Why vaccinated Australians shouldn’t freak out if they catch Covid – and how it may be GOOD for them

Leading epidemiologists are encouraging Australians not to ‘freak out’ if they get coronavirus after lockdowns lift – saying some people should ‘want’ to get it if they’re fully-vaccinated.

New South Wales is set to end its fouth-month lockdown on Monday with the state nearly at the 74 per cent fully-vaccinated rates, despite cases remaining above 400 daily.

There are lingering fears that case numbers will skyrocket once bars, restaurants and retail re-opens, but Australian National University’s infectious disease expert says vaccinated and healthy people should want to get the virus to better build up immunity.

‘You might want to get it, you definitely want to get it,’ Professor Peter Collignon told the Courier Mail.

‘You definitely want to be vaccinated before you get it, because if you’re vaccinated your risk of death goes down.’

There are lingering fears that case numbers will skyrocket once bars, restaurants and retail re-opens, but experts say Aussies should want to get the virus to better build up immunity (pictured, friends eating in Sydney’s Newtown)

‘You might want to get it, you definitely want to get it,’ Professor Peter Collignon (pictured) said of Aussies getting the virus post lockdown

Greater Sydney has been in lockdown since June 25, with relief now within hours for residents of the Harbour City and the rest of the state.

Melbourne, the world’s most locked down city, has been in lockdown since August 5 and is still a few weeks off reaching the 70 per cent vaccination number needed to lift restrictions.

Victorian cases are nearing 2,000, while NSW’s remain north of 400, but experts say vaccinated Australians should not be worried about contracting the virus.

‘It’s immunity you want supported by the vaccine but then sort of topped up, by circulation and that’s really is what’s going to ultimately lead to make this turn this virus into basically an endemic, common cold causing virus, and that’s what you want it to be,’ University of Newcastle Professor Nathan Bartlett said.

Experts are saying that everyone will likely be infected with Covid at some stage, and recent studies show a combination of the vaccine and infection could lead to the best protection.

The latest vaccines are less effective about preventing infection from the Delta strain, but are between 80 and 90 per cent effective at preventing hospitalisation and nearly 100 per cent effective against death. 

Greater Sydney has been in lockdown since June 25, with relief now within hours for residents of the Harbour City and the rest of the state (pictured, beachgoers on Bondi Beach in lockdown)

Hotel Manager Alex Marton prepares a bar area ahead of receiving patrons at the Kings Cross Hotel from Monday when lockdown restrictions ease

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say vaccinated people who had also recovered from the virus had half the risk of reinfection compared to unvaccinated people who recovered.

Studies show natural infection and vaccination because the body is exposed to viral proteins and also have produced spike proteins to fight the virus.

The Pfizer vaccine was found in a study published in The Lancet earlier this week to see its protection rates against Delta drop from 93 per cent to 53 per cent after four months.

Pfizer also sees protection rates against non-Delta strains plummet from 97 per cent to 57 per cent after four months, with conversations over booster shots taking place among scientists. 

But with millions thrilled to finally be leaving lockdown, many have already made plans to make the most of eased restrictions at the stroke of midnight. 

In Sydney, drinkers who refuse to wait a minute longer than necessary for their first post-lockdown beer can get an early start if they know where to go.

Only a select few venues will get the lion’s share of patronage when the doors fly open at 12.01am across NSW due to licensing laws that prevent pubs from operating after midnight.

The 24-hour Cheers Bar on George Street in Sydney’s CBD will open the moment the government allows it, but only for vaccinated patrons.

Ten minutes down the road, the City Tattersalls Club will also throw open its doors and from 12.01am. 

Easts in Bondi Junction were one of the first venues to declare they’d be open from midnight. ‘Be the first to see your mates and have a cold beer! We can’t wait to see you again,’ a spokesman wrote in a social media post

Scruffy Murphy’s in Goulburn Street also announced its intention to open at 12.01am, adding staff will be checking vaccination status upon entry.

North of the Spit Bridge, staff at Dee Why RSL are counting down until the clock strikes midnight.

The main bar will stay open for as long as patrons are still buying on Sunday night, with security and a manager manning the door checking vaccines.

‘We’ve got a fair bit of interest,’ the on-duty manager told Daily Mail Australia. ‘We’re hoping we’ll get some customers.’

Easts in Bondi Junction was one of the first venues to declare it would be open from midnight.

‘Be the first to see your mates and have a cold beer! We can’t wait to see you again,’ it wrote in a social media post.