What's in the mRNA vaccines and what makes us vaccine hesitant?

Well, that’s our last episode for now. It’s been quite a ride!! 

We set out to communicate all facts and no bullshit when it comes to COVID, and I think we did just that. 

We had an absolute blast bringing together Australia’s leading scientists and Doctors along with Australia’s funniest comedians. We learnt while we laughed. 

We were absolutely overwhelmed and humbled by the positive response of our experts and comedians giving graciously of their time – thank you so much!

We'd also like to thank their agents and managers who to time out of their busy days to help make this happen.

The world in which we live is so noisy when it comes to information and misinformation. Knowing who to trust and understanding how it might affect you or your loved ones is more important than ever! I hope we helped you sort out some of the facts from the fiction. This was a passion project of myself and comedy Producer Ged Wood and it has been an absolute pleasure to climb this steep learning curve with him! We also must give heartfelt thanks to Socials Manager Brigette Duckworth, Booking Agent Nikki Hamilton, and audio producer Andy Maher, and our funders WEHI, The Burnet Institute and the Peter Doherty Institute. And finally, thank you. Thanks for listening, sharing and supporting this podcast. At our peak, we hit the Apple Australia Charts! Top 3 for Medicine and Top 45 in all health and Fitness. That couldn’t have happened without you. Stay safe, be happy and see you on the other side of this pandemic! Bye for now.

Dr Shalin Naik is joined by Nobel Prize winning Professor Peter Doherty, Luke McGregor and Dave Thornton.

What did Nobel Laureate Peter Doherty win his Nobel Prize for?
Were there any perks to winning it?
How did his discovery change the study of the immune system?
What do we know about Omicron?
Will our current vaccines work against it?
Will it jump the immune barrier?
What happens when we run out of Greek letters?
What does Dan Murphy's have to do with Peter's Twitter followers?
Why does Peter try to correct the record on vaccine misinformation?
Is he in the pocket of Pfizer, or a puppet of an authoritarian system?
Why so such vaccines come from big companies like Pfizer and Astra Zeneca?
Can one be anti-authoritarian and pro-vaccine?

Dr Shalin Naik is joined by comedians Chopper and Dane Simpson, and scientist Prof Sharon Lewin, Virologist and Director of the Doherty Institute.

- Did COVID come from Pangolins?
- What role did bat poo (guano) have?
- Is this the first infection from animals i.e. a zoonoses?
- Do these new drugs molnupirivir and paxlovid work?
- What about antibody therapy like made by Regeneron used on Donald Trump?
- Do we still need the vaccine with these new drugs on the market?
- Why do drugs have such difficult names?
- What is the evidence Ivermectin works?
- Are Joe Rogan and Seth Rogan brothers?
- Is COVID worse than the flu?
- Should we still have the big family get togethers at Christmas?
- How do we deal with our Druncle and vaccine hesitAunty?
- What are ways the Indigenous and Aboriginal communities are working together?
- Should our vaccinated grandparents mix with unvaccinated children and adults?
- Will we see something like COVID again?

Dr Shalin Naik is joined by comedians Dave O'Neil and Meshel Laurie along with scientist Prof. Brendan Crabb and Dr Margie Danchin to discuss questions around how to manage COVID in our kids, and the steps to take as Australia opens up.

- Are kids getting sick from COVID?
- Which age groups have vaccines available to them?
- Are there any side effects of the vaccines in kids?
- How are schools opening up safely? 3Vs: Vaccinate, ventilate, vital COVIDsafe steps
- Will the vaccines become 3 doses as standard?
- When can we pack out the pubs again?
- Will we need a yearly booster, and will COVID stick around for ever?
- Is rapid antigen testing available and when should we use it?

Dr Shalin Naik is joined by comedians Merrick Watts and Mandy Nolan along with scientists Prof. Nicole La Gruta and Prof. Julie Leask to discuss questions around vaccines and COVID.

- What's in the mRNA vaccines and does it mutate my DNA?
- What can we expect if our kids get COVID?
- Are vaccines causing COVID to mutate?
- What causes COVID to mutate?
- How does this new drug Molnupirivir work?
- What types of vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal are there?
- How do we talk with friends and family who are hesitant or anti-vaxxers?
- Israel was the poster child for the vaccine but now has lots of cases. Does that mean the vaccines don't work?
- How should we think about the risks of vaccine side effects?
- Are places like Byron Bay equipped to handle lots of ICU cases?

Comedians Nazeem Hussain and Cal Wilson  along with Doctor Kate Gregorevic and Professor of Immunology Sammy Bedoui discuss questions around vaccines and COVID. 

· How is Delta different, and how bad is it?
· Are the vaccines still in trial phase?
· Do we know if there will be long term side affects?
· Can’t my natural immunity fight the virus?
· Will herd immunity protect me?
· Do I still need to wash my hands?
· What do cows have to do with vaccination?

Welcome to The Jab Gab. We’ve made this podcast for the 20% of you who haven’t had their first shot. Maybe you just haven’t found the time. Maybe you’re angry... confused... or scared. I’ve seen those facebook posts - they’re pretty convincing. But are they really true? Has the vaccine been rushed out? Do we really know all the side effects? What about swollen balls after getting the jab? I don’t want them! Is COVD really that bad? 

In this series we are going to look at the cold hard facts.  My name is Dr Shalin Naik from WEHI in Melbourne. I’ve been an immunologist for 24 years and have also hosted a couple of TV documentaries. But it’s not just me. We’re going to get internationally renowned scientists and doctors to talk about the vaccines, your immune system and COVID. All facts, no bullshit. AND we’re also going to get comedians!! Cause why not? It doesn’t have to be serious all the time? 

 So do you yourself a favour. Subscribe to this podcast so be the first to hear the latest info. Take a listen, share the episodes, and hopefully you or your friends and family get the information you’ve been looking for. There’s strictly no judgment in this podcast. Just information, you make your own mind up.  I hope you enjoy.