By June, Israel had vaccinated almost 80% of people 12 and over. They lifted nearly all COVID-19 restrictions with cases close to 0. However, daily cases have been climbing since late June, reaching a record high earlier this month at 16,011, with more people being hospitalised. Why has this happened, and what can Australia learn?
Around the world, we are hearing more reports of fully vaccination people getting COVID-19 – ‘breakthrough’ infections. Although it may seem like vaccines are failing, here’s why you shouldn’t worry too much.
To the community of patients, providers and practitioners,
As part of our commitment for ongoing communication regarding the recent Urgent Product Defect Correction (Australia) and Recall for Product Correction (New Zealand) of certain
Australia’s vaccine rollout has been gaining pace, particularly in states with significant outbreaks. However, as soon as we finish the initial vaccine rollout, we may need to start a booster rollout.
A new study out of King’s College London has found that the risk of long COVID is reduced by almost half for double vaccinated persons. Published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, the study found that in the unlikely event that someone caught COVID after being fully vaccinated, their risk of long COVID was reduced by 49%, hospitalisation was 73% less likely, and even their risk of acute symptoms went down by 31%.
Whilst Australia Post is temporarily pausing all Parcel Post collections from eCommerce retailers in NSW, ACT and VIC today, as an essential service Sove CPAP Clinic will have undisrupted post services. We will continue to be shipping out your essential medical items as quickly as possible.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said that NSW will never need to have a state-wide lockdown once 80% are fully vaccinated. She is confident NSW would hit 70% and then 80% fully vaccinated by mid-October. Over 40% of NSW eligible population are fully vaccinated, with 73.5% having received at least 1 dose.
It is well known that carrying extra weight is a risk factor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – a common sleep disorder that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. Exercise is a great way to prevent many health problems, and is now shown to cut the risk of OSA by up to 31%.
Whilst many Australians are still waiting to get their first COVID-19 vaccine, others may be needing a booster shot very soon. Preliminary evidence from Israel, the US and the UK (1-3) suggests that Pfizer’s effectiveness against infection declines significantly over the first six months, although still remaining effective against hospitalisation and death. For health care workers vaccinated at the beginning of the rollout in February and March, their protection has declined significantly, and will likely need booster shots soon.
