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The Vaccine - Episode Guide

Season 1

Episode 1

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Feb 12, 2021

Episode 1

Jeremy Fernandez is joined by experts including Dr Norman Swan, Casey Briggs and Sophie Scott to bring you everything you need to know about the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and to answer your questions.

Episode 2

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Feb 19, 2021

Episode 2

Australia readies for our vaccine rollout starting Monday. New data shows global infections are falling as inoculation programs gather pace. Jeremy Fernandez speaks with AMA boss Dr Omar Khorshid and Dr Norman Swan.

Episode 3

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Feb 26, 2021

Episode 3

Bungles mar the first week of Australia's vaccine rollout. Find out all the details on The Vaccine - Presented by Jeremy Fernandez with special guests Kate Cole and Sophie Scott.

Episode 4

Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Mar 5, 2021

Episode 4

The first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine administered to health workers in regional South Australia as Italy blocks the export of 250,000 doses bound for Australia. Plus what's being done to combat vaccine misinformation.

Episode 5

Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Mar 12, 2021

Episode 5

The first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine administered to health workers in regional South Australia as Italy blocks the export of 250,000 doses bound for Australia. Plus what's being done to combat vaccine misinformation.

Episode 6

Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Mar 19, 2021

Episode 6

Around 6 million people eligible for the jab in phase 1B of the vaccination program from Monday, but many GP clinics say they were caught off-guard by the announcement and haven't yet received an allocation of the injections.

Episode 7

Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Mar 26, 2021

Episode 7

Australia's latest run of no COVID in the community has come to an end after one case of locally acquired transmission was confirmed in Brisbane. We cross to India for the latest on what's being described as a potential new mutant strain of the virus and we get Dr Norman Swan's take. Plus how phase 1-B of the vaccination program has gone it its first week.

Episode 8

Episode: 1x08 | Airdate: Apr 9, 2021

Episode 8

Australia secures an additional 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine after the government was compelled to overhaul its COVID-19 vaccination plan. The move was in response to updated health advice about possible links between the AstraZeneca jab and extremely rare blood clots.

Episode 9

Episode: 1x09 | Airdate: Apr 16, 2021

Episode 9

Casey Briggs brings you the latest on Australia's COVID vaccination rollout with 40 million doses on the way for Under 50s as investigations continue into whether incredibly rare blood clots are linked to AstraZeneca jab.

Episode 10

Episode: 1x10 | Airdate: Apr 23, 2021

Episode 10

Perth heading into a 3-day lockdown as authorities try to stop the potential spread of COVID. Plus we speak to an ICU doctor in Delhi as COVID-19 wreaks havoc in India, with infection rates soaring to more than 300,000 a day.

Episode 11

Episode: 1x11 | Airdate: Apr 30, 2021

Episode 11

We take a closer look at what has become the centre of the COVID crisis. In the past 24 hours more than 386,000 new cases have been reported in India and there are fears the actual numbers are far higher. Jeremy Fernandez is joined by an Indian Australian woman stranded in India and desperate to return home and by the founder of the community news outlet India Link, plus we cross to our ABC reporter in Delhi.

Episode 12

Episode: 1x12 | Airdate: May 7, 2021

Episode 12

The latest wave of the pandemic is striking India with unprecedented brutality as COVID infections and deaths reach frightening records. We cross to Delhi as pressure mounts on the govt. The crisis is now spreading to Nepal.

Episode 13

Episode: 1x13 | Airdate: May 14, 2021

Episode 13

The impact of the COVID pandemic on the 2021 Olympic Games and how it has disrupted preparations. Plus we talk to a stranded Australian who has tested positive for the virus and been kicked off the repatriation flight home.

Episode 14

Episode: 1x14 | Airdate: May 21, 2021

Episode 14

Our troubled vaccine rollout is struggling to overcome rising vaccine hesitancy with people worried about potential side effects. There's also a lack of urgency with so few outbreaks of community transmission. We examine the numbers, plus talk to Dr Norman Swan about the government's mixed messaging.

Episode 15

Episode: 1x15 | Airdate: May 28, 2021

Episode 15

Casey Briggs brings you the latest on Melbourne's COVID outbreak and Victoria's 7 day lockdown. Plus we examine the theory the pandemic leaked from a Wuhan laboratory and talk with the Australian doctor who investigated it.

