Time to remain vigilant

QUEENSLANDERS must not take a “let it rip” attitude to Covid-19 as vaccination and natural infection does not automatically build up immunity, a top national epidemiologist has warned.

“People are getting reinfected with the virus and research is showing that reinfections can be dangerous and are more likely to cause long health problems and even death. The vaccines were built on the original virus and we have had many strains since then. We know immunity wanes,” Professor Raina Macintyre, a professor of global biosecurity at UNSW, said.

“We see that immunity can be lost even after the second or third dose. Vaccines can help prevent people from ending up in hospital but they won’t stop the spread. That can only be done with strict public health measures like mask mandates. Vaccines alone will not save us,” the professor said.

The expert said that national modelling released earlier this year was correct — the same data that Health Minister Yvette D’ath said failed to predict a third wave.

“The modelling was correct but it was based on certain health measures being kept in place. The modelling was based on the country continuing with vital PCR testing and contact tracing. Both of those things have pretty much disappeared,” Prof Macintyre said.

The academic said that the ball was dropped by governments once vaccination rates were reached.

“After that it was just leadership with blind optimism,” she said. “Governments must take the lead and show they are prepared to make strong decisions.”