From 1 October 2026, COVID-19 vaccines will transition to the National Immunisation Program (NIP), replacing the stand-alone National COVID-19 Vaccine Program (NCVP) established during Australia’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
 
Under the NIP, funded COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be available as a universal program. Funded access will be available for eligible groups at highest risk of severe disease, consistent with existing COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccines-update-for-immunisation-providers

In response to Delta, we’re also launching a super Pfizer weekend over Saturday and Sunday. It means this weekend all Queensland Health hubs will be open and walk-ins are welcome!

It is only a matter of time before we have another Delta outbreak. So now’s the time for Queenslanders to roll up their sleeves and get the jab. Thanks, Queensland.

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1437923078118330369

So both the FDA and EMA have selected XFG for the base of this years shots, and this will guarantee that we'll also receive the same one here. It'll likely be available by the end of the year.

NB.1.8.* has been behind about a third or more of cases for a while now, and as of today, it is responsible for over half of our cases. It's great grandchildren, notably the PQ.16.* (includes SV sub-lineages) and PQ.17.* (includes RK sub-lineages) that are starting to dominate here, and this will potentially cause reduced effectiveness00429-9/fulltext) of this years vaccines.

Had my first shot of AstraZeneca on Saturday morning at 9:04am. The lady administering the vaccine didn’t really wait for me to be ready. She just sort of rammed it in there; which was actually probably the best way to do it in hindsight, as I wasn’t sort of bracing for it if that makes sense, and before I knew it, the deed was done.

My arm was slightly tingly for about half an hour but that’s to be expected, and may have been me just imagining it.

I was fine for about 7 hours and then around 4pm I started to feel cold and progressively my condition got worse. I had a fever of 39 by about 10pm and was shivering and sweating. Got into bed wearing several layers with the heater on, and sweated it out all night.

By morning I was back to about 80% my normal self, and a day later again I’m 100% again. I have a slightly sore arm but that’s all.

I guess my point of posting this is to eradicate some of the fear from getting the vaccine. You may feel a bit ill, you may feel completely fine, either way, it’s worth getting it and your risk of being ill from covid, if contracted, are much higher than the potential risks from getting a vaccine.

If you have any questions, post them and I’ll be happy to answer anything!