Search

“Is that Snoop Dog?!”: Man caught with fake passenger in carpool lane

A US motorist has been handed a traffic infringement after police found him using a dummy to drive in the carpool lane. Not only did his hilarious attempt to bypass morning traffic with the fake passenger whose goatee was "just a little too sharp" get him fined, he helped authorities answer the common question: “If I have a mannequin in the passenger seat, does that count as a second occupant in the vehicle? "The answer is simple… NO." According to an Instagram post shared by the California Highway Patrol Santa Fe Spring, authorities stopped the unnamed driver for crossing a double line when they noticed the plastic passenger. "Officer Kaplan made an enforcement stop on this vehicle for crossing solid double lines only to realise the driver was the only occupant in the vehicle with their plastic friend," they wrote. The mannequin in question had a human-like mask, sported a hoodie and sunglasses, and was seated upright with his seatbelt buckled in just like any other passenger. And he would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for the fake facial hair. "The goatee was sharp … just a little too sharp," they shared. "We've gotta give it to them, the appearance is next-level modelling but at the end of the day ... plastic is plastic." <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6K7Thkr2CO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6K7Thkr2CO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by CHP Santa Fe Springs (@chp_santa_fe_springs)</a> </div> </blockquote> The driver was issued with a number of citations for carpool violations, but many online commenters shared their amusement at the light-hearted nature of the traffic violation. "Is that snoop dog?!" wrote one commenter. "Leave Stevie wonder alone," joked another. "I really don’t see a problem here because most people are fake and have lots of plastic on them anyways," quipped a third. Image: Instagram

Legal

AstraZeneca admits to Covid vaccine's deadly side effect

AstraZeneca has admitted that their Covid vaccine carries a very rare but deadly side effect, as "dozens" of class-action lawsuits pile up. The UK pharmaceutical giant could be facing damages of up to $38 million, as lawyers representing complainants whose loved ones who were injured or killed from the jab called the vaccine "defective". Those who received the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine could be susceptible to a rare and potentially blood clotting disorder called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS, in which patients suffer from blood clots as well as a low blood platelet count. While the side effect is rare, recent research from RMIT University and Monash University found Australia’s Covid-19 vaccination rollout likely prevented the death of 17,760 people aged over 50 in New South Wales between August 2021 and July 2022, with some researchers suggesting that AstraZeneca alone helped saved as many as six million lives worldwide, according to the <a title="nypost.com" href="https://nypost.com/2024/04/29/world-news/astrazeneca-cops-to-rare-deadly-side-effect-of-covid-jab-as-lawsuits-mount/">New York Post.</a> AstraZeneca, which is contesting the claims, acknowledged in a February legal document that its vaccine can “in very rare cases,” cause the clotting condition, while also acknowledging that the potential complication was listed as a side effect of the vaccine since its release. So far, 51 cases have been filed in London’s High Court, estimated to be worth around $190 million (GBP100 million) total, according to the UK newspaper<a title="www.telegraph.co.uk" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/28/astrazeneca-admits-covid-vaccine-causes-rare-side-effect/"> The Telegraph</a>. However, thanks to a deal struck between AstraZeneca and the UK government during the worst of the pandemic, the drugmaker has been pre-emptively indemnified against future lawsuits – which means any successful claims for payouts will be born by taxpayers. One of the claimants is father-of-two Jamie Scott, who was left with a permanent brain injury after suffering a clot following receiving the vaccine in April 2021. His wife, Kate, told <a title="www.telegraph.co.uk" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/28/astrazeneca-admits-covid-vaccine-causes-rare-side-effect/">The Telegraph </a>she’s hopeful the company’s admission will accelerate the outcome of their case. “We need an apology, fair compensation for our family and other families who have been affected. We have the truth on our side, and we are not going to give up.” Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Outrage after grandma beaten at home by fake officers

The quiet neighbourhood of Girrawheen, Perth, has been rocked by a vicious assault perpetrated by three assailants disguised as police officers. The aftermath of this cowardly act has left an older couple traumatised and the community reeling with shock and outrage, with police releasing a graphic image of one of the victims in an attempt to help bring the perpetrators to justice. The victim of this brutal attack, 73-year-old Nannette, bore the brunt of the assailants' aggression, enduring a savage beating while her husband, Phillip, was bound and left traumatised inside their own home. The assailants, described as having olive complexions, fled the scene after ransacking the house and stealing jewellery of significant value. The image released by Western Australia Police, with Nannette's approval, was a stark portrayal of the brutality inflicted upon her. Police Commissioner Col Blanch condemned the attack in the strongest terms, expressing his disgust at the violence perpetrated against innocent civilians in their own home. “I saw the photo of the victim this morning, and it made me sick to my stomach,” Blanch said. “To have people at home suffer that type of attack is a disgrace.” Detective Inspector Gary Butler, visibly disturbed by the severity of the incident, highlighted the need for the community to come together to support the investigation and ensure that justice is served. "Violence of this nature is unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated," he said. The daughter of the victims also spoke out, shedding light on the harrowing ordeal her parents endured. She described her mother as a resilient individual who had recently battled cancer and was in the process of recovering. The attack has not only left physical scars but has also shattered their sense of security in their own home. “They tied my dad up, in their own home," she said. "So it’s not safe to come back.” Nannette, reportedly traumatised and in pain, requires medical treatment for her injuries. The psychological toll of such a traumatic experience is immeasurable, not only for the victims but also for their loved ones and the wider community. In the wake of this despicable act, Inspector Butler issued a plea for information, urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward. "We will not stop until these offenders are apprehended and placed before the courts," he said. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Images: WA Police | Nine News

