The medicines regulator in Australia has paved the way for home-testing COVID-19 kits to be made available from November 1st. Currently, the most common way people are tested for COVID is via a PCR test, which requires at least a day's wait, a lab and fancy equipment. But soon, people will be able to do a rapid antigen test at home and get a result in 15 minutes. So on today's Coronacast, what is a rapid antigen test? And why might it be more useful as we start to reopen? Also on today's show: *...
Sep 28, 2021•10 min
The medicines regulator in Australia has paved the way for home-testing COVID-19 kits to be made available from November 1st. Currently, the most common way people are tested for COVID is via a PCR test, which requires at least a day's wait, a lab and fancy equipment. But soon, people will be able to do a rapid antigen test at home and get a result in 15 minutes. So on today's Coronacast, what is a rapid antigen test? And why might it be more useful as we start to reopen? Also on today's show: *...
Sep 28, 2021•10 min
With nearly 52 per cent of Australians over 16 years now fully vaccinated, there is more and more talk about opening up once it's safe. But there are other parts of the world that are a bit ahead of us, opening up and removing all restrictions. The UK removed restrictions in July, Denmark ended COVID restrictions two weeks ago, and Norway removed restrictions over the weekend. So on today's Coronacast, what can we learn from those countries on our own path to eventually reopening? Also on today'...
Sep 27, 2021•10 min
With nearly 52 per cent of Australians over 16 years now fully vaccinated, there is more and more talk about opening up once it's safe. But there are other parts of the world that are a bit ahead of us, opening up and removing all restrictions. The UK removed restrictions in July, Denmark ended COVID restrictions two weeks ago, and Norway removed restrictions over the weekend. So on today's Coronacast, what can we learn from those countries on our own path to eventually reopening? Also on today'...
Sep 27, 2021•10 min
Australia's vaccination rate increasing over the weeks has been a thing of beauty to watch, and hopefully soon will help pay out dividends. But along with helping prevent the hospital system from collapsing, vaccines might be better than we thought at helping you avoid catching COVID-19 at all. A pre-print study out of the UK has recently reported back in a massive study and has been able to slice and dice all sorts of variables when it comes to avoiding COVID. But there are some interesting dif...
Sep 26, 2021•10 min
Australia's vaccination rate increasing over the weeks has been a thing of beauty to watch, and hopefully soon will help pay out dividends. But along with helping prevent the hospital system from collapsing, vaccines might be better than we thought at helping you avoid catching COVID-19 at all. A pre-print study out of the UK has recently reported back in a massive study and has been able to slice and dice all sorts of variables when it comes to avoiding COVID. But there are some interesting dif...
Sep 26, 2021•10 min
*** AFTER THIS EPISODE, WE'RE TAKING A WEEK OFF! WE'LL BACK ON THE 27TH SEPTEMBER! *** Victorians have hit their first big vaccine milestone of 70 percent first dose coverage, and have been given a slight reprieve in lockdown restrictions. Small outdoor gatherings, increased distances of travel for shopping or exercise and reopening of outdoor exercise equipment are some of the changes. But as Melbourne - and Sydney - take small steps to eventual reopening, what are the chances that they - or ot...
Sep 16, 2021•11 min
NSW yesterday hit a new milestone for vaccination in Australia. More than 80 per cent of the state has now had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and it's still rocketing along. While it's still several more weeks before the 70 per cent double vaccination targets are met, for everyone under lockdown it's a wonderful thing to see. Add to that the hope that the state could be starting to see that the curve in new cases is levelling off. Also on today's show: * Lockdowns see life get worse for...
Sep 15, 2021•10 min
NSW yesterday hit a new milestone for vaccination in Australia. More than 80 per cent of the state has now had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and it's still rocketing along. While it's still several more weeks before the 70 per cent double vaccination targets are met, for everyone under lockdown it's a wonderful thing to see. Add to that the hope that the state could be starting to see that the curve in new cases is levelling off. Also on today's show: * Lockdowns see life get worse for...
Sep 15, 2021•10 min
Fully vaccinated people in NSW are counting down the days until they can get some additional freedoms when the state reaches the 70 per cent vaccination rate. But some experts are warning that releasing the brake too quickly might see case numbers and then hospitalisations shoot up again So why could cases once again rise when 70 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated? That's on today's Coronacast. Also on today's show: * Dr Swan said he would not go back to the gym at 70 per ce...
