Adam Hannah, The University of Western Australia and Katie Attwell, The University of Western Australia
There are other pathways to increasing vaccination rates, while also fostering trust in the health-care system. These have proved difficult in the US, but are available in Australia.
Before the pandemic, the public perceived science as infallible and inaccessible. But the opening up of research to the general public has changed that perception.
Governments are launching booster programmes over fears about waning immunity levels, but vaccines are still highly effective at what matters most – preventing severe disease.
The rules dividing states and territories are likely to remain in the short term. But as time goes on and vaccination rates increase, many may stop trying to reach COVID-zero too.
‘Breakthrough’ infections can happen because of waning immunity or high viral doses. But our vaccines are still excellent at preventing severe disease and death.
A medical student answers questions he gets asked at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic: Efficacy versus real-world effectiveness, immune response and how the mRNA vaccines compare to vaccines already in wide use.
Archa Fox, The University of Western Australia and Charles Bond, The University of Western Australia
mRNA vaccines are the first synthetic vaccines, meaning they’re made outside of a living cell. But so are lots of things we consume every day, such as vitamin C pills and other dietary supplements.
Some countries have started administering third doses of COVID vaccines, or booster shots. But we’re still learning about how long immunity lasts from the first two shots.
Achieving widespread immunity to COVID-19 through vaccination requires as many people as possible to get their shots, including those who object or haven’t bothered.
The U.S. FDA has approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. How is approval different from emergency use authorization, and what difference will it make to a vaccine that’s already in global use?
Paediatrician at the Royal Childrens Hospital and Associate Professor and Clinician Scientist, University of Melbourne and MCRI, Murdoch Children's Research Institute