Thousands of Sydneysiders are flocking to vaccination centres as the city’s Covid outbreak shocks them out of complacency.
Lines stretched around the block on Thursday as NSW reported another 11 new cases and sweeping restrictions took affect to tackle the outbreak.
Residents will have to wear masks indoors and not see more than five mates at a time for the next six days – or longer if the cluster spreads and grows.
However, this temporary pain could be a net benefit to NSW and the whole country by shocking complacent Australians procrastinating their vaccinations.
Lines for Covid-19 tests (pictured) stretched around the block on Thursday as NSW reported another 11 new cases and sweeping restrictions took affect to tackle the outbreak
Thousands of Sydneysiders are flocking to vaccination centres (pictured) as the city’s Covid outbreak shocks them out of complacency
Australian National University professor Peter Collignon said the measures being taken by the NSW Government will see a spike in vaccinations.
‘If more people get vaccinated, particularly those over 70, it’s a good thing,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘If we look in Victoria with two their separate outbreaks, it did increase vaccination markedly. I think it’ll have the same effect in NSW.’
Residents will have to wear masks indoors and not see more than five mates at a time for the next six days – or longer if the cluster spreads, prompting the mass response pictured
Dr Collignon said though ‘it’s not the way’ he’d be pushing vaccines, the move could prove to be a positive thing for Australia’s battle with the virus.
‘The benefits of the vaccine so far outweigh the other side,’ he said.
‘The perception of risk is out of proportion to the benefits. There’s a one in two million chance you’ll die as a result of the [AstraZeneca] vaccine from clots.’
He said the added motivation of having rights removed can often convince people who were on the fence about getting the jab.
‘As soon as Covid spreads and it means restricting your life, that shows more people the benefits of the vaccine,’ he said.
Medical experts hope the latest outbreak could be a net benefit to NSW and the whole country by shocking complacent Australians procrastinating their vaccinations
Following Victoria’s fourth lockdown, which began on May 28, vaccine rates in that state surged, according to the University of Melbourne.
In the first week of lockdown the proportion of people vaccinated in the state jumped from 17.7 per cent to 22.3 per cent.
The rest of Australia increased from 17.1 per cent to 18.7 per cent in the same week.
This translates to Victoria’s most recent outbreak and lockdown causing people to get vaccinated twice as fast as the rest of the country.
Following Victoria’s fourth lockdown, which began on May 28, vaccine rates in that state surged, according to the University of Melbourne
The university also noted the number of adults in Victoria who claimed they wanted to wait to get vaccinated dropped from 37.4 per cent to 29.1 per cent during the lockdown.
For over 50s the effect was even more apparent with the number plunging from 39.4 per cent to 21.6 per cent.
Dr Collignon believes the restrictions put in place by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian were ‘proportionate’ and a lockdown is not yet necessary.
‘The good news is there isn’t too many cases out there in the community,’ he said.
Australian National University professor Peter Collignon said the measures being taken by the NSW Government will see a spike in vaccinations
Australians over 60 are urged to roll up their sleeves for the AstraZeneca vaccine rather than waiting for alternatives
‘There are some community transmissions, but while that’s the case we have to do what we can to stop its spread.’
Australians over 60 are urged to roll up their sleeves for the AstraZeneca vaccine rather than waiting for alternatives.
Medical experts are worried Australia’s success in controlling coronavirus could be put at risk if vaccinations are not rolled out quickly enough.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison encouraged older Australians to get a vaccine and told younger people to convince their older relatives.
Medical experts are worried Australia’s success in controlling coronavirus could be put at risk if vaccinations are not rolled out quickly enough
Earlier this week Mr Morrison said he was not focused on people who were vaccine hesitant, instead focusing his efforts on those willing to get one.
‘I encourage all those that are over 50 to go and get the jab, and particularly if you are over 70 which is our strong focus. I would very much encourage you to do it,’ he told reporters in Launceston, Tasmania, on Friday.
There are concerns some older Australians are reluctant to get the AstraZeneca jab because of its link to a tiny number of rare blood clots.
Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the Royal Exhibition Building vaccination hub in Melbourne, Friday, May 28, 2021
Health Department secretary Brendan Murphy said a ‘complete overview’ of the vaccine rollout was needed to ensure the substantial ramp-up in the second half of the year went smoothly’.
He told the committee 48 per cent of over-50s received a first jab, as had 65 per cent of over-70s.
However, Professor Murphy added: ‘Hardly anyone has had their second shot because the AstraZeneca has a 12-week schedule.
‘It only started second shots in the last two weeks.’