Cancer Australia FAQs COVID-19 Vaccine

Not sure if any are aware of this.

My youngest sister is now Stage 4.  She also is under an Immunologist and he wants her to have these injections however the Stage 4 diagnosis is in planning stage as to appropriate treatment so her Oncologist has suggested she wait

https://www.tga.gov.au/tga-provisionally-approves-astrazenecas-combination-therapy-tixagevimab-and-cilgavimab-evusheld-pre-exposure-prevention-prophylaxis-covid-19

The new ‘health advice’ turns commonsense on its head. Pushed by Perrottet, those with the virus are now free to act as they choose, those who want to avoid the virus are those in masks, missing out on normal activities and often most at risk. Personal responsibility? More like no responsibility at all. 

It is a real worry, isn't it @Ellamary98?  I was quite anal about keeping my husband away from anyone who could possibly pass it to him (he was Stage 4) .... he had one bad reaction to the 4th shot ....

I am not really sure they've thought this fully thru with the elderly and those who are ill/on chemo etc ... THEY are the ones who will pay for this decision. :( 

We get RAT tested going into Nursing Homes .... 

take care xx

My GP has suggested I can have a 5th shot, as this would really be my 2nd booster ( given the 3rd shot was considered part of the initial regime for cancer patients). However, my oncologist thinks I don’t need it, even though my last booster was in April. I had a rough 36 hours after each booster, and he thinks I should avoid it. I have not had covid yet, despite living with 5 young adults and teens, but as I’m currently on chemo, I must admit I am concerned with the new health advice!

Hi @iserbrown.  We have BIL in a Ballarat facility.  Initially we had to provide all the vaccination proof but now I think they go by the RAT test done as one enters, along with the lengthy form which has to be completed.  Also, visits have to be in private rooms, not in shared areas.

Yesterday we toured two aged care facilities.   There's no interest in if we are vaccinated and how many we've had.  It's all about a negative RAT test

Friends overseas are having their 3rd booster shot but that may be due to going into their colder months.  Guessing we may be offered another next autumn but probably no longer free to all as it has been.
Agree, it is a worry that people do not have to isolate - more reason to wear our masks to protect ourselves as much as possible.

That’s my understanding, at least for now. As my 2nd booster was in April, I am nearing 6 months with no real clarity as to how effective my booster is after that time. Mandatory isolation is ending on 14 October - not that I think those who are infected have necessarily been maintaining isolation (no checks) and people with no symptoms but living in a household with Covid have been able to go out and about with impunity for ages. I have an appt with my GP soon and will ask about the new Omicron targeted vaccine. Perfectly happy to pay! 

So it would appear that there are no more boosters after No 4? 

And from mid Oct - you now do not have to isolate any more even if you DO get Covid! (Unless you work in aged care, disability care, Aboriginal health care and hospital care.) I'm Not too keen on THAT idea!!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-30/national-cabinet-isolation-rules-covid-19/101489776

I can only imagine there will still be big surges/outbreaks all year - for a while to come yet .... and it will be the elderly and unwell who will be paying the price. :(  I'll be wearing my mask when out & about, that is for sure.

https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-statement-on-use-of-the-moderna-bivalent-originalomicron-vaccine

Expanding on your comment @Julez1958  :) - Thankyou

Eligibility expanded for COVID boosters and antivirals

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated its recommendations for a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine to help reduce severe disease from the emerging surge of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariant infections, and to reduce the burden on Australian hospitals and the healthcare system in coming months. You can read the full  ATAGI statement via link ATAGI updated recommendations for a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care