COVID can suddenly strike from an unexpected source. It almost entered the heart of our family as a result of the party at Blacksmiths Beach, which was attended by irresponsible infected people from Sydney.
A party-goer then spread the virus to a basketball stadium, where my unvaccinated grandson was refereeing a match. Fortunately his test came back negative.
The numerous Tierney family are at various stages of protecting themselves from COVID. We are a microcosm of Australian society and reflect the current uptake of vaccines. My advice to my family has been to get vaccinated as quickly as possible with AstraZeneca (AZ), the only one with a reliable local supply.
To even have highly effective vaccines available within 18 months of the outbreak of the new COVID-19 disease,is a tribute to the miracle of modern medical research. A vaccine for polio in 1956 took 20 years to develop - too late for me by 10 years.
Imagine where the world would be now if we were still waiting for a COVID vaccine? So it is unfortunate that some irresponsible senior health officials have created public confusion this year, with conflicting and changing advice that turns out to be wrong.
Recent Spanish research compared the efficacy of both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. The health outcomes were similar in the tested population of one and a half million people.
The gold standard advice on vaccine safety is from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration. Their advice hasn't changed all year - AZ is safe for people over 18.
With the initial lockdowns in Victoria and now in NSW doing enormous personal, social and economic damage, one consistent message is, at last, coming from all governments - get the AZ jab ASAP.
However, during the current vaccine "stroll out", only 34.4 per cent of Australians were fully vaccinated on August 31. NSW first jabs are up to 66.8 per cent, with isolated Queensland and WA being the laggards.
The Prime Minister has set Christmas as the target to reach vaccination herd immunity of between 70 per cent and 80 per cent. So, at this point, we have been promised family gatherings, an opening of the economy, and a return to normal life.
Scott Morrison says: "Australia must adjust its mindset to living with the virus, or we will remain in the cave forever. So this groundhog day has to end". This is achievable only with a widespread take-up of the AZ vaccine, developed by Oxford University and made by Australia's CSL.
Holding out for Pfizer could be unwise because it relies on the Europeans to further deliver millions of doses to Australia. Unfortunately this may not happen until much later this year, next year, or not at all.
Other countries, especially in Europe and the developing world, have a far greater need, with tragically high infection rates and deaths still overwhelming many nations.
The TV images from India, for example, have been heart-wrenching. Scarce supplies earmarked for Australia may be reallocated to higher priority nations. If you are waiting for Pfizer, there are no guarantees.
With the deadlier Delta strand increasing the incidence of COVID in the young, Australian policy may evolve to a situation where the scarcer Pfizer supplies are reserved for those between 12 and 18, and the rest offered AZ.
The future is also looking grim for those who may choose not to vaccinate. They may, ironically, end up being the most restricted when Australia emerges from the COVID pandemic nightmare.
Already there is a major crackdown to enforce compliance with public health orders. Expect this to increase, with the military now helping police to ensure the unvaccinated rule-breakers don't further spread the virus.
People refusing the vaccine will increasingly be a danger to public health. Australia's chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, says: "COVID is now a pandemic of the unvaccinated."
To further contain this emerging threat, the Australian government is focusing on a vaccine passport. For example, in our e-wallets, we will be required to carry an electronic passport that can return the fully vaccinated to a normal life, increasing freedom of movement in Australia and eventually overseas.
The unvaccinated will be stuck in the past. The key statistic out of the US and Europe is that 95 per cent of all COVID deaths are people who are unvaccinated by choice. They will increasingly face restrictions on where they go and what they can do.
This may include everything from hair appointments to entertainment venue entry. Perhaps even access to their workplace could be barred.
Ironically, this will include the "freedom fighters" who have been trying to hold public protests about the way governments are curtailing their liberties.
For this group, restrictions may get a lot worse, unless of course they get the jab.