Caring

There are new flu vaccines on offer for 2024. Should I get one? What do I need to know?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/allen-cheng-94997">Allen Cheng</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Influenza is a common respiratory infection. Although most cases are relatively mild, flu can cause more severe illness in young children and older people. Influenza virtually <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33243355/">disappeared</a> from Australia during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic when public health restrictions reduced contact between people. Since 2022, it has returned to a seasonal pattern, although the flu season has started and peaked a few months earlier than before 2020. It’s difficult to predict the intensity of the flu season at this point in the year, but we can sometimes get clues from the northern hemisphere. There, the season <a href="https://www.who.int/tools/flunet">started</a> <a href="https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/flu_by_age_virus.html">earlier</a> than usual for the third year running (peaking in early January rather than late February/March), with a similar number of reported cases and hospitalisations to the previous year. Influenza vaccines are recommended annually, but there are now an increasing number of different vaccine types. Here’s what to know about this year’s shots, available from <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine">this month</a>. <h2>What goes into a flu vaccine?</h2> Like other vaccines, influenza vaccines work by “training” the immune system on a harmless component of the influenza virus (known as an antigen), so it can respond appropriately when the body encounters the real virus. Influenza strains are constantly changing due to genetic mutation, with the pace of genetic change <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10421855">much higher</a> than for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID). The strains that go into the vaccine are <a href="https://www.who.int/teams/global-influenza-programme/vaccines/who-recommendations">reviewed</a> twice each year by the World Health Organization (WHO), which selects vaccine strains to match the next season’s predicted circulating strains. All current influenza vaccines in <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/publication/meeting-statements/aivc-recommendations-composition-influenza-vaccines-australia-2024">Australia</a> contain four different strains (known as quadrivalent vaccines). One of the strains appeared to <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2314801">disappear</a> during the COVID pandemic, and the WHO has recently <a href="https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/influenza/who-influenza-recommendations/vcm-southern-hemisphere-recommendation-2024/202309_qanda_recommendation.pdf?sfvrsn=7a6906d1_5">recommended</a> dropping this strain from the vaccine. It’s expected trivalent (three strain) vaccines will become available in the near future. <h2>What’s different about new flu vaccines?</h2> There are eight brands of flu vaccines <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-statement-on-the-administration-of-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-2024?language=en">available</a> in Australia in 2024. These include egg-based vaccines (Vaxigrip Tetra, Fluarix Tetra, Afluria Quad, FluQuadri and Influvac Tetra), cell-based vaccines (Flucelvax Quad), adjuvanted vaccines (Fluad Quad) and high-dose vaccines (Fluzone High-Dose Quad). Until recently, the process of manufacturing flu vaccines has remained similar. Since the development of the influenza vaccine in the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/history-of-influenza-vaccination">1940s</a>, influenza viruses were grown in chicken eggs, then extracted, inactivated, purified and processed to make up the egg-based vaccines that are still used widely. However, there have been several enhancements to influenza vaccines in recent years. Older people’s immune systems tend not to respond as strongly to vaccines. In some flu vaccines, adjuvants (components that stimulate the immune system) are included with the influenza antigens. For example, an adjuvant is used in the Fluad Quad vaccine, recommended for over 65s. Studies <a href="https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/Adjuvanted%20influenza%20vaccine%20vs%20standard%20dose%20influenza%20vaccine%20SoF%20EP%20E2D%20tables_26%20Feb%202021_Final.pdf">suggest</a> adjuvanted influenza vaccines are slightly better than standard egg-based vaccines without adjuvant in older people. An alternative approach to improving the immune response is to use higher doses of the vaccine strains. An example is Fluzone High-Dose Quad – another option for older adults – which contains the equivalent of four doses of a standard influenza vaccine. Studies <a href="https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/HD%20vs%20sIV%20SoF%20EP%20E2D_March%202022_Final.pdf">suggest</a> the high dose vaccine is better than the standard dose vaccine (without an adjuvant) in preventing hospitalisation and complications in older people. Other manufacturers have updated the manufacturing process. Cell-based vaccines, such as Flucelvax Quad, use cells instead of eggs in the manufacturing process. Other vaccines that are <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/advances.htm">not yet available</a> also use different technologies. In the past, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31151913/">manufacturing issues</a> with egg-based vaccines have reduced their effectiveness. Using an alternative method of production provides some degree of insurance against this in the future. <h2>What should I do this year?</h2> Given indications this year’s flu season may be earlier than usual, it’s probably safest to get your vaccine early. This is particularly <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-statement-on-the-administration-of-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-2024?language=en">important</a> for those at highest risk of severe illness, including older adults (65 years and over), those with chronic medical conditions, young children (six months to five years) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Influenza vaccines are also recommended in pregnancy to protect both the mother and the baby for the first months of life. Influenza vaccines are widely available, including at GP clinics and pharmacies, while many workplaces have occupational programs. For high-risk groups, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine">four of the vaccines</a> are subsidised by the Australian government through the <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-immunisation-program">National Immunisation Program</a>. In older people, a number of vaccines are now recommended: <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-03/atagi-statement-on-the-administration-of-covid-19-vaccines-in-2024.pdf">COVID</a> and influenza, as well as one-off courses of <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/06/national-immunisation-program-pneumococcal-vaccination-schedule-from-1-july-2020-clinical-advice-for-vaccination-providers.pdf">pneumococcal</a> and <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/shingles-herpes-zoster-immunisation-service">shingles</a> vaccines. In general, most vaccines can be given in the same visit, but talk to your doctor about which ones you need. <h2>Are there side effects?</h2> All influenza vaccines can <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine">cause</a> a sore arm and sometimes more generalised symptoms such as fever and tiredness. These are expected and reflect the immune system reacting appropriately to the vaccine, and are mostly mild and short-term. These side effects are slightly more common in <a href="https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/Adjuvanted%20influenza%20vaccine%20vs%20standard%20dose%20influenza%20vaccine%20SoF%20EP%20E2D%20tables_26%20Feb%202021_Final.pdf">adjuvanted</a> and <a href="https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/HD%20vs%20sIV%20SoF%20EP%20E2D_March%202022_Final.pdf">high dose</a> vaccines. As with all medications and vaccines, allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis can occur after the flu vaccine. All vaccine providers are trained to recognise and respond to anaphylaxis. People with egg allergies should discuss this with their doctor, but in general, <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy/egg-allergy-flu-vaccine">studies suggest</a> they can safely receive any (including egg-based) influenza vaccines. Serious side effects from the influenza vaccine, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological complication, are very rare (one case per million people vaccinated). They are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23810252/">thought</a> to be less common after influenza vaccination than after infection with influenza.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/226623/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/allen-cheng-94997">Allen Cheng</a>, Professor of Infectious Diseases, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/there-are-new-flu-vaccines-on-offer-for-2024-should-i-get-one-what-do-i-need-to-know-226623">original article</a>.

Body

Dad awarded compensation after developing heart issue from mandatory vaccine

An Adelaide father is set to receive hefty compensation after a mandatory Covid jab left him with a debilitating health condition. In 2021 at the height of the Covid pandemic in Australia, 44-year-old Daniel Shepherd was required to receive tow Covid vaccinations, due to his hands on role at an aged care facility. After having two Pfizer vaccines, he suffered some adverse effects, but dismissed his symptoms as nothing serious. In the months after, Shepherd was required to have a booster shot when he began a new job with the Department of Child Protection in October of the same year. In January 2022, the father was told if we wanted to keep his job as a health and childcare worker, he needed to have the jab. After eventually agreeing to the booster, Shepherd has his third dose of Pfizer in late February 2022, but began suffering from chest pains just hours later. "It felt like someone had their knee right on my chest," he told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/adelaide-news-covid-vaccine-man-to-get-government-compensation-after-developing-heart-condition/55cc0fbf-4631-4cf0-b395-8c8b6c71a43f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">9News.</a> The pain kept getting worse until he was rushed to hospital a few weeks later when he thought he was having a heart attack. There he was diagnosed with post-vaccine pericarditis: an inflammation of the membrane around the heart. His illness meant he was unable to work full time, and also meant he was unable to keep up with his young son. "Even today with just mild exertion [I get] chest pains and then it's followed by fatigue, like severe fatigue," Shepard said. "It's heartbreaking to have to say 'sorry buddy, daddy's tired'." Mr Shepherd decided to take legal action after he was unable to work, launching a workers compensation claim against the government. In a landmark ruling in mid-January, the South Australian Employment Tribunal agreed to pay weekly compensation and medical bills to Shepherd. Doctors were unanimous in his case that the vaccine was the cause of his inability to work, but the government argued emergency directions that were in place at the time trumped the laws around workplace injury. Pericarditis is meant to clear within a few months, but Shepherd's symptoms have plagued him for almost two years. Image credits: 9News

Legal

Millions of high-risk Australians aren’t getting vaccinated. A policy reset could save lives

