Vaccines are no magic solution to the public health challenges of the COVID pandemic

In a masterpiece of sophistry, AstraZeneca boss Pascal Soriot, without telling a lie, encourages the false belief that his vaccine, along with the others, will stop COVID-19 in its tracks. (“ ‘This is our Dunkirk evacuation’: vaccine will save us all”, 5/3).

In mentioning the Therapeutic Goods Administration, he fails to disclose that it has gone no further than saying that vaccination will, potentially, lessen the severity of the condition and improve the chances of recovery.

The federal government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Taskforce states clearly, “Until there is a better understanding of this (protection from contracting the virus and spreading it), the primary objective of the vaccine rollout is to protect individuals from developing life-threatening disease, rather than protecting individuals from infection”.

It also clearly states that, “TGA has found that there is not yet enough evidence to be certain that the vaccine also prevents a vaccinated individual from transmitting the virus to others”.

If Mr Soriot wants to confound the anti-vaxxers, he could start by telling the whole truth about his vaccine.

Frank Pulsford, Aspley, Qld

I just wanted to get in first with this, rather than waiting to hear a health minister declaim it at a press conference. With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to the general public due to start soon, there will be some people who will decline immediate vaccination. Not COVID-deniers or anti-vaxxers, these are the people who would prefer to wait a bit for the supposedly better sort of vaccine that might become available later. They are the “jab snobs”. Keep an eye out for them; they will soon be walking among us.

Garry P Dalrymple, Earlwood, NSW

Good grief. Could the critics of General Campbell please get a grip (“I was not blaming victims: ADF chief”, 4/3). It is only common sense to protect ourselves by our own behaviour.

We have the mail taken in by neighbours if we are on holiday. We lock our cars and put valuables out of sight when we park away from home.

What is the issue with telling young people to try to have company when they are returning home late at night and being aware of where they go? I would have told my three daughters this.

This is nothing to do with whose fault criminal behaviour is — it is taking responsibility for our own safety.

Sheila Knight, Malvern, Vic

Greg Sheridan bases his support for the contract with French Naval Group (“Short of nuclear subs, we won’t do better than these”, 4/3) largely on economic and industrial considerations. One aspect consistently overlooked is vulnerability.

Conventional submarines will not be able to compete on an even playing field.

For a maritime commander to assign them to hot-war operations against an enemy equipped with nuclear submarines which are superior in vital respects — speed, endurance, sustainability, avoidance of detection and predictably, firepower — would be verging on the irresponsible.

Many would judge it to be almost as criminally negligent as the actions of generals in World War I who ordered soldiers out of the trenches to face almost certain death.

Nuclear submarines may be, as James Goldrick is quoted as saying, the “apex predators of maritime conflict”. Conventional submarines are not — not even those equipped with what Sheridan calls “the magnificent US combat system”.

Jim Dickson, ex-RAN, Mount Eliza, Vic

Greg Sheridan’s article in praise of our purchase of 12 unbelievably expensive French submarines, contains many questionable assertions and observations.

Perhaps the most glaring is the disregard of one fundamental fact — conventionally powered, conventionally armed submarines have played no significant part in military operations or strategic imperatives in the past 75 years.

Short of World War III, there is no reason for that fact to be disturbed.

Ian Richards, former rear admiral, Waverton, NSW

It is an understatement to say COVID-19 has had a big impact on international travel. I recently received messages to renew my passport but am reluctant to shell out for something that I will be unable to use for quite some time.

Many businesses and organisations have extended their membership dates due to COVID-19.

The passport system is more involved and expensive if you make a new application rather than renew. Why should people be penalised for not renewing a passport which is in effect a lame duck product?

Jenny Esots, Willunga, SA