.
Publicly, CSL says its priority remains the University of Queensland's vaccine candidate, which is in the middle of human trials.
Something to lighten the mood on ED's in hospitals, courtesy of Mr Bean.
At the Hospital | Funny Episodes | Classic Mr Bean - YouTube
Re Eject Button.
Wot, eject them straight out through the roof?
I guess you could do that if said possible "patient" had a couple of your OXYGEN Cylinders strapped to their arse, valves down, on arrival. Just need to give the Triage Nurse the nod to fully open the valves & they cease to be a nuisance. Job done. Next patient Please.
PS I will just take Medicare only for this suggestion.[bigrolf]
I had separated vertebrae as a result of a scrum collapsing on me in an intervarsity match at St.Lucia. I heard my neck crack and started yelling.
Had to retire from Rugby.
Any visits I've had to emergency have been for pretty serious reasons .... like the time I was hit by a tram .... immediately after dislocating my knee ....
Edit: the cracking noise may have been my "hangman's bone" breaking.
Quote:
Any visits I've had to emergency have been for pretty serious reasons .... like the time I was hit by a tram .... immediately after dislocating my knee ....
I bet that took your mind off your knee.[bigsad]:BigCry:
How come all the good things happen to you guys?