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-breadon-1348098">Peter Breadon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ingrid-burfurd-1295906">Ingrid Burfurd</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a> Each year, vaccines prevent thousands of deaths and hospitalisations in Australia. But millions of high-risk older Australians <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/a-fair-shot-ensuring-all-australians-can-get-the-vaccines-they-need/">aren’t getting</a> recommended vaccinations against COVID, the flu, pneumococcal disease and shingles. Some people are more likely to miss out, such as migrant communities and those in rural areas and poorer suburbs. As our new <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/a-fair-shot-ensuring-all-australians-can-get-the-vaccines-they-need/">Grattan report shows</a>, a policy reset to encourage more Australians to get vaccinated could save lives and help ease the pressure on our struggling hospitals. <h2>Adult vaccines reduce the risk of serious illness</h2> Vaccines slash the risk of <a href="https://www.ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2021-03/Influenza-fact-sheet_31%20March%202021_Final.pdf">hospitalisation</a> and serious illness, <a href="https://ncirs.org.au/recent-covid-19-vaccination-highly-effective-against-death-caused-sars-cov-2-infection-older">often by more than half</a>. COVID has already caused more than <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/provisional-mortality-statistics/latest-release">3,000 deaths in Australia this year</a>. On average, the flu kills about <a href="https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/statement-on-the-doherty-institute-modelling">600 people a year</a>, although a bad flu season, like 2017, can mean <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/3303.0%7E2017%7EMain%20Features%7EAustralia's%20leading%20causes%20of%20death,%202017%7E2">several thousand deaths</a>. And pneumococcal disease may also kill <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/49809836-8ead-4da5-81c4-352fa64df75b/aihw-phe-263.pdf?inline=true">hundreds</a> of people a year. Shingles is rarely fatal, but can be extremely painful and cause <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/shingles#complications">long-term nerve damage</a>. Even before COVID, vaccine-preventable diseases caused tens of thousands of potentially preventable hospitalisations each year – more than <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/primary-health-care/disparities-in-potentially-preventable-hospitalisa/data">80,000 in 2018</a>. Vaccines offered in Australia have been tested for safety and efficacy and have been found to be <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/about-immunisation/vaccine-safety#:%7E:text=serious%20side%20effects.-,Vaccine%20safety%20monitoring,approved%20for%20use%20in%20Australia.">very safe</a> for people who are <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/when-to-get-vaccinated/national-immunisation-program-schedule">recommended to get them</a>. <h2>Too many high-risk people are missing out</h2> Our <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/roundabouts-overpasses-carparks-hauling-the-federal-government-back-to-its-proper-role-in-transport-projects">report</a> shows that before winter this year, only 60% of high-risk Australians were vaccinated against the flu. Only 38% had a COVID vaccination in the last six months. Compared to a year earlier, two million more high-risk people went into winter without a recent COVID vaccination. Vaccination rates have fallen further since. Just over one-quarter (<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/covid-19-vaccine-rollout-update-10-november-2023.pdf">27%</a>) of people over 75 have been vaccinated in the last six months. That leaves more than 1.3 million without a recent COVID vaccination. Uptake is also low for other vaccines. Among Australians in their 70s, <a href="https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/Coverage%20report%202021%20SUMMARY%20FINAL.pdf">less than half</a> are vaccinated against shingles and only one in five are vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. These vaccination rates aren’t just low – they’re also unfair. The likelihood that someone is vaccinated changes depending on where they live, where they were born, what language they speak at home, and how much they earn. For example, at the start of winter this year, the COVID vaccination rate for high-risk Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults was only 25%. This makes them about one-third less likely to have been vaccinated against COVID in the previous six months, compared to the average high-risk Australian. For more than 750,000 high-risk adults who do not speak English at home, the COVID vaccination rate is below 20% – about half the level of the average high-risk adult. Within this group, 250,000 adults aren’t proficient in English. They were 58% less likely to be vaccinated for COVID in the previous six months, compared to the average high-risk person. High-risk adults who speak English at home have a flu vaccination rate of 62%. But for people from 29 other language groups, who aren’t proficient in English, the rate is less than 31%. These 39,000 people have half the vaccination rate of people who speak English at home. These vaccination gaps contribute to the differences in people’s health. Australians born overseas don’t just have much lower rates of COVID vaccination, they also have much higher rates of death from COVID. Where people live also affects vaccination rates. High-risk people living in remote and very remote areas are less likely to be vaccinated, and even within capital cities there are big differences between different areas. <h2>We need to set ambitious targets</h2> Australia needs a vaccination reset. A new National Vaccination Agreement between the federal and state governments should include ambitious but achievable targets for adult vaccines. This can build on the success of targets for childhood and adolescent vaccination, setting targets for overall uptake and for communities that are falling behind. The federal government should ask the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) to advise on vaccination targets for COVID, flu, pneumococcal and shingles for all high-risk older adults. <h2>Different solutions for different barriers</h2> Barriers to vaccination range from the trivial to the profound. A new national vaccination strategy needs to dismantle high and low barriers alike. First, to increase overall uptake, vaccination should be easier, and easier to understand. The federal government should introduce vaccination “surges”, especially in the lead-up to winter, as <a href="https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/09-10-2023-vulnerable--vaccinate.-protecting-the-unprotected-from-covid-19-and-influenza">countries in Europe</a> do. During surges, high-risk people should be able to get vaccinated even if they have had a recent infection or injection. This will make the rules simpler and make vaccination in aged care easier. Surges should be reinforced with advertising explaining who should get vaccinated and why. High-risk people should get SMS reminders. Second, targeted policies are needed for the many people who are happy to use mainstream primary care services, but who don’t get vaccinated – for example, due to <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-can-governments-communicate-with-multicultural-australians-about-covid-vaccines-its-not-as-simple-as-having-a-poster-in-their-language-156097">language barriers</a>, or living in <a href="https://theconversation.com/over-half-of-eligible-aged-care-residents-are-yet-to-receive-their-covid-booster-and-winter-is-coming-205403">aged care</a>. <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/phn/what-PHNs-are">Primary Health Networks</a> should get funding to coordinate initiatives such as vaccination events in aged care and disability care homes, workforce training to support culturally appropriate care, and provision of interpreters. Third, tailored programs are needed to reach <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/health-promotion">people who are not comfortable or able to access mainstream health care</a>, who have the most complex barriers to vaccination – for example, distrust of the health system or poverty. These communities are all very different, so one-size-fits-all programs don’t work. The pandemic showed that vaccination programs can succeed when they are designed and delivered with the communities they are trying to reach. Examples are “<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36366401/">community champions</a>” who challenge misinformation, or health services organising vaccination events where communities work, gather or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/aug/11/hundreds-queue-for-hours-and-some-camp-overnight-at-pop-up-vaccine-clinic-in-sydneys-lakemba">worship</a>. These programs should get ongoing funding, but also be accountable for achieving results. Adult vaccines are the missing piece in Australia’s whole-of-life vaccination strategy. For the health and safety of the most vulnerable members of our community, we need to close the vaccination gap. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/217915/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-breadon-1348098">Peter Breadon</a>, Program Director, Health and Aged Care, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ingrid-burfurd-1295906">Ingrid Burfurd</a>, Senior Associate, Health Program, Grattan Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/millions-of-high-risk-australians-arent-getting-vaccinated-a-policy-reset-could-save-lives-217915">original article</a>.

Body

What are the new COVID booster vaccines? Can I get one? Do they work? Are they safe?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-griffin-1129798">Paul Griffin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> As the COVID virus continues to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36680207/">evolve</a>, so does our vaccine response. From <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/new-covid-19-vaccines-available-to-target-current-variants?language=en">December 11</a>, Australians will have access to <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-recommendations-on-use-of-the-moderna-and-pfizer-monovalent-omicron-xbb15-covid-19-vaccines?language=en">new vaccines</a> that offer better protection. These “monovalent” booster vaccines are expected to be a <a href="https://theconversation.com/cdc-greenlights-two-updated-covid-19-vaccines-but-how-will-they-fare-against-the-latest-variants-5-questions-answered-213341">better match</a> for currently circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. Pfizer’s monovalent vaccine will be <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/new-covid-19-vaccines-available-to-target-current-variants?language=en">available</a> to eligible people aged five years and older. The Moderna monovalent vaccine can be used for those aged 12 years and older. Who is eligible for these new boosters? How do they differ from earlier ones? Do they work? Are they safe? <h2>Who’s eligible for the new boosters?</h2> The federal government has accepted the Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI) recommendation to use the new vaccines, after Australia’s regulator <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccines-regulatory-status">approved their use last month</a>. However, vaccine eligibility has remained the same since September. ATAGI <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-recommendations-on-use-of-the-moderna-and-pfizer-monovalent-omicron-xbb15-covid-19-vaccines?language=en">recommends</a> Australians aged over 75 get vaccinated if it has been six months or more since their last dose. People aged 65 to 74 are recommended to have a 2023 booster if they haven’t already had one. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/560533/original/file-20231120-21-4igdnx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/560533/original/file-20231120-21-4igdnx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/560533/original/file-20231120-21-4igdnx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=315&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560533/original/file-20231120-21-4igdnx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=315&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560533/original/file-20231120-21-4igdnx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=315&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560533/original/file-20231120-21-4igdnx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560533/original/file-20231120-21-4igdnx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560533/original/file-20231120-21-4igdnx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>For people without risk factors. <a class="source" href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/atagi-recommended-covid-19-vaccine-doses.pdf">Health.gov.au</a></figcaption></figure> Adults aged 18 to 64 with underlying risk factors that increase their risk of severe COVID are also recommended to have a 2023 booster if they haven’t had one yet. And if they’ve already had a 2023 booster, they can consider an additional dose. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/560532/original/file-20231120-26-70jfyr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/560532/original/file-20231120-26-70jfyr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/560532/original/file-20231120-26-70jfyr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=311&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560532/original/file-20231120-26-70jfyr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=311&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560532/original/file-20231120-26-70jfyr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=311&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560532/original/file-20231120-26-70jfyr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=391&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560532/original/file-20231120-26-70jfyr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=391&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/560532/original/file-20231120-26-70jfyr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=391&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Advice for people with risk factors. <a class="source" href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/atagi-recommended-covid-19-vaccine-doses.pdf">Health.gov.au</a></figcaption></figure> For adults aged 18 to 64 without underlying risk factors who have already received a 2023 booster, an additional dose isn’t recommended. But if you’re aged 18 to 64 and haven’t had a booster in 2023, you can consider an additional dose. Additional doses aren’t recommended for children without underlying conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID. A primary course is not recommended for children aged six months to five years without additional risk factors. <h2>Monovalent, bivalent? What’s the difference?</h2> From monovalent The initial COVID vaccines were “monovalent”. They had one target – the original viral strain. But as the virus mutated, we assigned new letters of the Greek alphabet to each variant. This brings us to Omicron. With this significant change, we saw “immune evasion”. The virus had changed so much the original vaccines didn’t provide sufficient immunity. To bivalent So vaccines were updated to target an early Omicron subvariant, BA.1, plus the original ancestral strain. With two targets, these were the first of the “bivalent” vaccines, which were approved in Australia <a href="https://theconversation.com/omicron-specific-vaccines-may-give-slightly-better-covid-protection-but-getting-boosted-promptly-is-the-best-bet-190736">in 2022</a>. Omicron continued to evolve, leading to more “immune escape”, contributing to repeated waves of transmission. The vaccines were updated again in <a href="https://theconversation.com/havent-had-covid-or-a-vaccine-dose-in-the-past-six-months-consider-getting-a-booster-199096">early 2023</a>. These newer bivalent vaccines target two strains – the ancestral strain plus the subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. Back to monovalent Further changes in the virus have meant our boosters needed to be updated again. This takes us to the recent announcement. This time the booster targets another subvariant of Omicron known as XBB.1.5 (sometimes known as <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-kraken-subvariant-xbb-1-5-sounds-scary-but-behind-the-headlines-are-clues-to-where-covids-heading-198158">Kraken</a>). This vaccine is monovalent once more, meaning it has only one target. The target against the original viral strain has been removed. According to advice given to the World Health Organization <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/18-05-2023-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines">in May</a>, this is largely because immunity to this original strain is no longer required (it’s no longer infecting humans). Raising immunity to the original strain may also hamper the immune response to the newer component, but we’re not sure if this is occurring or how important this is. The United States <a href="https://theconversation.com/cdc-greenlights-two-updated-covid-19-vaccines-but-how-will-they-fare-against-the-latest-variants-5-questions-answered-213341">approved</a> XBB.1.5-specific vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna in <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-updated-mrna-covid-19-vaccines-better-protect-against-currently-circulating">mid-September</a>. These updated vaccines have also been <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/auspar-spikevax-xbb.1.5-231012.pdf">approved in</a> places including Europe, Canada, Japan and Singapore. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved them <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccines-regulatory-status">in October</a>. <h2>Do these newer vaccines work?</h2> Evidence for the efficacy of these new monovalent vaccines comes from the results of research <a href="https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent=&id=CP-2023-PI-02409-1&d=20231117172310101">Pfizer</a> and <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/auspar/auspar-spikevax-xbb15">Moderna</a> submitted to the TGA. Evidence also comes from a <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.08.22.23293434v2">preprint</a> (preliminary research available online that has yet to be independently reviewed) and an update Pfizer <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2023-09-12/10-COVID-Modjarrad-508.pdf">presented</a> to the US Centers for Disease Control. Taken together, the available evidence shows the updated vaccines produce good levels of antibodies in <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/auspar/auspar-spikevax-xbb15">laboratory studies</a>, <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.08.22.23293434v2">in humans</a> and <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/auspar/auspar-spikevax-xbb15">mice</a> when compared to previous vaccines and when looking at multiple emerging variants, including EG.5 (sometimes known as <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-who-has-declared-eris-a-variant-of-interest-how-is-it-different-from-other-omicron-variants-211276">Eris</a>). This variant is the one causing high numbers of cases around the world currently, including in Australia. It is very similar to the XBB version contained in the updated booster. The updated vaccines should also cover <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-evasive-and-transmissible-is-the-newest-omicron-offshoot-ba-2-86-that-causes-covid-19-4-questions-answered-212453">BA.2.86 or Pirola</a>, according to <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/auspar-spikevax-xbb.1.5-231012.pdf">early results</a> from clinical trials and the US <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/covid-19-variant.html">Centers for Disease Control</a>. This variant is responsible for a rapidly increasing proportion of cases, with case numbers growing <a href="https://twitter.com/BigBadDenis/status/1725310295596560662?s=19">in Australia</a>. It’s clear the virus is going to continue to evolve. So performance of these vaccines against new variants will continue to be closely monitored. <h2>Are they safe?</h2> The <a href="https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent=&id=CP-2023-PI-02409-1&d=20231117172310101">safety</a> of the updated vaccines has also been shown to be similar to previous versions. Studies <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.08.22.23293434v2">comparing them</a> found no significant difference in terms of the adverse events reported. Given the availability of the updated vaccines, some countries have removed their approval for earlier versions. This is because newer versions are a closer match to currently circulating strains, rather than any safety issue with the older vaccines. <h2>What happens next?</h2> The availability of updated vaccines is a welcome development, however this is not the end of the story. We need to make sure eligible people get vaccinated. We also need to acknowledge that vaccination should form part of a comprehensive strategy to limit the impact of COVID from now on. That includes measures such as mask wearing, social distancing, focusing on ventilation and air quality, and to a lesser degree hand hygiene. Rapidly accessing antivirals if eligible is also still important, as is keeping away from others if you are infected.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/217804/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-griffin-1129798">Paul Griffin</a>, Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-the-new-covid-booster-vaccines-can-i-get-one-do-they-work-are-they-safe-217804">original article</a>.

