Big questions over targets, vaccines and elimination strategies

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant made an interesting admission when asked about the vaccination status of the limousine driver who set off the current cluster in Sydney. She stated, correctly, that he could have caught and transmitted the virus even if vaccinated. This raises the question – what per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated so that the current elimination strategy and its associated regulations can be permanently retired?

Any vaccination target short of 100 per cent will leave some people vulnerable to the virus, while those vaccinated are unlikely to need hospitalisation or to die, even if infected. The states have become so entrenched in an elimination strategy that it is hard to see them agreeing on a vaccination target that leaves some vulnerable. Hot spots, lockdowns and border closures may be with us for a long time.

Peter Cornish, Neutral Bay, NSW

What pleasure to read a considered letter by Haydn Walters (Letters, 21/6) that focuses on disease-control strategies. Walters nails it with his focus on strategy in managing and mitigating risk, a skill set that seems largely overlooked by our health bureaucracy focused on a narrow set of key performance indicators better suited to a tertiary hospital setting. To date an overarching strategic plan that targets effective intervention appears sadly lacking. Covid is one of many threats society will face over the coming years and it is time our leaders were far more focused and strategic in their thinking.

Joanna Wriedt, Eaglemont, Vic

Both federal and state governments need to come clean with the Australian people regarding supply of Pfizer vaccine following the mandating of its use in people under 60. The authorities have asked people to discuss it with their general practitioner. This has caused concern among older patients as well. As a GP I need an evidence base on which to give my advice. At the very least we need to know the monthly expected deliveries to Australia of Pfizer vaccines from now until Christmas. Meanwhile, with winter community outbreaks starting, I am pleased to have had my AstraZeneca vaccine which is 92 per cent effective against severe disease, as has been proved in Britain and Europe.

Dr Noela Whitby, Carindale Medical Clinic, Qld

Electric dreams

While we join the chorus congratulating the NSW government on its Electric Vehicle Strategy, Volkswagen Group Australia has stated with reason that this country resides in the “automotive third world” (“We’re a pragmatic mob, happy to ride with PM on climate”, 21/6).

The federal government’s proposed introduction in 2024 of petrol with 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur – a decade behind Europe – will at last enable importers to access the most efficient engines. These cannot run even on what passes in Australia for premium unleaded. While VW’s petrol vehicles meet Euro 6 standards, those of many competitors meet only Euro 5. Unsellable in advanced markets, these pass muster in Australia and can run on basic unleaded petrol with 150ppm. In contrast with NSW, the Andrews government will tax EVs while these comprise less than one per cent of new vehicle sales. Plug-in hybrids are taxed by both Victoria’s thought-bubble road user charge and the fuel excise. Old tech hybrids that run on 150ppm petrol escape this double impost. In the global context, this is, indeed, as we say, “embarrassing”.

Michael Bartsch, managing director, Volkswagen Group Australia

Electric vehicles create another lucrative business opportunity for those able to get in on the ground floor; but think about the thousands of jobs at risk if we hurry fossil fuel-driven vehicles off the road. Then there’s the issue of affordability for many forced to upgrade.

We need to consider the impact versus the potential good.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

Chinese whispers

While nailing the green-left for their myopia concerning actual threats to the planet and to free society, Nick Cater reminds us of a sick irony regarding China and the pandemic (“China aided by left’s contempt for democracy”, 21/6). This is that in smashing much of the free world’s economy and therefore its energy consumption, the Wuhan pandemic has substantially reduced global emissions. China’s only contribution to action on climate change. This has pushed unthinking foreign governments further into the Belt and Road debt trap.

Only by acknowledging such realities are we able to appreciate the PM’s careful balancing of Australia’s national interests with populist environmental calls and the virtue-signalling of much of the business world, pressured by the industry super funds.

Having done so well abroad, Scott Morrison walks an unenviable tightrope at home.

John Morrissey, Hawthorn, Vic