Episode 16

Episode: 1x16 | Airdate: Jun 4, 2021

Episode 16

Casey Briggs brings you the latest on Victoria's fourth lockdown, speaking with Dr Norman Swan, Richard Willingham and guests about the impact on Victorians, efforts to control the virus and a ramp up of the vaccine rollout.

Episode 17

Episode: 1x17 | Airdate: Jun 11, 2021

Episode 17

Jeremy Fernandez looks at whether confusion around vaccine eligibility as well as concerns over blood clots are preventing Australians from getting vaccinated. Could incentives encourage more people to get the jab?

Episode 18

Episode: 1x18 | Airdate: Jun 18, 2021

Episode 18

Sophie Scott takes a look at the latest advice surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine after the country's expert health group recommended Pfizer become the preferred vaccine for anyone under 60.

Episode 19

Episode: 1x19 | Airdate: Jun 25, 2021

Episode 19

An outbreak has led to a partial lockdown in Sydney and border closures across the country. We take a look at the latest restrictions with Dr Norman Swan and experts explain the dangerous Delta strain responsible for this cluster. Presented by Jeremy Fernandez.

Episode 20

Episode: 1x20 | Airdate: Jul 2, 2021

Episode 20

National Cabinet agrees to a plan to transition out of the pandemic and a return to 'normal life'. We discuss what this looks like with The Saturday Paper's Chief Political Correspondent, Karen Middleton. Plus Jeremy Fernandez talks with Melbourne GP Dr Mukesh Haikerwal about the confusing advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Episode 21

Episode: 1x21 | Airdate: Jul 9, 2021

Episode 21

The NSW government tightens lockdown restrictions as it continues to grapple with the COVID outbreak in Sydney. We take a look at whether children in Australia will be vaccinated against the virus. Plus Jeremy Fernandez speaks with the Medical Director of the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, Dr Lorraine Anderson, about the vaccine uptake within Indigenous communities.

Episode 22

Episode: 1x22 | Airdate: Jul 16, 2021

Episode 22

As Sydney's COVID outbreak spreads across the border, we take a look at what authorities are doing to try to quash the growing case numbers. Plus are you safe once you're vaccinated?

Episode 23

Episode: 1x23 | Airdate: Jul 23, 2021

Episode 23

The NSW government has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency as case numbers continue to grow. Jeremy Fernandez speaks with Dr Norman Swan about what this means for the state's lockdown plus the vaccine rollout.

Episode 24

Episode: 1x24 | Airdate: Jul 30, 2021

Episode 24

As case numbers continue to grow, we look at how the outbreak is spreading across Sydney. Plus the impact of Long COVID and we hear from an Australian still feeling the effects of the virus 14 months after becoming infected.

Episode 25

Episode: 1x25 | Airdate: Aug 6, 2021

Episode 25

Can our hospitals cope with the COVID-19 surge? NSW records its highest number of daily cases as Victoria and Queensland remain in precarious positions. Jeremy Fernandez speaks with Dr Mark Nicholls about ICU capacity.

Episode 26

Episode: 1x26 | Airdate: Aug 13, 2021

Episode 26

There are concerns for some vulnerable communities as COVID spreads to regional NSW. Jeremy Fernandez speaks with psychologist Dr Zena Burgess and Lifeline Chair John Brogden about the mental health pressures of the virus.

Episode 27

Episode: 1x27 | Airdate: Aug 20, 2021

Episode 27

Case numbers in NSW continue to reach record numbers with warnings of worse to come. Jeremy Fernandez speaks to public health expert Julie Leask about the transparency of health advice. Plus when will children be vaccinated?

Episode 28

Episode: 1x28 | Airdate: Aug 27, 2021

Episode 28

As health authorities in NSW, Victoria and the ACT continue to grapple with rising COVID cases, there's some good news with record numbers getting vaccinated. How a future booster program might work plus the situation in NZ.

Episode 29

Episode: 1x29 | Airdate: Sep 3, 2021

Episode 29

Jeremy Fernandez speaks with Paediatric Infectious Diseases physician Philip Britton about the effects COVID has on children and when our youngest might get vaccinated. Plus we examine the advice for pregnant women.