Body

Top End tourism surge after massive search for fake Aussie town

In an absolute boon to Top End tourism, it appears that Google users have been working overtime trying to locate a little slice of Northern Territory paradise known as Agnes Bluff and its nearby neighbour Mia Tukurta National Park. Why, you ask? Because they're convinced it's the next hidden holiday hotspot. But here's the catch: it's completely made up. This newfound obsession with Agnes Bluff and Mia Tukurta National Park is all thanks to Amazon Prime's latest hit series, The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart. People have been binge-watching the show and drooling over the stunning landscapes, causing Google searches for these places to shoot up like a rocket on a sugar rush. According to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/northern-territory/google-searches-surge-for-agnes-bluff-an-aussie-town-that-doesnt-exist/news-story/59f00cc1e89074de0e6464c0072ae4b8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>, Google searches for Agnes Bluff skyrocketed by a whopping 1640 per cent between July and August in Australia, and then another 40 per cent in September, all thanks to the series. And it's not just our fellow Aussies on the hunt for these mystical places – folks from Spain, Canada, the UK, the United States and Italy are also joining the imaginary treasure hunt. Can we blame them for trying to uncover these hidden gems? After all, in the show, Agnes Bluff and Mia Tukurta National Park look so darn spectacular that even the Loch Ness Monster might want to visit. But chin up, dear travellers! While you can't exactly book a one-way ticket to Fantasyland, you can still visit the real-life locations that inspired the series. This show was born from the creative genius of Aussie author Holly Ringland, who drew inspiration from her time living on Anangu land in Australia's Western Desert. In her news.com.au interview, she said, "To know people are Googling these places I fictionalised feels like a shot of joy straight to my heart – I don't know that there could be a greater compliment given to my writing." So, where was the series actually filmed? Well, it turns out they filmed all over Central Australia, including places like the Alice Springs Desert Park, Simpsons Gap, Ooraminna Station, Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge – just to name a few. And that crater that had everyone drooling? It's called Tnorala, or Gosses Bluff, and it's a mere 175km from Alice Springs. In fact, search interest in Gosses Bluff crater has hit a 15-year high in Australia, increasing by a whopping 500 per cent in August alone – so, it seems like people are genuinely eager to find their own piece of Alice Hart's world. Now, if you're wondering about the burning question that's on everyone's minds, it's this: "What is the crater in The Lost Flowers for Alice Hart?" And let me tell you, Gosses Bluff, or Tnorala, is the crater-du-jour. But here's the best part – this place is absolutely real; it's not a mirage or a figment of some writer's imagination. You can actually go there, touch it (not the crater itself, though), and breathe in the stunning views. Sure, you can't frolic inside the crater, but there are viewing points that will have you oohing and aahing like a kid in a candy store. And so, while Agnes Bluff and Mia Tukurta National Park might be the stuff of dreams, Gosses Bluff is the real deal. So it could be ime to pack your bags, grab your camera and get ready for an adventure that's so real, it'll make your Google searches feel like a distant dream. Images: Prime Video

Domestic Travel

Woman dies after being accused by doctors of faking symptoms

A woman from New Zealand has passed away from a debilitating illness after being told by a doctor that her illness was “all in her head”. Stephanie Aston, 33, died after a long and public battle with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare genetic disorder affecting the body’s connective tissue, on September 1st. EDS, of which there are 13 different variants, is often referred to as an "invisible illness", as sufferers can often appear healthy despite experiencing excruciating symptoms, such as severe migraines, dislocating joints, easy bruising, abdominal pain, iron deficiency, fainting and an abnormally fast heart-rate. Aston said she was dismissed by a doctor in 2016, who dismissed her symptoms and told her that she was faking her disease. Despite being diagnosed with EDS by three different specialists, one doctor in Auckland, who Aston referred to as 'Doctor A', suggested she was not seriously unwell and indicated she was causing her illnesses, <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/stephanie-aston-death-eds-sufferers-call-for-change-after-doctors-accused-woman-of-faking-illness/VX4Q6CAWRVH25I6OCKGQ4KTW4M/">The NZ Herald</a> reports. Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes New Zealand founder Kelly McQuinlan said Stephanie's death has shocked the community, and said more needs to be done for those suffering with the debilitating condition. “A lot of people are feeling very lost,” she said. “I think most people in these rare positions or invisible illnesses, definitely experience setbacks and disbelieving because things can’t be seen but really the clinical symptoms are there that are being ignored.” Ms McQuinlan described Ms Aston as a “beacon” for those with the illness in a tribute to her on Facebook. “Most people in our community have experienced some form of sort of doctors not believing them or questioning their diagnosis which is extremely hard,” she wrote. “When they see someone in their community pass away, the first thing they think is ‘What if my care is not looked after? What’s going to happen to me?’.” “At the end of the day, if symptoms aren’t managed correctly, anyone can get sick enough that they will pass away.” Image credits: Facebook

