Some medical experts are requesting a review of the recommending age group for the AstraZeneca vaccine following the death of a 52-year-old woman last week from a brain clot. Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) is the condition behind these terrible incidents, and occurs at an extremely low rate of 1.8 cases per 100,000 (first) doses for over 50s getting the AstraZeneca vaccine. Amongst those aged 50-59, the rate is 1.9.
Throughout the pandemic, neurologists have observed an increase in sleep disturbances, including night terrors and night-time panic attacks. If you’ve ever seen someone suddenly wake up screaming, pale, looking like they’ve seen a ghost, you may have just seen them experience a night terror.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry has found that going to sleep an hour earlier could lower your risk for major depression by 23%. The study included 840,000 people, including their genetic data, prescription records and medical history. They found that provided the amount of sleep stays the same, sleeping an hour earlier lowered your risk of depression by 23%, and sleeping two hours earlier lower your risk by around 40%.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has confirmed AstraZeneca as the COVID-19 vaccine of choice for over-50s after a second fatal clotting syndrome occurred. A NSW woman in her 50s developed a severe clotting syndrome, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia, after receiving her first AstraZeneca dose. Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly explained, “Our expert group on immunisation has re-looked at that extra information, made that risk-benefit analysis as they did some weeks ago now in relation to AstraZeneca [and] have confirmed that for people over 50 that should be the vaccine of choice.”
Starting this week, Australians who have received 2 vaccine doses will be able to access a COVID vaccination certificate. The Australian Immunisation Register will be updated as a part of every Australian’s myGov account and linked with Medicare, allowing people to access a digital certificate. Having evidence of vaccination will be key to relaxing restrictions long term, including border restrictions.
As of today, all Australians aged 40-49 are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The preferred vaccine for this age group is the Pfizer vaccine – so what are the side effects of this vaccine?
Victoria’s outbreak was rocked by a new discovery last week – that the new ‘Delta’ variant, seen most prominently in India, has emerged in Victoria. It’s unclear how the family diagnosed with this variant contracted it. The Delta variant is of concern because it is significantly more infectious.
Australia’s vaccine rollout has hit a new milestone: 5 million jabs! A record breaking 88,000 Australians were vaccinated on Saturday, with 772,750 vaccinated in the last 6 days. A big thanks to all Australians who are rolling up their sleeves and coming forward to be vaccinated.
Health Minister, Greg Hunt, has announced that a pilot program relaxing travel restrictions for vaccinated Australians could be launched in 6-8 weeks. The trial would allow vaccinated Australians to travel overseas and return with relaxed quarantine requirements. For instance, travellers returning from lower risk countries could take a rapid antigen test, a full COVID test, and leave quarantine once receiving negative results. Hopefully, this incentive will encourage more Australians to get vaccinated.