Episode 30

Episode: 1x30 | Airdate: Sep 17, 2021 (30 min)

Episode 30

COVID cases in Melbourne and Sydney continue to climb as vaccine milestones are reached. Dr Norman Swan discusses the latest numbers and what it means for plans to open up. Plus vaccine efficacy against Delta and new strains.

Episode 31

Episode: 1x31 | Airdate: Sep 24, 2021

Episode 31

A new milestone reached with more than half of Australians 16+ fully vaccinated. Isolation and loneliness is leading to more mental health issues for older people. Plus should we be concerned about new variants out of Africa?

Episode 32

Episode: 1x32 | Airdate: Oct 1, 2021

Episode 32

What does Gladys Berejiklian's resignation mean for NSW's pandemic planning? We examine the reasons behind a surge of COVID cases in Victoria. Plus how will Australians cope once government disaster payments are wound back?

Episode 33

Episode: 1x33 | Airdate: Oct 8, 2021

Episode 33

Are schools ready to return to face-to-face learning? Some NSW students will be back in the classrooms sooner than planned - what it means for students and teachers. Plus Jeremy Fernandez looks at the experiences in the US.

Episode 34

Episode: 1x34 | Airdate: Oct 15, 2021

Episode 34

What's the cost of coming out of lockdown? Victoria and the ACT are about to enjoy new freedoms and NSW is set to ease restrictions further. Jeremy Fernandez speaks with economist Nicki Hutley and epidemiologist Tony Blakely.

Episode 35

Episode: 1x35 | Airdate: Oct 22, 2021

Episode 35

As COVID restrictions ease and Australia looks towards re-opening borders, what impact will that have on Indigenous communities? Vaccination rates among First Nations people are significantly lower than the national average. Jeremy Fernandez and Bridget Brennan look at how vaccine access, hesitancy and mistrust have impacted the rollout.

Episode 36

Episode: 1x36 | Airdate: Oct 29, 2021

Episode 36

What can Australia learn from other countries which have opened up? Jeremy Fernandez speaks with public health and infectious diseases experts from Britain and Singapore to hear how those nations are dealing with an increased COVID caseload. Plus Norman Swan joins us to discuss the challenges ahead for Australia.

Episode 37

Episode: 1x37 | Airdate: Nov 5, 2021

Episode 37

Five million people have died from COVID worldwide. We look at what we've learned so far. Jeremy Fernandez speaks with virologist Edward Holmes and public health expert Julie Leask. Plus WA's roadmap to reopen its borders.

Episode 38

Episode: 1x38 | Airdate: Nov 12, 2021

Episode 38

What does travel look like going forward? We look at what to expect and what you need to consider before you head off. Plus with more international visitors to Australia, how will that impact the number of COVID cases here.

Episode 39

Episode: 1x39 | Airdate: Nov 19, 2021

Episode 39

The Northern Territory's first case of COVID-19 community transmission, with concerns for the indigenous population in Katherine. Plus how are European countries coping with an increase in COVID cases heading into winter?

Episode 40

Episode: 1x40 | Airdate: Nov 26, 2021

Episode 40

More than four million Australians live with a disability, so have the needs of this large portion of the population been met during the pandemic? ABC Disability Affairs reporter Nas Campanella joins Jeremy Fernandez to examine the challenges encountered by people with disabilities during the vaccine rollout. We hear about the significant limitations, as well as the surprising benefits, of lockdowns.

Episode 41

Episode: 1x41 | Airdate: Dec 3, 2021

Episode 41

There are concerns Omicron has been transmitted in the community as more cases are detected. How worried should we be about the latest variant? Norman Swan explains what measures are being taken. Presented by Casey Briggs.

Episode 42

Episode: 1x42 | Airdate: Dec 10, 2021

Episode 42

Australian children aged 5 to 11 will be able to be vaccinated from early 2022. A paediatric immunisation expert answers some questions parents are asking. Plus how has coronavirus impacted the Australian and global economy?

Episode 43

Episode: 1x43 | Airdate: Dec 17, 2021

Episode 43

How will our hospital system cope with an increase in COVID cases? Jeremy Fernandez asks the experts how prepared doctors are for a potential surge and what does the scientific community know so far about the Omicron variant?

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