Caring

“Done with the vaccine”: Karl Stefanovic blasts fifth booster

Karl Stefanovic has once again sparked controversy after declaring he is “done with the vaccine.” Karl shocked viewers after expressing concerns that the jab could cause “heart issues” as the Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI) updated its vaccine recommendations. According to the ATAGI, as of February 20, anyone aged 18 and over who has not had the COVID vaccine or has not contracted the virus in the past six months will be eligible to get another shot - opening up a fourth dose for Aussies aged 19-29 and a fifth dose for those 65 and over. “As you know, I am not a glowing ambassador for more than two shots,” Stefanovic said. The Today show host then questioned whether another dose would be able to fight new strains of the virus, stating he is aware of people “over the age of 60 who are still incredibly nervous about getting it." “The other thing that I am concerned about, if I have another dose, is that I may get complications,” he said. The host’s guest, medical expert Dr Nick Coatsway insisted Australians aged 60 and over “needn’t be” scared of the jab but added that the conceded boosters are only a temporary solution. “Let’s understand the science, if you get a fifth dose your protection is enhanced for around about 8-12 weeks and then it returns after the fourth dose or the third dose,” Dr Coatsworth said. The ATAGI has again emphasised the importance of Aussies who are already eligible, including people over 65, to get their booster in 2023 as they remain at high risk of severe disease and death from COVID. Currently, there is no additional booster available to those 18 and below, with the exception of children aged 5-17 who are at high risk of developing a severe illness. Image credit: Getty

Man fakes own death to teach his family a tough life lesson

A Belgian TikToker has become the subject of the internet’s scorn after playing a prank on the loved ones and mourners gathered to bid him farewell at what they believed to be his funeral. They were under the assumption that the service was being held for the recently-departed David Baerten - their 45-year-old friend who was not, it turns out, dead after all. Instead, Baerten had devised a plan with his wife and children to trick everyone into believing he’d passed on, all so that he could teach them a ‘valuable’ lesson in the importance of staying in touch. In a bid to make Baerten’s friends and followers believe the lie, one of his daughters even posted to social media about his passing, writing “rest in peace Daddy. I will never stop thinking about you. “Why is life so unfair? Why you? You were going to be a grandfather, and you still had your whole life ahead of you. I love you! We love you! We will never forget you.” The ‘funeral’ was held near Liege for the TikToker - who uses the name Ragnar le Fou for his social media antics - with his family and friends coming together for what they thought was a final farewell. But as they prepared for that difficult task, things took a sharp turn. Baerten, who had been alive the entire time, descended in a helicopter with a camera crew in tow to surprise them all. In a video later shared to social media, he could be heard telling them “cheers to you all, welcome to my funeral.” Another user - who was present at the time - shared a clip of Baerten in the arms of his sobbing loved ones, while others took the opportunity to complain about the entire “joke”. <iframe style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; display: block; font-family: proxima-regular, PingFangSC, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff; width: 605px; height: 740px; visibility: unset; max-height: 740px;" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7243399474553425179?lang=en-GB&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-12190705%2FMan-fakes-death-arrives-funeral-helicopter-teach-family-lesson.html&embedFrom=oembed" name="__tt_embed__v11218062736010092" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin"></iframe>They were complaints that continued online, as the videos gained traction and many raced to condemn him for the heartless stunt. “Really shocking, it should be punishable by law!” one user declared. “I'm shocked,” another said, before asking how he’d been able to do that to those close to him. “He wanted to see who would be there with his eyes,” one said, “what narcissism”. Someone else agreed, noting that “you really have to be full of yourself to do such a thing.” The feedback was so strong that Baerten was forced to explain his actions, claiming that “what I see in my family often hurts me. I never get invited to anything. “Nobody sees me. We all grew apart. I felt unappreciated. That’s why I wanted to give them a life lesson, and show them that you shouldn’t wait until someone is dead to meet up with them.” And while he is yet to share his own professional footage from the day, his plan had worked. “Only half of my family came to the funeral,” he said. “That proves who really cares about me. Those who didn’t come, did contact me to meet up. “So in a way I did win.” Images: TikTok

Family & Pets

I’m over 65 and worried about the flu. Which vaccine should I have?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/magdalena-plebanski-1063786">Magdalena Plebanski</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jennifer-boer-1210047">Jennifer Boer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-louise-flanagan-1066858">Katie Louise Flanagan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kirsty-wilson-1103649">Kirsty Wilson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Influenza, or the flu, is a virus transmitted by respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. It can cause the sudden onset of a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle and joint pain. In Australia, the flu is responsible for <a href="https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-cdi4004f.htm">more than 5,000 hospitalisation and 100 deaths</a> a year. The highest rates are among those over 65, whose immune systems aren’t as effective as they used to be, and children under five, whose immune systems are yet to mature. To combat the decline in immunity as we age, specific vaccines are available for people aged 65 and over. So how do they work, and why exactly are they needed? <h2>Remind me, how does the immune system work?</h2> The immune system uses multiple mechanisms to fight viral infections, which can be divided into two major arms of the immune system, called innate and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity involves multiple inflammatory cells and chemicals that are triggered immediately, or within hours of encountering an infection. They activate the immune system to clear the infection. Adaptive immunity takes a little longer (weeks) to work and involves memory T cells and antibody-producing B cells, which can be reactivated when the body encounters a virus or other pathogen. The combined innate and adaptive immune response determines how well we respond to an invading virus like influenza. <h2>Why are older people more at risk from the flu?</h2> Generally, as we age past 65, the innate cells become less effective at their job of clearing infections. They also start <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev-cellbio-100616-060718">producing more inflammation</a>. New T and B cell numbers also decrease with increasing age and hence the adaptive immune response is also not as effective as when we are younger. This immune system decline is called immunosenescence, which leads to increased susceptibility, hospitalisation and death from influenza.Certain medical conditions, such as cancer and heart and lung conditions, increase susceptibility to severe influenza, with older people being more likely to have additional medical conditions than younger people. <h2>What flu vaccines are available?</h2> <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine">Annual flu vaccines</a> are recommended to protect against the common circulating strains of influenza, which can differ from year to year. The standard flu vaccines offered to adults aged under 65 consist of surface proteins of the virus or inactivated (killed) virus from four influenza strains: two A strains (H1N1 and H3N2) and two B strains. When you’re vaccinated, your immune system makes antibodies from B cells which protect you if you become exposed to these strains of the virus. However, the standard influenza vaccine is less effective in older people. Two stronger or augmented vaccines have been made targeting this age group. They contain the same components as the standard vaccine, but one vaccine – called <a href="https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2020-CMI-01074-1&d=20230529172310101">Fluad</a> – uses a strong adjuvant (an agent used to increase the immune response to vaccination) called MF59 to stimulate better immunity. The other augmented vaccine, called <a href="https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2020-CMI-02062-1">Fluzone</a>, uses a four-fold higher dose of each influenza strain to increase immunity. <h2>How do they compare?</h2> <a href="https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/73/11/e4251/5992287?login=false">Studies comparing Fluad and Fluzone</a> show both vaccines stimulate stronger immunity against influenza than the standard flu vaccine and are therefore likely to provide better protection. Studies directly testing for improved clinical outcomes with vaccines for over-65s show a small benefit of receiving either of the vaccines over the standard vaccine, including a modest decrease in lab-confirmed influenza, <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(17)30235-7/fulltext">hospitalisations</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7563546/">emergency department visits</a> compared to the standard influenza vaccine. They are however yet to show and impact on flu-related deaths. <figure class="align-right "> </figure> In the few studies comparing <a href="https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/73/11/e4251/5992287?login=false">Fluad and Fluzone directly</a>, there is little evidence of a difference between them in reducing influenza and serious flu outcomes. <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-advice-on-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-2023">The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation therefore recommends</a> using either Fluad or Fluzone. While both have been Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved since 2020, only Fluad is available for free on the National Immunisation Program for people aged 65 and over. Fluzone is only available with a private prescription if you’re 60 years and over, at a cost of around A$65-70. If neither augmented vaccine is available, a standard influenza vaccine is also acceptable for older people, since any influenza vaccine is preferable to receiving none. Flu vaccines can also be given at the same time as COVID vaccines. <h2>How else can we protect against the flu?</h2> While influenza vaccination is the single most effective way of preventing influenza, other measures such as social distancing and wearing a mask or N95 respirator can also provide some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779801/">community protection</a>. Wearing a mask or N95 respirator significantly <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779801/">reduces the risk</a> of infecting others when infected. The evidence for protecting oneself against infection is less conclusive, mainly because it’s linked to early, consistent and, importantly, the <a href="https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/influenza/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-setting-in-influenza-a-(h1n1)-outbreaks.pdf?sfvrsn=24a45a95_1&download=true">correct use of masks</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/204810/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/magdalena-plebanski-1063786">Magdalena Plebanski</a>, Professor of Immunology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jennifer-boer-1210047">Jennifer Boer</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-louise-flanagan-1066858">Katie Louise Flanagan</a>, Infectious Diseases Specialist and Clinical Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kirsty-wilson-1103649">Kirsty Wilson</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/im-over-65-and-worried-about-the-flu-which-vaccine-should-i-have-204810">original article</a>.

