But AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot said new data would show the vaccine would be just as effective as the already-approved Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that protect 95 per cent of patients.And it would be “100 per cent effective” in preventing severe illness.“We think we have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that, after two doses, is up there with everybody else,” Mr Soriot said.Senior UK government officials expect the drug watchdog will approve the vaccine before Thursday, kickstarting the rollout of the jab to 15m vulnerable people in Britain.A spokesman for federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the news was “promising”, and paved the way for the entire population to be vaccinated by the end of next year.
“Data on vaccine safety and efficacy is increasingly promising, leading to confidence that there will be a range of successful vaccines being available in 2021,” the spokesman said.Unlike the US, Britain and Canada which slashed red tape to fast-track vaccines, the Australian government plans to roll out the vaccine in March.“Before any COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use in Australia, it will be subject to the well-established and rigorous assessment and approval processes of the Therapeutic Goods Administration,” Mr Hunt’s spokesman said.“The rollout of the vaccine in Australia will be guided by the Medical experts of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.”
The UK government regards the Oxford vaccine as the one that would transform the fight against COVID, as it can be stored in a fridge and costs $A3.50 a shot.The Pfizer vaccine, of which Australia has ordered 10 million doses, has to be kept at temperatures of -70C and costs $A26 a dose.
LIFE STILL A BEACH IN THE COVID AGE
Lifeguards have been rushed back on to the sand along Sydney’s northern beaches after it emerged that last week’s closures were unnecessary. The red and yellow flags were taken down, volunteer patrols suspended and 21 beaches from North Palm Beach through to Manly closed last weekend amid COVID public health orders. But shortly after 12pm on Sunday, NSW Health declared in a statement that councils — including those in Greater Sydney and the northern beaches — “should be aware that there are no health orders stopping beaches being open for swimming, exercise or recreation”.“Surf lifesaving availability is for councils to determine, but it’s considered usual arrangements should apply,” the statement said.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said they had been providing surveillance patrols since restrictions were enforced.Following the statement, 21 patrolled beaches along the northern beaches were reopened at 1pm. Public outdoor playground equipment and natural swimming pools will also now be accessible for northern beaches residents, after NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard signed an exemption to the Public Health Order.
DECISION ON NYE FIREWORKS EXPECTED SOON
New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney are hanging in the balance amid a renewed plea for more testing as the northern suburbs cluster continues to grow.NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she hopes to be able to reveal what the city’s New Year’s Eve plans look like on Monday as coronavirus threatens to derail the iconic fireworks event, which is broadcast worldwide. Ms Berejiklian announced seven new locally acquired COVID-19 cases on Sunday morning, with six linked to the northern beaches cluster.The total number of cases associated with the outbreak now stands at 122.“The more testing we have overnight, the more we can make those decisions,” the Premier said.“If you have the mildest symptoms please get tested. Those tests will give us confidence to make decisions about New Year’s Eve, especially to the southern parts of northern beaches.”Ms Berejiklian said she wanted to “give positive news” to Sydneysiders but couldn’t do so unless the high rates of testing continued.
“I appreciate frustration levels are increasing as we get closer to New Year’s Eve and days we stay at home increase,” she said.“We hope to have some clear information for everybody (on Monday) or the latest the day after on New Year’s Eve and what the next weeks will look like.“Everyday that goes past gives us more information and more confidence to make decisions which we think will ease the pressure on communities.”
Ms Berejiklian said singing, dancing and speaking loudly were all “accelerants” for transmitting the virus and unfortunately they would not be allowed.“We ask everybody to please respect that. For greater Sydney, our message remains the same – please try and reduce your mobility and your activity,” the Premier said.Earlier, on Christmas Eve, Ms Berejiklian revealed the New Year’s fireworks display in the Sydney CBD at midnight would “definitely” be going ahead.“It will be happening no matter what,” Ms Berejiklian said on Thursday.“I’ll certainly be watching it at home. We encourage everybody else to do that as well.“We have at this stage provided some access for frontline workers and others, but again, everything is reassessed based on the most recent cluster of cases.”
GREG NORMAN IN ISOLATION
Australian golfing legend Greg Norman has left hospital and returned home to isolation as he awaits news on whether he has COVID-19.Norman admitted himself to hospital in Florida on Christmas Day with coronavirus symptoms. The 65-year-old took to Instagram to provide an update on his condition, revealing he had developed symptoms he believed could be COVID-related.He said he was self-quarantining after returning home from a golf tournament in Orlando, when he began experiencing headache, joint and muscle pain and fever. He revealed he had tested negative to the virus while in the PGA Tour bubble for the tournament.
However he was concerned when the symptoms appeared, saying they were “very suspicious to what I have read about relating to COVID.”“These are what made me admit myself on Christmas Day as I wanted to know my status to COVID for the health and safety for all around me,” Norman said in his Instagram post.“I had a chest x-ray and blood test where two markers showed up leading the doc to say, assume you are positive with these symptoms and markers. “They released me to continue quarantining at home on medication in our guesthouse away from the main house. “I do not have my PCR COVID test results as yet. Hopefully in the next 24 hrs. Until I get 2 consecutive negative tests I will continue to isolate with my dog Apollo keeping me company.”Norman offered his thanks for the messages of concern, love and support and urged people to “stay healthy and be smart.”“And let’s put this 2020 in our rearview mirrors and look to 2021 and beyond where we can get back to life in whatever the new normal will be,” he wrote in his post.
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