Well if you were, Mario, you wont catch hypochondria. [bigrolf]
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Well if you were, Mario, you wont catch hypochondria. [bigrolf]
Fairly simple calculations show that given the published data on the delta strain and the vaccine efficacy, to stop spread using only vaccination requires more than 80% vaccination of the whole population including kids.
If you have less than this, you need additional measures to reduce the overall effective infection rate. If you start with only a few cases, you can probably manage with just "test and trace", but if the number of cases is large, this is too slow and other methods must be used. Depending on how close you are to 80+%, this might be a few simple restrictions, perhaps requiring proof of vaccination for some situations, and continuing some infection control measures, but if the numbers overwhelm the "test and trace" capabilities, lockdowns remain the only way to allow them to catch up. And in all cases isolation as soon as diagnosed is an essential part of the mix (same as when I was growing up for a number of diseases.
I mentioned the 80% concept awhile ago.
The 80% is blurred (eligible vs. total) by the pollies so it's great to see a few people have the real target in mind and are prepared to reinforce it, lest we end up thinking there's been a job well done that is only half baked.
DL
Just watched the so called anti lockdown protests on ABC in Melbourne. Disgusting.
Oz population is some 25 million. So talk of a target of 70% being vaccinated will leave 7 million plus unprotected and vulnerable to catching Covid. That is a sobering thought.
From the New York Times;
As incredible as it sounds, the US FDA has not yet given full approval for the COVID Pfizer vaccine. The FDA is pushing to give full approval Monday, there being still a substantial amount of paperwork , and negotiation with the company. The approval is expected to pave the way for a series of vaccination requirements by public and private organisations who were waiting final regulatory action before implementing mandates. Federal and State Health Officials are hoping that an approved vaccine will draw interest from some Americans who have been hesitant to take one that has only been authorised for emergency use.
Some Universities and Hospitals are expected to mandate inoculation once a vaccine has been approved. The Pentagon has said it will make vaccinations mandatory once approval has been given. Once it gains approval, Pfizer -BioNTech is planning to ask the FDA to approve a third shot as a booster shot. The Biden administration announced that fully vaccinated adults should prepare to get booster shots eight months after they get their second doses. Pfizer is expected to finish submitting data that it says a third dose is safe and effective, next week.
Just for a slight change...and some balance.
Back in 2017, we had a nasty 'Flu year, over 220,000 notified infections and 1,250 or so DEATHS. from FLU... Proved. No argument... And all ages, babies, kids, teens,.... Seniors. Previously healthy or not.
Anyone remember the sheer panic, lock-downs, (suicides & DV ) social distancing, interstate borders shut down and industries and jobs trashed ?
Neither do I.
Not also in 2019. when over 300,000 tested positive... and 800+ expired.
But 2020 was great for Flu, only 21,000 got sick, and less than....... 40 died.
This year, I think it's around 400 lab-tested Flu..... and no notified C of D. Yet.
3303.0 - Causes of Death, Australia, 2017
You need to compare apples to apples SQ. Covid 19 is not just another flu.
Population Under 16yo represents approximately 20% of total.
80% vaccination of eligible population represents 64% of total population.
To reach 70% vaccination of overall population, 87.5% eligible population needs to be vaccinated.
It's not going to be easy.
If they can move forward with the approval for the use of COVID vaccines in children, we'll have a better chance meeting the numbers.