What's That Rash?

As more states open their borders in coming months, more COVID than ever will be circulating through the community. Vaccines will help protect many of us, but for vulnerable people - like the elderly or immunocompromised - additional protections may be needed.So if you have someone close that is more vulnerable to severe disease from a COVID-19 infection, what are some of the things you can do to help reduce the risk?Also on today's show:* 2nd generation vaccines vs natural immunity* Will my pets need to be vaccinated too? * Are there/will there be any plant based COVID vaccines? * A study on fertility and the AstraZeneca vaccine (no problems found)

As more and more of the country is vaccinated, state and territory governments are starting to outline which restrictions we will lose when we reach very high levels of coverage.Over the weekend, Victoria revealed that when it reaches 90 per cent double dose in a month there will be no density caps, and masks will only be mandatory at certain high-risk settings.But how do we know when is the right time to lift restrictions and what can we learn from countries that have been this way before?Also on today's show:* Surgical masks give me "mascne" so I was going to invest in some 100 per cent silk reusable masks that are less likely to cause breakouts. They have a cotton interior but do you think they'd be effective enough against Delta? * When a zero-COVID state opens up with hopefully high vaccination rates, will it be more vulnerable because there is no natural immunity in the community from infections?

There's been all sorts of vaccination targets bandied about over the last year: 70 per cent, 80 per cent, 16+ eligibility, 12+ eligibility. It never seems to end.But what if - and this might not make you happy because it seems almost impossible at the moment - the real target should be 95 per cent?It's been done overseas: in Portugal and Iceland. So what would it take to do it here and what benefits do you get?Also on today's show:* Vaccine mandates are coming * When will we have a vaccine approved for children under 12yrs?* Where's Novavax?* Where's Ollie? Wally? What?

Greater Melbourne will finally come out of lockdown a minute before the strike of midnight tonight, which will be a huge relief to millions of people.But the city comes out of lockdown with high daily caseloads - with the rolling five day average being around 1850.When NSW came out of lockdown, its daily caseload was much lower - and has remained low and is showing no signs of increasing again.So can we expect cases to fall in Melbourne? Rise? Level off? And does reopening with a large caseload in a highly vaccinated population even matter?Also on today's show:* Australia hits 70 per cent double-dosed* Norman wants to see some quokkas* What is the difference going to be for Victoria opening up with so many more cases than NSW? * Can you get COVID-19 three times?

When the various states and territories report their daily vaccination rates as a mix of single and double doses, should they perhaps also be adding in third doses?The COVID-19 vaccines in Australia are currently limited to two doses, but so far only immunocompromised people have been approved to get a third shot.So should that be extended to older people and perhaps healthcare workers who got their vaccine in March or April?On today's Coronacast, all your questions about the third dose including waning protection from Astra and Pfizer, timing and when to count it all from.Also: thank you to all our listeners - especially those who've listened to all 400 episodes of Coronacast. You are champions!

Until now, a lot of the worry about COVID-19 in Australia has been about how zero-COVID states will rejoin NSW, Victoria and the ACT.Well yesterday, Queensland put its plan forward saying that December 17, 2021 is the date its borders will be broadly reopened once again to other states, including hotspots.So with vaccination rates in Queensland lagging, will this be the push some need to go and get the jab?And what might it mean for other zero-COVID states?Also on today's show:* Third doses and Norman's mea culpa* Southern Tasmania comes out of lockdown* Your ideas to boost vaccination rates

Victoria's lockdown will end this Thursday night, when the state expects to reach its first vaccine goal of 70 per cent double vaccinated.Reasons to leave the home and the curfew will be lifted, which will be a huge relief to the people of Melbourne which have suffered through many long lockdowns.But it's not as if the pandemic will end this week: many working in the hospital system are in for a rough time as the state opens up.Also on today's show* Mixing and matching boosters* NSW hits 80 per cent. What comes next?* The new drug Ronapreve. What is it?

The arrival of the Delta variant really was a massive curveball that few experts saw coming.It ripped through populations overseas and quickly punched holes in Fortress Australia.It especially challenged our public health response with its incredible infectiousness and has taken hold in NSW, Victoria and ACT.But how did Delta come into existence in the first place? And as more and more of us are vaccinated, what might come next as the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve?On today's Coronacast, a very special guest explains all.GUEST:* University of Sydney evolutionary biologist Professor Eddie Holmes

It's sometimes easy to forget that the COVID-19 pandemic affects more than just physical health. It also taken a massive toll on mental health.And according to some new research, the two pandemic factors that lead to the worst mental health outcomes are rising case numbers and lockdowns.Globally, the most affected groups are young people and women, and poorer countries in particular have seen higher mental health burdens.Also on today's show:* Why do some people get sicker from COVID than others?* You seem confident we will get booster shots but I heard Dr Paul Kelly sat last week that there is evidence to suggest not - that the vaccine may even last a lifetime? Did I hear incorrectly?* I live in a rural community and regularly drive past the sewerage works. The smell is often very noticeable. Is there a risk of virus carrying aerosol droplets leading to catching COVID?

A lot of the discussion about COVID lately has been on the big outbreaks in NSW, Victoria and the ACT, and less about states that don't have current outbreaks.But as states like WA, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory start to plan their border reopenings, it also means COVID will eventually find its way in.So what can the smaller and still COVID free states expect in coming months? Will cases skyrocket in a highly vaccinated population? And will people there have to get used to restrictions that currently don't apply?Also on today's show:* What does full vaccination mean for getting (or not getting) long COVID?* We keep hearing the risk for under 12s is very low. Could you please clarify the best understanding of the hospitalisation, death, and long COVID risk for children under 12s?