Medical experts have noticed a disturbing trend in Covid-19 cases and are calling for an urgent shift in the vaccine rollout to help combat it.
Medical experts have urged for a shift in the focus of the vaccine rollout after a concerning trend has emerged across Australian hospitals.
According to the SPRINT-SARI Australian medical research centre, younger people, including pregnant women, are featuring more prominently among people admitted to intensive care units with Covid-19.
“(This) signals a need to shift the focus of vaccinations to these groups,” the SPRINT-SARI researchers said.
The Delta variant of Covid-19 is known for being more transmissible and more dangerous for young people than previous variants of the coronavirus.
SPRINT-SARI manager and infectious diseases expert Allen Cheng said although the change in ICU cases was concerning, it was not unexpected.
“The shift in age of those admitted to ICUs is anticipated given older Australians were prioritised during the early phases of rollout,” Professor Cheng said.
But the new ICU figures did contain some good news for vaccinated Aussies.
Using data on the vaccination status of nearly 700 Covid-19-positive people admitted to intensive care wards in Australia, SPRINT-SARI revealed that the vaccine was extremely effective at preventing serious illness from Covid-19.
Of the 574 people with Covid-19 who were admitted to intensive care with a known vaccination status, more than 85 per cent were unvaccinated against the virus.
Meanwhile, just 12 per cent of those admitted to the ICU had received one dose of the vaccine, and only 2 per cent had received both doses.
“These figures again underscore just how much protection vaccinations offer in terms of your likelihood of getting seriously unwell with Covid-19,” Professor Cheng said.
Double-dose vaccination rates remain low among young Australians. Full vaccine coverage rates range from 21 per cent for the 25-29 years age range down to as low as 0.4 per cent for the 12 to 15 years bracket.
Health Minister Greg Hunt last Sunday announced the arrival of one million doses of the Moderna vaccine on Australian shores. He says that will help speed up the vaccine rollout for the nation’s younger population.
“These doses are adding additional capacity and will further ramp up the vaccination rate of young Australians,” Mr Hunt said.
The Health Minister said community pharmacies would begin to receive the Moderna jabs within a fortnight.
For all the latest lifestyle News Click Here
