ONGOING COVID-19 frustration continues to occur with delayed access to needed supplies.
It is important to keep in mind the changing nature of COVID. For two years governments around the world have been managing the constantly changing impacts of the virus. No one has had a crystal ball, but there are plenty of armchair critics and self-declared experts providing reviews.
Long-term outcomes will be the proof of any comparative “success”. Australia has tracked well, in terms of vaccine rollout, mortality rates and the economy.
Early on our focus was on manufacturing our own vaccine – AstraZeneca. However, media coverage and scare campaigns caused a pivot towards the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Consequently, the rollout was effectively paused while supplies were expedited.
Politics is not just about determining best decisions, it’s also about bringing the nation with you. Media continues to play a role in the confidence and trust people have in government – crucial in a pandemic.
During the Delta mutation and state-imposed lockdowns, PCR testing was required. Australia chose this test for its accuracy. Albeit transporting tests to capital cities increased delays for regional people. While PCRs were slower, they were and remain Australia’s preferred test due to their reliability.
However, as Omicron became the prevailing mutation, transmissibility increased and severity reduced. More people needed tests and the shift to rapid antigen testing became necessary. Even as cases rose, PCR testing was still effective.
When Omicron appeared, it was clear early a shift was necessary. As the northern hemisphere headed into winter with corresponding higher infection rates, global RAT supply struggled. Australia’s order was in a queue.
Struggling supply chains continue to cause delays, a phenomena consistent across the globe. Fifty-two million RATs are on their way to Australia, to add to the 10 million in the national stockpile.
The Novavax vaccine was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration this week and will now go to ATAGI for approval. It’s the first protein COVID-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia and the first shipment is expected in the coming month.
Governments will continue to pivot as required to meet head-on the various challenges we face as a nation. And inevitably, the new ones that arise.
