Professor of Epidemiology @UNSW with an eye on infection at all times. Advisor to @WHO Health Emergencies IPC Preparedness, Readiness and Response to COVID-19

Sydney, New South Wales
Joined December 2015
Replying to @friday48753868
Higher efficacy is best option for sure. If you can still get asymptomatic infection after vaccination you can spread it. Herd immunity is only achieved when a vaccine prevents spread of infection (not just symptoms/death).
4
3
Replying to @giddeygirl
Not routinely done. Following a cohort of vaccinated people would certainly improve our knowledge about immunity.
2
Replying to @Randall87454048
Higher efficacy is better for sure! But if thete’s no other option I’m suggesting any vaccine is better than none.
3
3
Replying to @YouAreLobbyLud
I’m on vacation...sort of🤣
3
Replying to @SarahLulu
You are likely to be considered medically vulnerable and get Pfizer.
2
4
Replying to @me_allyann
No research, yet, to rule out switching vaccines the next season.
1
3
Replying to @camybobany
I believe the plan is for the vulnerable to be vaccinated early with Pfizer.
3
6
Replying to @Chicklegs11
Seasonal vaccination is likely & no research, yet, to rule out having a different vaccine the following season.
2
Hi Lucy. Indeed procuring higher efficacy is the better option.
1
4
14
Herd immunity is not the goal of current vaccines because 1) all levels infections not preventable 2) would need high efficacy for all level of infection & high pop coverage. Please get any vaccine to give better chance of protection from symptoms, possibly severe COVID & death.
33
223
13
644
Great news frontline staff will now be tested daily. Now we need to reduce risk of incoming COVID19 & variants with testing international travellers & crew before they board & immediately on arrival.
My colleagues and I wrote 7 Dec an open letter to State/Fed asking for rapid antigen testing of every incoming travellers without exception. Better late than never. Qantas crew member tests Covid-positive theguardian.com/australia-ne…
11
70
335
Replying to @Darkhorse800hp
Touching the mask is a risk in healthcare settings, while no evidence in the community setting. Behaviour is the key yes but to make mask use the new 'norm' when case numbers rise making it mandatory is the first step, along with giving them out freely.
5
1
6
Mandatory masks will help to prevent the spread of COVID 👌. Government, shopping malls and venues should hand out free masks to augment the current physical distancing and hand hygiene stations. Assisting everyone's cooperation is more effective than fines.
51
190
11
951
Mandatory mask use protects everyone & is essential during outbreaks. Why can't we "safely speed" on roads? If we get it wrong we kill ourselves as well as others. Why can't we 'decide' when we wear a mask ? Because if we get it wrong we infect ourselves but also others.
109
701
56
2,716
Im not suggesting we cant do this. Rather at this rate of injecting (& Pfizer instructions require additional staff) health services needs to focus on just mass vaccination not chasing cases. UK has achieved 138,000 and 15mins per person (for older residents?) we must focus staff
5
Replying to @profsarahj
mass vacc will use no gloves, require hand hygiene between patients, Pfizer requires informed consent, check no contraindications, drawing up .3mls & quality check of solution before inject, review each person after injections. UK factors 15mins. Faster just needs more staff
1
1
15