Body

Should I get a flu vaccine this year? Here’s what you need to know

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-griffin-1129798">Paul Griffin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> After having low rates of influenza (flu) transmission in recent years thanks to our COVID control strategies, case numbers are now rising. So far this year, Australia has had <a href="https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/news-data/influenza-statistics/">more than 32,000</a> lab-confirmed cases of the flu and 32 deaths. Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect against getting the flu. These are reformulated each year to protect against the most widely circulating strains – if our predictions are right. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the 2023 flu vaccine. But first, some flu basics. <h2>What are the different types of flu?</h2> There are two main types of influenza: influenza A and influenza B. On the surface of the influenza virus there are two main proteins, the hemagglutinin (HA or H) and neuraminidase (NA or N). Different strains are named after their versions of the H and N proteins, as in H1N1 or “swine flu”. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525044/original/file-20230509-15-c78c12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525044/original/file-20230509-15-c78c12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525044/original/file-20230509-15-c78c12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525044/original/file-20230509-15-c78c12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525044/original/file-20230509-15-c78c12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=498&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525044/original/file-20230509-15-c78c12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=498&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525044/original/file-20230509-15-c78c12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=498&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption>HA is the yellow spike, while the NA is the green oval. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/structure-influenza-virus-infographics-vector-illustration-542924464?src=ixiW0w-59I3I17RpN4L3wQ-1-12">Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> Minor changes in the proteins (HA and NA) on the surface are common because the enzyme the virus uses to make copies of itself is prone to errors. Sometimes the influenza virus can change more abruptly when it mixes up components from different influenza viruses – including influenza viruses that typically infect birds, pigs or bats – to create a virus that’s basically new. The regular change in the virus is the reason the vaccine is updated every year. The <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/about-tga/advisory-bodies-and-committees/australian-influenza-vaccine-committee-aivc">Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee</a> meets late in the year to plan what should be included in the vaccine for the following season, after considering what happened in our last flu season and in the Northern hemisphere winter. <h2>What strains does this year’s flu shot protect against?</h2> Modern flu vaccines typically protect against four strains. For this year’s vaccine, the committee <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/publication/meeting-statements/aivc-recommendations-composition-influenza-vaccines-australia-2023">has recommended</a> it includes: <ul> <li> an A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus </li> <li> an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus </li> <li> a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus </li> <li> a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus. </li> </ul> The naming of the viral components can sometimes be confusing. The name is <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm">derived from</a> the virus type (A or B)/the place it was first isolated/strain number/year isolated (virus subtype). This year’s vaccine therefore includes an influenza A virus similar to the 2009 pandemic-causing H1N1 isolated from Sydney in 2021 and a second influenza A virus (H3N2) isolated in Darwin in 2021. Influenza B viruses are classified into 2 lineages: Victoria and Yamagata. This year’s vaccine includes an influenza B isolated from Austria in 2021 (Victoria lineage) and an influenza B isolated in Phuket in 2013 (Yamagata lineage). <h2>Who should get a flu shot?</h2> Health authorities <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine">recommend</a> everyone aged six months of age or over should get the flu vaccine every year. <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/news/2023-national-immunisation-program-influenza-vaccination-early-advice-for-vaccination-providers">Some groups</a> are at greater risk of significant disease from the flu and can access the flu vaccine for free. This includes: <ul> <li> Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over </li> <li> children aged six months to five years </li> <li> pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy </li> <li> people aged 65 years or over </li> <li> people aged five years to 65 years who have certain underlying health conditions affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys or immune system, and those with diabetes. </li> </ul> <h2>How can I get it?</h2> You can get a flu shot from your local general practice or pharmacy. Or you may have an opportunity to get vaccinated at your workplace if your employer supplies it. While the vaccine is free for those in the <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-02/fighting-flu-starts-with-you-consumer-fact-sheet.pdf">above groups</a>, there can be a consultation or administration fee, depending on where you get your vaccine. If you aren’t eligible for a free vaccine, it usually costs around A$20-$30. <h2>Are there different options?</h2> For over 65s, whose immune systems may not work as well as when they were younger, a <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-03/atagi-advice-on-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-2023.pdf">specific vaccine</a> is available that includes an adjuvant which boosts the immune response. This is free for over-65s under the national immunisation program. A high-dose vaccine is also available for people aged 60 and over. However this isn’t currently funded and costs around $70 on a private prescription. People with egg allergies can safely get the egg-based flu vaccine. However there is also a cell-based immunisation for people who don’t want a vaccine made in eggs. When vaccines are grown in eggs, sometimes the virus can change and this might affect the level of protection. Cell-based vaccines aim to address this issue. The cell-based vaccine isn’t funded so patients will pay around $40 for a private prescription. <h2>How well do they work?</h2> The vaccine’s effectiveness depends on how well the strains in the vaccine match those circulating. It generally <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/aisr-2022-national-influenza-season-summary">reduces</a> the chance of being admitted to hospital with influenza by <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/08/influenza-vaccine-efficacy-effectiveness-and-impact-explained.docx">30-60%</a>. <h2>What are the side effects?</h2> You can’t get the flu from the vaccine as there’s no live virus in it. When people get a flu-like illness after the vaccine, it can be due to mild effects we sometimes see after vaccination, such as headaches, tiredness or some aches and pains. These usually go away <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine#possible-side-effects-of-influenza-vaccination">within a day or two</a>. Alternatively, symptoms after getting a flu shot may be due to another respiratory virus such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that circulates in winter. <h2>When’s the best time to get your flu shot?</h2> The vaccine provides <a href="https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/influenza-flu#vaccine-information">peak protection</a> around three to four months <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine#when-to-get-the-influenza-vaccine">after</a> you get it. The <a href="https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/news-data/influenza-statistics/">peak of the flu season</a> is usually between June and September, however this changes every year and can vary in different parts of the country. Given this, the best time to get the vaccine is usually around late April or early May. So if you haven’t already, now would be a good time to get it.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/203406/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-griffin-1129798">Paul Griffin</a>, Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/should-i-get-a-flu-vaccine-this-year-heres-what-you-need-to-know-203406">original article</a>.

Body

Schumacher’s family suing German magazine over fake interview

Michael Schumacher’s family is preparing to take legal action against German tabloid magazine Die Aktuelle, for publishing an AI-generated “interview” with the star. The publication has been slammed for using Michael’s face on their April 15 front cover, promoting the piece as “the first interview” since the star’s skiing accident in December 2013. “No meagre, nebulous half-sentences from friends. But answers from him! By Michael Schumacher, 54!” read the text in the magazine. “It sounded deceptively real,” they added in the strapline, which was the only indicator that the piece was fake. The “interview” included quotes that insensitively described Schumacher’s recovery, following the accident where he suffered a serious brain injury. “I was so badly injured that I lay for months in a kind of artificial coma, because otherwise my body couldn’t have dealt with it all,” the quote read. “I’ve had a tough time but the hospital team has managed to bring me back to my family,” they added. It was only at the end of the article that the publication revealed that they used Character.ai, an AI chatbot, to create the interview. A spokesperson for Schumachers confirmed their intention to take legal action against Die Aktuelle to Reuters and ESPN. This isn’t the first time Schumacher’s family have taken action against Die Aktuelle. In 2015, Michael’s wife, Corinna Schumacher filed a lawsuit against the magazine after they used Corinna’s picture with the headline: “Corinna Schumacher – a new love makes her happy.” The story was actually about their daughter, Gina, but the lawsuit was dismissed. Image: Getty Images

Legal

"Not guilty": Richard Wilkins addresses fake arrest photos

Richard Wilkins has spoken out about a series of photos that have gone viral online, depicting his apparent arrest. The entertainment report set the record straight while chatting to 2GB's Ben Fordham, saying the photos were fake. "I have never been arrested," Wilkins said. He went on to say he has never been in such trouble with the law, claiming the images were either photoshopped or AI-generated. "I got arrested in London yesterday," Wilkins sarcastically told Fordham, referring to the image which shows him being grabbed by two police officers. "I don't know what to do about it, this has been going on for some time," he continued, noting how he has no idea why or how he's been put at the centre of "all this", with "this" including a false story circulating that he's been charged by the Bank of Australia for giving out incorrect financial advice live on air alongside Karl Stefanovic on Today. "It never happened," Wilkins said of the Bank of Australia scam, noting how the transcript of the false Today segment provided "looks really legit" but the fabricated conversation did not actually occur. "It's complete BS," Wilkins said. "The thought of anyone investing in anything because I was recommending it is quite disturbing, and I'd hate to think that that was happening." He went on to say that his name and face have been used for several months to try and fool people, with both staffers from Facebook and the Nine Network lawyers have been involved for months to resolve the issue, but it's only "getting worse." "It's a pain in the derrière," Wilkins said. Wilkins' discussion with Fordham comes days after his son, Christian Wilkins, denied his father's arrest took place. "For those wondering, yes these posts are fake," Christian wrote on his Instagram Story last week. He joked, "There's no way [Wilkins] would be seen not wearing skinny jeans." Image credits: Facebook