Sep 14, 2021•12 min
Fully vaccinated people in NSW are counting down the days until they can get some additional freedoms when the state reaches the 70 per cent vaccination rate. But some experts are warning that releasing the brake too quickly might see case numbers and then hospitalisations shoot up again So why could cases once again rise when 70 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated? That's on today's Coronacast. Also on today's show: * Dr Swan said he would not go back to the gym at 70 per ce...
Sep 14, 2021•12 min
We keep hearing that vaccination might not be enough to get us out of the grip of COVID - so what will be enough? Well, a new group of Australian experts has taken a stab at the types of interventions that may be required alongside vaccination if we are to successfully live with COVID-19. While high vaccination rates are part of it, it also includes measures like proper ventilation in buildings, vaccinating children when possible, masks and extra vaccine doses. So on today's Coronacast, how migh...
Sep 13, 2021•10 min
A new vaccine will be arriving next week in Australia, to help bolster vaccine rates and protect Australians from COVID-19. The Moderna vaccine, known by its brand name Spikevax or by its scientific name mRNA-1273, is the country's third vaccine to be administered to the public. The Federal Government yesterday announced additional supplies of Moderna, in addition to the ten million doses already coming later this year. So on today's Coronacast, who is Moderna? And what can we expect from this v...
Sep 12, 2021•10 min
A new vaccine will be arriving next week in Australia, to help bolster vaccine rates and protect Australians from COVID-19. The Moderna vaccine, known by its brand name Spikevax or by its scientific name mRNA-1273, is the country's third vaccine to be administered to the public. The Federal Government yesterday announced additional supplies of Moderna, in addition to the ten million doses already coming later this year. So on today's Coronacast, who is Moderna? And what can we expect from this v...
Sep 12, 2021•10 min
The NSW Government has released its plan on what will happen once the state passes the 70 per cent double-vaccination target. Changes for fully vaccinated people include abilities to visit more hospitality and retail venues, visit each other at home and head back into stadiums. But the 70 per cent double-vaccination target is only of eligible people, so works out to be roughly 56 per cent of the whole population. So on today's Coronacast, how risky is the plan? Also on today's show: * Vaccine pa...
Sep 09, 2021•11 min
The NSW Government has released its plan on what will happen once the state passes the 70 per cent double-vaccination target. Changes for fully vaccinated people include abilities to visit more hospitality and retail venues, visit each other at home and head back into stadiums. But the 70 per cent double-vaccination target is only of eligible people, so works out to be roughly 56 per cent of the whole population. So on today's Coronacast, how risky is the plan? Also on today's show: * Vaccine pa...
Sep 09, 2021•11 min
After a massive few months of outbreaks and lockdowns popping up across the country, things seem to have stabilised a bit lately. While health authorities remain on alert around the nation, serious outbreaks are being managed in three jurisdictions: NSW, Victoria and ACT. Everyone is racing towards high levels of vaccination to either control the outbreak or to avoid the worst of it if another one pops up. So on today's Coronacast, how is everything going and the race to 80 per cent plus. Also o...
Sep 08, 2021•10 min
After a massive few months of outbreaks and lockdowns popping up across the country, things seem to have stabilised a bit lately. While health authorities remain on alert around the nation, serious outbreaks are being managed in three jurisdictions: NSW, Victoria and ACT. Everyone is racing towards high levels of vaccination to either control the outbreak or to avoid the worst of it if another one pops up. So on today's Coronacast, how is everything going and the race to 80 per cent plus. Also o...
Sep 08, 2021•10 min
We keep hearing that the coronavirus vaccine isn't 100 per cent effective in stopping transmission of the virus from one person to another. And so you could be forgiven for thinking, well what's the point of getting vaccinated if it only protects you from severe disease and doesn't help protect others around you. Well, the good news is that it does help protect others because it does lower the risk of transmitting the virus, and we have the evidence to prove it. That's on today's Coronacast. Als...
Sep 07, 2021•11 min
We keep hearing that the coronavirus vaccine isn't 100 per cent effective in stopping transmission of the virus from one person to another. And so you could be forgiven for thinking, well what's the point of getting vaccinated if it only protects you from severe disease and doesn't help protect others around you. Well, the good news is that it does help protect others because it does lower the risk of transmitting the virus, and we have the evidence to prove it. That's on today's Coronacast. Als...
