The Australian Science Media Centre works to enhance the media’s coverage of science, for the benefit of the public. We provide the evidence and experts when science hits the headlines.
À medida que a variante Delta se torna dominante em todo o mundo, há relatos internacionais e australianos de pessoas totalmente vacinadas que ainda estão se infectando com COVID-19. Estas chamadas "infecções revolucionárias" levantaram questionamentos sobre a eficácia das vacinas. Os dados de alguns países com altas taxas de vacinação agora estão também mostrando mais casos semanais de COVID-19 em pessoas vacinadas do que em não vacinadas - isso significa que as vacinas não estão funcionando? Abaixo os especialistas australianos respondem.
Scientists from South Africa have reported a new potential COVID-19 variant of interest (VOI) called C.1.2. This variant has been detected in South Africa from May 2021 onwards and has been detected in seven other countries including New Zealand. The paper, which is a preprint and is yet to be peer reviewed, suggests C.1.2 has accumulated a high number of mutations, compared to the original Wuhan virus. Many of these mutations have been identified in all four variants of concern (Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma) but there are also additional mutations. The authors say these mutations provide sufficient cause for concern of continued transmission of this variant.
As the Delta variant becomes dominant around the world, fully vaccinated people are becoming infected with COVID-19. These so-called 'breakthrough infections" have raised questions about the effectiveness of the vaccines. Data from some countries with high vaccination rates are also now showing more weekly cases of COVID-19 in vaccinated people than in the unvaccinated - does this mean the vaccines aren't working? Join some of the world's leading vaccine experts at this briefing from the global Science Media Centres and our partners in the COVID-19 Vaccine Media Hub. The briefing will discuss the following issues: How can we make sense of the vaccine efficacy data? Just how effective are the vaccines against the Delta variant? Do the vaccines prevent transmission? Can any countries actually reach herd immunity? Will we need booster shots in the coming months?
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have now recommended the use of the Pfizer vaccine for kids aged 12 years and up. Below, Aussie experts chime in on the announcement. ATAGI are recommending vaccination against COVID-19 for all individuals from 12 years of age, extending the current recommendation for those aged 16 years and older. A two-dose schedule using Comirnaty (Pfizer) is recommended. This vaccine is the only vaccine currently registered for use in Australia in this age group. Recommendations on the use of Spikevax (Moderna) for adolescents will be finalised following the decision on provisional registration of Spikevax (Moderna) in this age group.
Comparing reactions to COVID-19 vaccines in 7,809 pregnant women, 6,815 lactating women, and 2,901 women who were neither pregnant nor lactating but were planning pregnancy, US scientists say reactions one day after the jabs were similar across the groups, and all the groups reported increased reactions following dose two of the mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer). Although the study was limited by covering only the first wave of vaccination, and relied on self-reporting of reactions, which can be unreliable, the results are comparable with previously reported findings among pregnant women, the researchers say.
A shortage of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin in some areas has meant that some people have been unable to have their second dose within the recommended time frame.
The road toward a life without major lockdowns in Australia looks a little clearer, with the federal government announcing COVID-19 vaccination targets of 70 per cent and 80 per cent amongst the eligible population as triggers for reduced restrictions.
As the Delta variant becomes dominant around the world there are both international and Australian reports of fully vaccinated people still becoming infected with COVID-19. These so-called 'breakthrough infections" have raised questions about the effectiveness of the vaccines. Data from some countries with high vaccination rates are also now showing more weekly cases of COVID-19 in vaccinated people than in the unvaccinated - does this mean the vaccines aren't working? Below Australian experts respond.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has been notified of two more fatal cases of the rare blood clotting disorder related to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 jab. The 44-year-old man from Tasmania and 48-year-old woman from Victoria were reported as probable thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) cases last week. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday that he has been making a “constant appeal” to vaccine advisory group ATAGI to change its advice to recommend the AstraZeneca jab to younger Australians. ATAGI's co-chair Christopher Blyth has previously said under 40s should only be considering getting AstraZeneca in "pressing circumstances".
