Monday, October 11 is rapidly approaching and after it was announced Wednesday (October 6) that NSW hit the 70 per cent double vaccinated target, COVID restrictions are set to ease across the regions.
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However, the only way that we can really enjoy the next month in the sun is to make sure we are all vaccinated, says Hunter New England Population Health public health physician, Dr David Durrheim.
"We all need two doses of vaccine. That's the only way that we are going to get on top of COVID-19 when restrictions are progressively lifted.
"But very importantly, the vaccine although very effective in two doses, is much less effective in a single dose," Dr Durrheim said.
A single dose of the vaccines that we have available in Australia provides only about 30 per cent of protection against the Delta strain.
- Dr David Durrheim, Hunter New England Health physician
On Thursday, October 7 NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet announced changes to the COVID re-opening roadmap including changes to capacity limits, masks and indoor pool openings.
"We can expect case numbers to keep going up, and particularly as we hear about living with the virus and relaxation of public health measures, case numbers will go up."
Dr Durrheim said living with the virus during summer meant getting tested immediately for any cold or flu symptoms.
"If you get symptoms at this time of the year, it's likely to be coronavirus," he said.
"A single dose of the vaccines that we have available in Australia provides only about 30 per cent of protection against the Delta strain," Dr Durrheim said.
"We need two doses of the vaccine to be robustly protected and really two weeks after the second dose before we can stare the virus in the eye," Dr Durrheim said.
We need two doses of the vaccine to be robustly protected and really two weeks after the second dose before we can stare the virus in the eye.
- Dr Durrheim
"When it comes to COVID-19, we don't like records," Dr Durrheim said, referring to Hunter New England Health hitting a record high of cases this week..
"The Delta strain of the COVID-19 causes severe illness in young children and in young people."
Double vaccination is crucial as we learn to live with the virus in the coming weeks, Dr Durrheim said.
"I for one would not want to be anywhere near the virus if I was not fully vaccinated," he said.
"Our immune systems respond beautifully to the vaccine, and that is our best measure against COVID once it begins to start spreading through the community."
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