Sep 07, 2021•11 min
As we race towards our national COVID-19 vaccination targets, it's sometimes easy to forget that broad averages like 70 and 80 per cent don't always tell the full story. One area in particular to keep an eye on is the vaccination rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Indigenous Australians are well behind non-Indigenous Australians in the vaccination rollout across large parts of the country. So on today's Coronacast, what are the barriers to First Nations' people being vaccina...
Sep 06, 2021•11 min
As we race towards our national COVID-19 vaccination targets, it's sometimes easy to forget that broad averages like 70 and 80 per cent don't always tell the full story. One area in particular to keep an eye on is the vaccination rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Indigenous Australians are well behind non-Indigenous Australians in the vaccination rollout across large parts of the country. So on today's Coronacast, what are the barriers to First Nations' people being vaccina...
Sep 06, 2021•11 min
As Australia's vaccine rollout continues to grow, and more people get the opportunity to be vaccinated, attention is turning to those who can't. From the 13th September, kids aged 12-15 can get their jab. But many are wondering when - or if - children younger than that may get their chance. And in Queensland, Premier Anna Palaszczuk has suggested delaying opening up until kids under 12 can get a shot - but there are still no vaccines approved anywhere in the world for that age group. So on today...
Sep 05, 2021•11 min
It's well known by now that you need to have both doses of whatever vaccine you have for the best possible protection against coronavirus. But what if it actually takes three shots to get there? We are learning more and more about immunity against COVID-19 from overseas experiences, including a successful booster program in Israel. So might the ol' two dose vaccine regime actually take three? That's on today's Coronacast.
Sep 02, 2021•11 min
It's well known by now that you need to have both doses of whatever vaccine you have for the best possible protection against coronavirus. But what if it actually takes three shots to get there? We are learning more and more about immunity against COVID-19 from overseas experiences, including a successful booster program in Israel. So might the ol' two dose vaccine regime actually take three? That's on today's Coronacast.
Sep 02, 2021•11 min
There are to be no large changes to Victoria's lockdown restrictions, after a large jump in cases overnight and Government acceptance that the Delta outbreak can't be brought back to zero. Apart from some small changes, such as reopening playgrounds, people in Melbourne will remain in lockdown until vaccine levels get high enough. But that's not to say the lockdown in both Victoria and NSW has been without success. Modelling has shown many tens of thousands of cases have been prevented with the ...
Sep 01, 2021•10 min
There are to be no large changes to Victoria's lockdown restrictions, after a large jump in cases overnight and Government acceptance that the Delta outbreak can't be brought back to zero. Apart from some small changes, such as reopening playgrounds, people in Melbourne will remain in lockdown until vaccine levels get high enough. But that's not to say the lockdown in both Victoria and NSW has been without success. Modelling has shown many tens of thousands of cases have been prevented with the ...
Sep 01, 2021•10 min
The Victorian Government will today announce details around how it plans to manage COVID-19 cases as it rushes to vaccinate as many people as possible. Yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews said he'd be meeting with health officials to develop thresholds for the easing of the lockdown, where possible. It's a move away from the COVID-zero goal of the past, as it appears unlikely that the state will manage to eliminate the spread of the Delta variant. So on today's Coronacast, is this a new medium ter...
Aug 31, 2021•10 min
The Victorian Government will today announce details around how it plans to manage COVID-19 cases as it rushes to vaccinate as many people as possible. Yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews said he'd be meeting with health officials to develop thresholds for the easing of the lockdown, where possible. It's a move away from the COVID-zero goal of the past, as it appears unlikely that the state will manage to eliminate the spread of the Delta variant. So on today's Coronacast, is this a new medium ter...
Aug 31, 2021•10 min
It was another record day yesterday for NSW in COVID-19 cases, and the wave is showing no signs of slowing down. And yesterday in even more grim news, the Premier Gladys Berejiklian flagged that October would be the worst month for hospitals and ICU units. That's despite the vaccination rate in NSW charging ahead thanks to a population rushing forward to be vaccinated and additional supply helping things out. So on today's Coronacast, why is October being tipped to be bad when the vaccine rate i...
Aug 30, 2021•10 min