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia's medical regulator, has provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between 12 and 15. Previously, only people aged 16 and over were approved for both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines.
AstraZeneca can now be requested by anyone under age 40 in a major change to the vaccine program announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday. The decision has not been backed by the Australian Medical Association, and in addition, the advice from the independent Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation – that Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for under-60s due to an increased risk of rare clotting events linked to the AstraZeneca jab – is unchanged. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and WA Premier Mark McGowan have both spoken out against advice issued by the PM, saying they do not believe the under-40s should be given the AstraZeneca vaccine. Further, Health Minister Greg Hunt reiterated in a press conference today that the medical advice surrounding vaccines has not changed, but the AstraZeneca vaccine can be used in adults under 60 for whom Pfizer is not available. Below, Australian experts weigh in on the confusion.
Two studies have found cases of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, developing within days of people having both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. One study documents four cases that developed one to five days after receiving the second dose of an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, while the second study from the US military describes 23 cases that occurred four days after vaccination, 20 of these cases occurred after the second dose. The studies do not show the vaccines caused the condition, just that the conditions occurred soon after vaccination and could therefore possibly be linked.
A preprint study, which is not yet peer-reviewed, suggests that people whose second shot is the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine after a first shot of the AstraZeneca jab may develop better immune protection than those who receive two AstraZeneca doses. Overnight, Canada has also changed its recommendations on mixing vaccines, and is now recommending that people who got the AstraZeneca vaccine as their first dose should get Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna for their second shot.
Posts on social media have claimed that the mRNA COVID vaccines such as the Pfizer vaccine and Moderna vaccine could alter a persons DNA. Below Australian experts address this concern
Research from Japan has found that infection with SARS-CoV-2 can generate both neutralizing antibodies that protect against infection and infection-enhancing antibodies. The research analysed antibodies derived from COVID-19 patients.
The mainstream media is the most important source of information on science and technology for the Australian public, and yet the relationship between scientists and the media is often fraught and difficult. The AusSMC exists to support both scientists and journalists to ensure that the public has access to the best scientific evidence and expertise.
The idea to set up an Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) came from the Adelaide Thinkers in Residence program. The AusSMC is based on the successful UK Science Media Centre that was established in London in 2002.
The AusSMC was established as an independent, not-for-profit organisation in late 2005. The Centre is housed in the old Adelaide Stock Exchange building, refurbished and renamed the Science Exchange. The AusSMC is now one of six international SMCs (UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, Germany and the US).
In response to a demand from journalists, the AusSMC launched a breaking science news portal, Scimex (Science Media Exchange) in 2015 to provide the media with access to scientific expertise, independent expert reaction, multimedia and research stories from Australia and NZ. Scimex is now used by 1,600 journalists and distributes more than 3,000 stories each year.
Journalists anywhere in the world wishing to sign up to receive our briefing alerts, Expert Reactions and twice-weekly "SMC Picks" alert on upcoming research (including embargoed papers) can sign up here.
The mainstream media is the most important source of information on science and technology for the Australian public, and yet the relationship between scientists and the media is often fraught and difficult. The AusSMC exists to support both scientists and journalists to ensure that the public has access to the best scientific evidence and expertise.
The idea to set up an Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) came from the Adelaide Thinkers in Residence program. The AusSMC is based on the successful UK Science Media Centre that was established in London in 2002.
The AusSMC was established as an independent, not-for-profit organisation in late 2005. The Centre is housed in the old Adelaide Stock Exchange building, refurbished and renamed the Science Exchange. The AusSMC is now one of six international SMCs (UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, Germany and the US).
In response to a demand from journalists, the AusSMC launched a breaking science news portal, Scimex (Science Media Exchange) in 2015 to provide the media with access to scientific expertise, independent expert reaction, multimedia and research stories from Australia and NZ. Scimex is now used by 1,600 journalists and distributes more than 3,000 stories each year.
Journalists anywhere in the world wishing to sign up to receive our briefing alerts, Expert Reactions and twice-weekly "SMC Picks" alert on upcoming research (including embargoed papers) can sign up here.
