While scientists are yet to come through with a proven coronavirus vaccine, it hasn't stopped governments around the world signing up for some of the most promising candidates.

The Australian Government is reportedly in "advanced negotiations" with a range of different companies and close to a deal that would allow production in Australia.

But what happens if the deals are for vaccines that end up not working? And is Australia at risk of missing out?

On today's show:

* Will Australia have access to a vaccine if/when it is discovered?

* What happens to production of vaccines if they are shown not to work?

* Can the outbreak in New Zealand be traced back to hotel quarantine? What about Victoria?

* How's the are of the virus coming in via cold storage looking?

As the coronavirus outbreak in New Zealand continues to grow, theories are circulating about how the virus snuck back into the country.

While the most likely explanation is it came in via a human, there are a few other suggestions.

One is that it never left and has been circulating silently for months, though health authorities say that this is unlikely.

Another is that it slipped back into the country on imported cold meats.

So how likely is it?

On today's show:

* Are the numbers in Victoria getting better? Are health workers still a concern?

* How did coronavirus make it back into New Zealand?

* Has SARS-CoV-2 mutated so that it's now more contagious?

And Norman and Tegan discuss a fascinating pre-print study about a fishing trip where nearly everyone on board got infected, except three people. What could that mean for vaccine development?

As the coronavirus outbreak in New Zealand continues to grow, theories are circulating about how the virus snuck back into the country.

While the most likely explanation is it came in via a human, there are a few other suggestions.

One is that it never left and has been circulating silently for months, though health authorities say that this is unlikely.

Another is that it slipped back into the country on imported cold meats.

So how likely is it?

On today's show:

* Are the numbers in Victoria getting better? Are health workers still a concern?

* How did coronavirus make it back into New Zealand?

* Has SARS-CoV-2 mutated so that it's now more contagious?

And Norman and Tegan discuss a fascinating pre-print study about a fishing trip where nearly everyone on board got infected, except three people. What could that mean for vaccine development?

The number of coronavirus cases in New Zealand has continued to grow, as health authorities desperately try to track down and stop the outbreak.

Prior to the coronavirus being found in the community, New Zealand had more than 100 days of zero community transmission.

But as they've just found out, keeping it that way seems impossible.

So if the virus is going to make it into your community eventually, what's the point of trying to eliminate spread?

On today's show:

* Victoria's numbers are falling nicely now. Is zero cases still something to aim for?

* New Zealand's cases of community transmission are on the rise again. What does it teach us about trying to eliminate the COVID-19 virus?

* We've had a lot of questions about a possible treatment for COVID-19, with a mix of the drugs ivermectin and doxycycline (also zinc). Why are some people suggesting it should be studied?

It's also time for another Quick Fire Friday!

The number of coronavirus cases in New Zealand has continued to grow, as health authorities desperately try to track down and stop the outbreak.

Prior to the coronavirus being found in the community, New Zealand had more than 100 days of zero community transmission.

But as they've just found out, keeping it that way seems impossible.

So if the virus is going to make it into your community eventually, what's the point of trying to eliminate spread?

On today's show:

* Victoria's numbers are falling nicely now. Is zero cases still something to aim for?

* New Zealand's cases of community transmission are on the rise again. What does it teach us about trying to eliminate the COVID-19 virus?

* We've had a lot of questions about a possible treatment for COVID-19, with a mix of the drugs ivermectin and doxycycline (also zinc). Why are some people suggesting it should be studied?

It's also time for another Quick Fire Friday!

The number of coronavirus cases in New Zealand has continued to grow, as health authorities desperately try to track down and stop the outbreak.

Prior to the coronavirus being found in the community, New Zealand had more than 100 days of zero community transmission.

But as they've just found out, keeping it that way seems impossible.

So if the virus is going to make it into your community eventually, what's the point of trying to eliminate spread?

On today's show:

* Victoria's numbers are falling nicely now. Is zero cases still something to aim for?

* New Zealand's cases of community transmission are on the rise again. What does it teach us about trying to eliminate the COVID-19 virus?

* We've had a lot of questions about a possible treatment for COVID-19, with a mix of the drugs ivermectin and doxycycline (also zinc). Why are some people suggesting it should be studied?

It's also time for another Quick Fire Friday!

Russia's announcement that its new coronavirus vaccine has been approved and is ready to be rolled out has been attacked by vaccine experts, describing it as reckless.

No reliable evidence has so far been released to show that it is effective.

And more dangerously, no large scale safety trial has been completed.

So what now for the Russian coronavirus vaccine? And what could it mean for the rest of the world's efforts?

On today's show:

* Could Russia's vaccine actually be effective?

* If it is effective, what is the problem then?

* What are coronavirus vaccines actually attempting to do? Stop the infection or just stop the disease?

* Victoria's numbers are up again. What's the latest?

* And what on earth is happening in New Zealand?

Russia's announcement that its new coronavirus vaccine has been approved and is ready to be rolled out has been attacked by vaccine experts, describing it as reckless.

No reliable evidence has so far been released to show that it is effective.

And more dangerously, no large scale safety trial has been completed.

So what now for the Russian coronavirus vaccine? And what could it mean for the rest of the world's efforts?

On today's show:

* Could Russia's vaccine actually be effective?

* If it is effective, what is the problem then?

* What are coronavirus vaccines actually attempting to do? Stop the infection or just stop the disease?

* Victoria's numbers are up again. What's the latest?

* And what on earth is happening in New Zealand?

The stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne has been successful so far in pushing down the number of cases in metro areas, but regional Victoria risks being left behind.

While the number of cases in regional areas are far smaller, centres like Bendigo and Geelong are struggling to get things under control.

So is there a possibility that Melbourne will get on top of things but regional Victoria will still have problems?

On today's show:

* Are cases increasing in regional Victoria and what could happen if they don't start falling?

* Do some regional areas need stronger restrictions?

* On healthcare workers, how do we stop them getting sick?

* What about negative pressure rooms in hospitals?

* In NSW, clusters seem to be getting bigger, especially around schools. Weren't they supposed to be lower risk?

* Should NSW go into tighter lockdown?

* Everyone is making sock masks. Aren't they going to be too leaky?

The stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne has been successful so far in pushing down the number of cases in metro areas, but regional Victoria risks being left behind.

While the number of cases in regional areas are far smaller, centres like Bendigo and Geelong are struggling to get things under control.

So is there a possibility that Melbourne will get on top of things but regional Victoria will still have problems?

On today's show:

* Are cases increasing in regional Victoria and what could happen if they don’t start falling?

* Do some regional areas need stronger restrictions?

* On healthcare workers, how do we stop them getting sick?

* What about negative pressure rooms in hospitals?

* In NSW, clusters seem to be getting bigger, especially around schools. Weren’t they supposed to be lower risk?

* Should NSW go into tighter lockdown?

* Everyone is making sock masks. Aren’t they going to be too leaky?