Legal

Royal photographer admits to faking iconic shot

Jason Bell, the photographer responsible for the official family portraits from Prince George’s 2013 christening, has revealed the truth about the shots - and admitted to faking one significant detail. In the documentary Portrait of the Queen, Bell admitted to feeling pressure over getting the shot just right. It was, after all, the first time that four generations of direct heirs had been captured together in over a century - since Queen Victoria’s reign specifically. The iconic picture sees the Queen and her four heirs - Prince Charles (now King Charles), Prince William, and Prince George - gathered around the chair upon which the Queen sits in the Morning Room at Clarence House, with sunlight streaming in around them. The catch? The light wasn’t real. “A christening picture is a happy picture,” Bell explained, “and when I think about happy, I think about - sort of - summer, and sun, and light, and bright. “So I think in a way, that was my first creative decision going into it. I want[ed] it to feel like a beautiful, warm, summer-y afternoon. “Obviously, the problem with that was I was actually doing the shoot in October in London and, you know, I’m a longtime Londoner, and I know that you can’t rely on London weather. “So, what I did was I put big heavy lights around all of the windows and the window behind them outside in the street. And, you know, to get enough light coming through the windows to really feel like a sort of summer afternoon, you know, you need quite a lot of light.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/03/Portrait_of_the_Queen_Sharmill.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> As well as the big creative decisions necessary on the day, Bell had to plan well ahead, and explained how “it’s always important to research around the project and you know, see what people have done before – who goes where. Where does the Queen go? Where does Prince George go? “You’re thinking about the sort of lineage, if you like, and the structure of the picture wants to reflect [that].” Bell also admitted that he drew inspiration from a portrait of Queen Victoria and her heirs in 1894 - in that picture, Queen Victoria was holding her youngest direct heir, who would go on to become King Edward VIII. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CisbmEIu2vP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CisbmEIu2vP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jason Bell (@jasonbellphoto)</a> </div> </blockquote> And with the opportunity may have been daunting, and the stakes for his career high, Bell noted that one detail in particular stood out to him, confessing that he was “quite drawn” to it. “The personal element of it, you know, is the same as it is in any other family,” he said, “and that’s kind of interesting watching, you know, them be[ing] a family together if you like.” Images: @jasonbellphoto / Instagram, Portrait of the Queen / Sharmill

Art

Fran Drescher calls for an end to “bull***t” vaccine mandates

Fran Drescher has divided audiences after using her platform to go on a tirade about bringing an end to “bull***t” vaccine mandates. The former star of The Nanny took to the stage at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday, and used the opportunity to voice her controversial opinions about Covid-19 restrictions. “As the nation declares an end to the Covid emergency this May, I hope we will see everyone return to work in equal opportunity,” Drescher, 65, said in her speech during the telecast, <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/02/27/fran-drescher-calls-for-end-to-vaccine-mandate-in-sag-speech/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=SocialFlow&utm_source=NYPTwitter">Page Six</a> reports. The entertainment industry’s pandemic protocols were originally set to end on January 31st, but have been extended until April 1st. Meanwhile, more than 20 US states still enforce vaccine mandates to varying degrees. “Our industry brings billions of production dollars to states across the nation, but if they want our business, let’s wield our financial influence to make governors act in the best interest of freedom, diversity, inclusion and democracy,” Drescher said. “As my character Bobbi Flekman said in This Is Spinal Tap – money talks and bulls**t walks!” Her divisive comments were met with a mixed reaction online, with many viewers claiming it was “irresponsible” for Drescher to use her platform in such a way. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Fran Drescher’s comments on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CovidVaccine?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CovidVaccine</a> were irresponsible. Using her logic, people wouldn’t be universally vaccinated against diseases like measles and tetanus. Public health is PUBLIC because it takes collective work. — 🇺🇦мег 🇺🇦 (@sassybibrarian) <a href="https://twitter.com/sassybibrarian/status/1630038810095648768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> God I love Fran Drescher, but her speech at the SAG awards could have been an email. — Francis (@Fusterduster) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fusterduster/status/1630022506668249088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Woody Harrelson and now Fran Drescher. Big weekend for anti-vaxxers. — 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 ⁽ʷʰᵒ ⁱˢ ᵍᵃʸ⁾ (@cinema_gay) <a href="https://twitter.com/cinema_gay/status/1630021950293655554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2023</a></blockquote> Elsewhere in her speech, Drescher also discussed her efforts to help make Hollywood more environmentally friendly by joining with Green Council with a goal to eliminate single-use plastic both on camera and behind the scenes. She also applauded IMDb for “taking a stand against ageism, stereotyping and gender rigidity by allowing our members to define themselves their way on their profile page – for free.” Image credits: Getty Images

Body

Six-month-old children to receive COVID-19 vaccine in new recommendations

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has updated its 2023 immunisation schedule for children and individuals under the age of 18. COVID-19 vaccinations were included in the new recommendations for routine children inoculations in the United States, but it remains to be seen whether or not Australia will take the same measure into consideration - one leading infectious diseases physician is doubtful. For children in the United States, the schedule comes only as a recommendation and not as a mandate. The COVID-19 vaccinations will now feature alongside the likes of other common vaccinations for the measles, MMR, mumps, polio, chickenpox, and the flu. It was last year in 2022 that the CDC first recommended COVID-19 vaccination for children of six months and up, but it has only now been formalised. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> US vaccine schedule kids 0-6 years <a href="https://t.co/n3X0vQEGUm">pic.twitter.com/n3X0vQEGUm</a> — Irene Tosetti, MD MBA MPH (@itosettiMD_MBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/itosettiMD_MBA/status/1624741715134357506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2023</a></blockquote> Professor Robert Booy from the University of Sydney’s Infectious Diseases Institute spoke to SBS News about the United State’s approach to their vaccination recommendations, suggesting they may be “a bit gung-ho”. “They're recommending vaccinations even for children who are at mild risk," he said, “they're recommending vaccinations to all children." Professor Booy went on to add that he does not believe Australia will follow in the US’ footsteps, and that the vaccination is unlikely to be recommended for babies here. "We're taking the approach that vaccination is for children who are vulnerable - children who are at high risk and who have multiple medical problems or disability,” he explained. On the subject of Australia’s childhood vaccinations, he stated that the country is “not standing out”, as the United Kingdom is “more conservative” and equally unlikely to adopt the new US recommendations. “We're just doing similar to other countries,” he said. “The US is standing out by being a bit 'gung-ho' in recommending vaccination to all children under five." Dr Deepti Gurdasani, a clinical epidemiologist and statistical geneticist from the United Kingdom, took to Twitter to share her belief that the UK and Australia were unlikely to follow. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The US has added COVID vaccines to their routine childhood immunisation schedule from 6 months onwards. Will other countries follow? Feel little hope that this will happen in the UK or perhaps even Australia. <a href="https://t.co/NvFB8gK2I7">https://t.co/NvFB8gK2I7</a> — Dr. Deepti Gurdasani (@dgurdasani1) <a href="https://twitter.com/dgurdasani1/status/1624758319188692993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2023</a></blockquote> At this stage, Australians aged five and up are recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. However, the vaccinations are still recommended for children from six months to five years who are immunocompromised, have a disability, or have health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. Images: Getty

Caring

Here’s who decides cause of death, how death certificates work – and whether a person died with or of COVID

