Authorities are set to approve Australia’s third Covid-19 vaccine within the next few weeks, significantly boosting efforts to protect the country from infection, serious illness and death.
The vaccination rollout has been plagued by delays due to supply issues and hesitancy, but the arrival of millions of Moderna jabs will help alleviate some of the pressure.
Health Minister Greg Hunt has said the first doses will roll out from mid-September, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration expected to green light the vaccine’s use imminently.
Moderna’s vaccine is pretty similar to the Pfizer jab, in that it’s developed using mRNA technology and requires two doses to be administered.
It has received approval in a number of countries, from the United Kingdom and European Union to the United States and Singapore and is in wide use there.
Vaccinating against Covid-19 is the only way for Australians to get their normal lives back, but as a nation we’re struggling.
News.com.au’s Our Best Shot campaign answers your questions about the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.
It’s fair to say the vaccine rollout has confused Australians. We’ll cut through the spin and give you clear information so you can make an informed decision.
Australia’s deal is for 10 million doses of the existing formula this year, followed by 15 million additional doses of an updated variant-targeting shot to come in 2022.
“The agreement not only ensures current supply, but it is also forward-looking by providing vaccines for the variants that are now appearing, for which existing vaccines don’t work as well,” Professor Bruce Thompson, dean of the School of Health Sciences at Swinburne University, said.
Here’s the lowdown on the jab, from its efficacy to potential side effects.
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How effective is it?
Official data shows the Moderna vaccine has an overall efficacy against symptomatic Covid-19 of 94.1 per cent. It’s been shown to be 100 per cent effective against severe illness.
On top of that, a study by Boston Healthcare System also indicated the first Moderna dose can begin reducing general covid infection rates after just eight days.
Researchers made the finding while monitoring the rollout of the jab in frontline healthcare workers, which kicked off just as a winter surge of new cases was ravaging the city.
In addition, they found two doses of the vaccine are 95 per cent effective at preventing illness after two weeks.
The second jab should be administered three weeks after the first.
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Are there side effects?
Authorities have noted a few side effects of the Moderna vaccine, including one that’s been colloquially dubbed ‘Covid arm’.
Some recipients experienced a small reaction on their arm where the jab is given, presented as itchy, swollen or sore skin.
It can appear a few days afterwards and last for two to three weeks in some people.
Researchers from Yale University examined people who experienced ‘Covid arm’ and found it isn’t serious and shouldn’t be a reason to avoid receiving the Moderna jab.
“Skin biopsies found these reactions are not serious like immediate reactions experienced by those with severe allergic reactions and should not be a reason to avoid a second dose of Moderna,” they concluded.
Like the Pfizer vaccine, some recipients also reported feeling a little under the weather temporarily, with symptoms like a brief fever or tiredness.
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Will it require booster shots?
Observation and research surrounding the rollout of covid vaccines globally continues, but early consensus seems to be that booster shots will be required.
Similar to the flu shot, people might be encouraged to get a jab each year to protect themselves – including from new mutations of the virus.
For example, Moderna has developed a booster that has shown to be effective in protecting against the Delta strain, which is currently tearing across the world.
Studies indicate the trial booster, which contained a lower dose of the primary jab, has similar efficacy in preventing serious illness.
Is it better than Pfizer and AstraZeneca?
Answering that question is difficult and problematic, according to Wen Shi Lee and Hyon Xhi Tan, two researchers from the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity.
“Does that mean the vaccine better at protecting you from serious disease?” they wrote in an article for The Conversation.
“The one that protects you from whichever variant is circulating near you? The one that needs fewer booster shots? The one for your age group? Or is it another measure entirely?”
Any covid vaccine that’s available to you has been carefully developed, undergone rigorous safety testing and trial use, proven itself to be effective and safe, and has received regulatory approval.
In short, you should get whatever jab is available to you.
“That’s based on available clinical data and health authorities’ recommendations, or by what your doctor advises if you have an underlying medical condition,” they wrote.
It’s pretty understandable that people want what’s ‘best’ for them, but a covid vaccine will offer an extremely high protection from catching the virus, dramatically reduce its transmission and almost entirely prevent serious illness, hospitalisation and death.
Waiting could end up costing you, your family and the broader community.
“The global pandemic is a highly dynamic situation, with emerging viral variants of concern, uncertain global vaccine supply, patchy governmental action and potential for explosive outbreaks in many regions,” Wen and Hyon wrote.
“So, waiting for the perfect vaccine is an unattainable ambition. Every vaccine delivered is a small but significant step towards global normality.”
Who can get it?
Technically, the rollout of vaccines is still set to the Morrison Government’s priority groups, meaning healthy and young Australians are being told to wait.
But states are increasingly doing their own thing, with New South Wales urging anyone to get jabbed with whatever is available if they have given informed consent.
That means, the extremely rare risk of an adverse reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine is far outweighed by the benefits of protection from the virus.
In Victoria, the government is throwing open the doors of several mass vaccination hubs to anyone aged 18 and over to get the AstraZeneca variety.
There’s been no indication of any formal eligibility guidance surrounding the Moderna jab. It’s likely to join the mix of supply and be on offer for those who want it.
And given there have been no identified rare blood clotting risks, recommendations based on age aren’t expected.
When can you get the Moderna jab?
Authorities in Australia are expected to grant approval for the use of Moderna’s vaccine in the next week or two.
From there, the government expects supply to begin flowing from mid-September and Mr Hunt has previously indicated that pharmacies will be a key part of the rollout.
At present, almost 500 community pharmacies across the country are delivering vaccines, but thousands more will join the program.
“This includes 1262 suitable community pharmacies from regional, rural and remote areas and 2668 suitable community pharmacies that have also been identified in metropolitan areas,” Mr Hunt said.
Interest in receiving a covid jab is high, especially among younger Australians who haven’t previously been part of eligible priority groups.
“The intention to vaccinate has gone from 67 per cent about three months ago to 70 per cent a month ago, to 77 per cent now,” Mr Hunt said.
Another 13 per cent of people are considering a jab while 10 per cent aren’t intending to get one.
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