Outbreak ‘proves’ that jabs save lives

An analysis of Covid-19 cases in Victoria’s most recent outbreak has shown ‘the real power’ of vaccinations, the state’s chief health officer Brett Sutton says.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

An analysis of Covid-19 cases in Victoria’s most recent outbreak has shown “the real power” of vaccinations, the state’s chief health officer Brett Sutton says,

Just 10 of the 204 cases recorded between July 12 and July 28 were fully vaccinated; 25 had received at least one dose.

“Of those 10 positive cases, who were fully vaccinated, none of them were hospitalised or were either completely without symptoms or had mild symptoms,” Professor Sutton said.

Ten cases were hospitalised including a person in their 90s who had one dose and two people in their 50s who had also received one dose. Of the other seven in hospital, one person was in their 80s, one in their 50s, one in their 40s, one in their 30s and two in their 20s.

Of the 204 cases analysed, 29 were eligible to be vaccinated but hadn’t received a single dose.

Victoria recorded four new local Covid-19 cases on Saturday, all linked to known cases and already in isolation. The state currently has 161 active cases, three people are in intensive care and one is on a ventilator.

Professor Sutton said Victorian centres administered 15,841 vaccines on Saturday, bringing the total of state-administered doses to 1,646,952.

“We can look at the recent outbreak in Victoria to see the real power of that vaccination protecting us,” he said.

“We know this vaccine works. We know it reduces your risk of getting Covid, but especially of getting very sick from Covid and (there’s) increasingly compelling evidence from around the world where hundreds of millions, indeed billions of vaccines, have now been given globally.”

Professor Sutton said the US had recorded 1263 “breakthrough deaths” of those fully vaccinated but that was about one per 130,000 people.

“So if you’re a fully vaccinated individual, your risk of dying from Covid becomes exceedingly rare, so please, if you’re eligible, step up and get that protection,” he said.

“And if it’s time for your second dose, come back and get that full protection.”

Professor Sutton said he wouldn’t be able to change the minds of those fervently against vaccinations, but urged people who were hesitant to look at countries with low levels of inoculation and speak to their GP. While infections were currently low in Victoria, he said, that could quickly change.

The Victorian government will also now administer the second Pfizer dose at least six weeks after the first in a bid to get more people vaccinated.

Previously, Pfizer appointments at state-run hubs were spaced three weeks apart.

Professor Sutton said there was no change to people who already had their second Pfizer dose booked.