COVID was Australia’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/aug/08/covid-becomes-australias-third-most-common-cause-of-death-in-2022">third leading cause of death</a> (after heart disease and dementia) in 2022. In a <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/3303.0%7E2017%7EMain%20Features%7EDeaths%20due%20to%20influenza%7E5">bad flu year</a> we have about 1,200 influenza deaths. We had more than <a href="https://covidlive.com.au/">1,500</a> COVID deaths in just the first month of 2023. We need to take COVID seriously. It is not like a cold or the flu. It is an exceptional disease. Because of the availability of vaccines and antivirals, there is no need for panic or further lockdowns. But there is no room for complacency either. The starting point in taking COVID seriously is ensuring policymakers and the public have confidence in the data about who is getting sick and who is dying. Without accurate data, there is no way to track the disease or work out how best to contain it. And a crucial part of this is ensuring people understand how death certificates work and how death data are recorded. <h2>Dying of COVID or with COVID?</h2> A common misconception is that the numbers being reported are people who died with, not of, COVID. Dying of COVID means COVID caused your death. Dying withCOVID means you died from another cause, but just happened to have COVID at the time. While we routinely collect data about both, a COVID death is when you die of COVID. This misconception makes it easy to dismiss COVID deaths on the basis that the numbers being reported are exaggerated. Dismissing the numbers makes people complacent and lets governments off the hook. If we all pretend COVID is just a mild disease, there is no need for governments and individuals to do our bit to minimise its spread. For most people whose vaccinations are up to date, COVID really is a mild disease. But about <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/we-re-all-vulnerable-one-in-10-people-will-end-up-with-long-covid-new-study-says-20230115-p5ccn5.html">one in ten</a> people infected with COVID go on to develop “long COVID” and the number of COVID deaths just keeps increasing as the pandemic drags on. <h2>How the system works</h2> The cause of every death in Australia must be certified by a medical practitioner. If the cause of death is not clear, the death is reported to the state or territory coroner for a coronial investigation. After the cause of death is determined either by a medical practitioner or the coroner, a death certificate is issued and sent to the bureau of births, deaths and marriages in each state or territory. From there, the data are sent to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which is the independent statutory agency responsible for national statistical reporting. <h2>The death certificate</h2> The <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/1205.0.55.001Main%20Features12008?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=1205.0.55.001&issue=2008&num=&view=">death certificate</a> records the immediate cause or the condition that led directly to death. It also records what are called “antecedent causes”. Antecedent causes are the underlying causes. These are the conditions or events that occurred before the immediate cause. All other significant conditions that contributed to the death but were not related to the disease or condition that caused it must also be reported. So how does it work in practice? Imagine a family member dies of respiratory problems after having COVID. In this imaginary case, the direct cause of death is recorded as “acute respiratory distress syndrome”. The acute respiratory distress syndrome was due to pneumonia. In turn, the pneumonia was due to COVID. COVID is recorded as the antecedent cause of death. So the data may be recorded like this: <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/02/med-cert.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The way medical certificates are written is important. They give us quite accurate data on who dies of COVID (where COVID recorded as the direct or the antecedent cause) and who dies with it (COVID recorded as an “other significant condition”). We use both of these pieces of information for different purposes. <h2>Professional judgment</h2> While the cause of a person’s death is usually clear, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes doctors and coroners have to exercise their professional judgement in determining the cause of death. But this is a long way from claims on social media that medical practitioners and coroners are systematically reporting deaths “with COVID” as deaths “of COVID” as a way to exaggerate the COVID death toll. This is simply nonsense. There are often time delays between a person dying and their death certificate being issued. This is particularly the case for deaths referred to the coroner for investigation. In the interim, health departments around the country need data in real time so they can track the pandemic. They compile provisional COVID cause of death data as they go and then progressively update their data as death certificates are finalised. While this causes the numbers to fluctuate a little from week to week, the data used in official statistics are of very high quality. Australian clinical training, standards and documentation are excellent by all international standards. Australia has well developed systems in place for the accurate reporting of the causes of death and illness. These systems should inspire confidence in the numbers and that medical practitioners and coroners are reporting COVID deaths correctly. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-who-decides-cause-of-death-how-death-certificates-work-and-whether-a-person-died-with-or-of-covid-198401" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Caring

Former MP reveals "devastating" Covid vaccine side effects

Former federal MP Dr Kerryn Phelps has revealed both she and her wife have suffered continual health issues after receiving the Covid vaccine, while implying the true rate of adverse effects is higher than reported. In an explosive submission to Parliament’s Long Covid inquiry, the former Australian Medical Association (AMA) president has broken her silence about the "devastating" experience. “This is an issue that I have witnessed first-hand with my wife who suffered a severe neurological reaction to her first Pfizer vaccine within minutes, including burning face and gums, paraesethesiae, and numb hands and feet, while under observation by myself, another doctor and a registered nurse at the time of immunisation,” the 65-year-old said. “I continue to observe the devastating effects a year-and-a-half later with the addition of fatigue and additional neurological symptoms including nerve pains, altered sense of smell, visual disturbance and musculoskeletal inflammation. The diagnosis and causation has been confirmed by several specialists who have told me that they have seen ‘a lot’ of patients in a similar situation.” “Jackie [Kerryn's wife] asked me to include her story to raise awareness for others,” she said. “We did a lot of homework before having the vaccine, particularly about choice of vaccine at the time. In asking about adverse side effects, we were told that ‘the worst thing that could happen would be anaphylaxis’ and that severe reactions such as myocarditis and pericarditis were ‘rare’.” Dr Phelps revealed she was also diagnosed with a <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/federal-budget/covid-vaccine-injury-payouts-explode-to-77-million-budget-reveals/news-story/df39fcf430c6cadb487a9914df7a3422" target="_self" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="df39fcf430c6cadb487a9914df7a3422" data-tgev-label="finance" data-tgev-metric="ev">vaccine injury</a> from her second dose of Pfizer in July 2021, “with the diagnosis and causation confirmed by specialist colleagues”. Dr Phelps said both reactions were reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) “but never followed up”. She revealed she had spoken with other doctors “who have themselves experienced a serious and persistent adverse event” but that “vaccine injury is a subject that few in the medical profession have wanted to talk about”. “Regulators of the medical profession have censored public discussion about adverse events following immunisation, with threats to doctors not to make any public statements about anything that ‘might undermine the government’s vaccine rollout’ or risk suspension or loss of their registration,” she said. “There has been a delay in recognition of vaccine injury, partly because of under-reporting, concerns about vaccine hesitancy in the context of managing a global pandemic, and needing to find the balance between risks and benefits on a population level.” According to the TGA’s most recent <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/news/covid-19-vaccine-safety-reports/covid-19-vaccine-safety-report-15-12-2022" target="_self">safety update</a>, there have been a total of 137,141 adverse event reports from nearly 64.4 million doses — a rate of 0.2 per cent. There have been 819 reports “assessed as likely to be myocarditis” from 49.8 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna. Fourteen deaths have officially been linked to vaccination — 13 after AstraZeneca and one after Pfizer. Image credits: Getty Images

News

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

“Is that Snoop Dog?!”: Man caught with fake passenger in carpool lane

AstraZeneca admits to Covid vaccine's deadly side effect

Outrage after grandma beaten at home by fake officers

There are new flu vaccines on offer for 2024. Should I get one? What do I need to know?

Dad awarded compensation after developing heart issue from mandatory vaccine

Millions of high-risk Australians aren’t getting vaccinated. A policy reset could save lives

What are the new COVID booster vaccines? Can I get one? Do they work? Are they safe?

Top End tourism surge after massive search for fake Aussie town

Woman dies after being accused by doctors of faking symptoms

“Done with the vaccine”: Karl Stefanovic blasts fifth booster

Man fakes own death to teach his family a tough life lesson

I’m over 65 and worried about the flu. Which vaccine should I have?

Should I get a flu vaccine this year? Here’s what you need to know

Schumacher’s family suing German magazine over fake interview

"Not guilty": Richard Wilkins addresses fake arrest photos

Royal photographer admits to faking iconic shot

Fran Drescher calls for an end to “bull***t” vaccine mandates

Six-month-old children to receive COVID-19 vaccine in new recommendations

Here’s who decides cause of death, how death certificates work – and whether a person died with or of COVID

Former MP reveals "devastating" Covid vaccine side effects

Our Partners

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

“Is that Snoop Dog?!”: Man caught with fake passenger in carpool lane

AstraZeneca admits to Covid vaccine's deadly side effect

Outrage after grandma beaten at home by fake officers

There are new flu vaccines on offer for 2024. Should I get one? What do I need to know?

Dad awarded compensation after developing heart issue from mandatory vaccine

Millions of high-risk Australians aren’t getting vaccinated. A policy reset could save lives

What are the new COVID booster vaccines? Can I get one? Do they work? Are they safe?

Top End tourism surge after massive search for fake Aussie town

Woman dies after being accused by doctors of faking symptoms

“Done with the vaccine”: Karl Stefanovic blasts fifth booster

Man fakes own death to teach his family a tough life lesson

I’m over 65 and worried about the flu. Which vaccine should I have?

Should I get a flu vaccine this year? Here’s what you need to know

Schumacher’s family suing German magazine over fake interview

"Not guilty": Richard Wilkins addresses fake arrest photos

Royal photographer admits to faking iconic shot

Fran Drescher calls for an end to “bull***t” vaccine mandates

Six-month-old children to receive COVID-19 vaccine in new recommendations

Here’s who decides cause of death, how death certificates work – and whether a person died with or of COVID

Former MP reveals "devastating" Covid vaccine side effects

Our Partners

Join Over60