Vaccine to be rolled out with more data and utmost safety

I refer to Caroline Overington’s article “Dangers of delaying the jab outweigh benefits” (29/12), which discusses the time taken for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia compared with some other countries.

While some countries, such as the UK, Canada and the US, are vaccinating certain patient groups such as the elderly, it should be emphasised these countries have generally provided an emergency use authorisation and not a regulatory approval for the use of these vaccines. In the past week the EU has granted a one-year “conditional” marketing authorisation to one vaccine.

This approach reflects the much greater severity of the COVID–19 emergency in these countries. As of Tuesday, there have been 334,000 deaths in the US from COVID-19 and 520,000 in Europe — 370 and 580 times respectively more than in Australia.

Australia is on track to have the first COVID-19 vaccine provisionally registered by the end of January. The Therapeutic Goods Administration’s rolling review of COVID-19 vaccines is being undertaken with the greatest priority, without compromising our strict standards.

The TGA’s anticipated approvals will be based on full data dossiers regarding safety, quality and efficacy of the vaccine, as is required for any other vaccine used in Australia. The information submitted to northern hemisphere authorities for their authorisations consisted of “data available at the time”.

This additional data and a batch-release process will improve the potential to identify any rare but serious adverse events from the vaccines. The experience from the use of the vaccine in the UK and US, in which some healthcare workers have suffered anaphylactic or severe allergic responses, has already guided Australian deployment plans.

The TGA will coordinate a register of vaccinations and surveillance of short-term reactions and detection of any rare but potentially serious adverse events. This is important to ensure everyone vaccinated in Australia receives a consistent, potent vaccine.

Adjunct Professor John Skerritt, Deputy Secretary and head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Canberra, ACT

Caroline Overington is right to question the Morrison government’s apparently slow roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines. The assertion that we can afford to wait because the incidence of the virus within Australia is negligible misses the point that the vaccine is not only a health tool — it is the key to getting back to normal life. It is especially important when we have eight panicky premiers and chief ministers ready to bring down the shutters at the slightest sign of risk. As Overington says, Australians want to get on with their lives and the threat of further lockdowns and on/off border restrictions needs to be eliminated.

Robert Carling, Mosman, NSW

Surviving Sydney

I’m a Forestville resident. That’s in the southern zone of Sydney’s northern beaches. I have three children and five grandchildren. While we are not as “tied down” as Geoff Taylor (Letters, 29/12) in the northern zone we are not complaining because there is very little point.

We are 10 months into a once-in-100-year pandemic and it has been very hard for millions of Australians, especially in terms of seeing members of the family, particularly the grandchildren. My view is that a month of not physically seeing the grandchildren is actually not a big deal, especially when we have superb technology available on every mobile phone and desktop/laptop to see them and converse as though they were in the next room. I am 72 and, given my life expectancy is about 83, that still leaves me plenty of time to see my grandchildren.

Norman Arnott, Forestville, NSW

Cheers for that

Every year, for as long as I can remember, we have been putting a six-pack of beer out for the garbage collectors at this time of the year, without any problems. A small gesture of goodwill and a very Australian thing to do. I remember my parents doing it — a single “tallie”. Until now. This year the six-pack was stolen, possibly by someone walking the dog or coming home late from a party. All this between 5.30am and 7am on Monday. I am staggered. There goes another great Australian tradition.

Rob Camping, Bellbowrie, Qld

C’mon Aussies

The cricket selectors need to find a way to include Glenn Maxwell in our cricket Test team. He will bring excitement to the game and is unlikely to do any worse than any of the incumbents. If he is thought to be just a T20 basher, remember that was the view held of David Warner before he was called into the Test team. Maxwell would put the Indian bowlers on the back foot.

Malcolm McMurray, St Ives, NSW

Never has it been truer that it is more difficult to be dropped from the Australian cricket team than it is to be elected. Joe Burns is a great sportsman going through a significant form slump that has lasted for months. Every sportsperson goes through these times. He also displays some significant technique flaws.

However, to persist in selecting him above others more deserving in this season is both cruel to Joe whose confidence must be crushed and to those who are in better form. When playing a formidable opponent like India, the selectors must do better.

John Vickers, Bellbowrie, Qld

The numerous dropped catches of the Australians has cost them dearly and reflect poorly on ex-baseball player Mike Young’s ability as a fielding coach. Also, Graeme Hick, whom Cricket Australia sacked as batting coach a few months ago as part of a coronavirus cull, should be immediately reinstated.

John Hughes, Kincumber, NSW

As in politics, a week is a long time in cricket.

Peter Hay, Islington, NSW