The Project’s Peter Helliar leaves co-hosts in stitches as he discusses anal swab coronavirus tests

‘Are there any plans for it in Australia?’ The Project’s Peter Helliar leaves his co-hosts in stitches as he discusses China’s new anal swab coronavirus tests

The Project’s Peter Helliar didn’t hold back when he appeared on the Channel Ten show on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old host was interviewing Dr Paul Griffin, who is an expert in infectious diseases, about the coronavirus vaccine.

Peter left his co-stars in stitches and completely gobsmacked when he asked about the new anal swab available in China.

‘Are there any plans for it in Australia?’ The Project’s Peter Helliar (pictured) left his co-hosts in stitches as he discussed China’s new anal swab coronavirus tests on Wednesday

While discussing the vaccine, he asked: ‘Can I hug the person who gives me the vaccine? Can I hug somebody when I get home? Or do I need to wait for the finals in September before I start hugging strangers?’

‘The simple answer there is it takes a few weeks to generate immunity,’ Dr Griffin said.

‘We don’t yet know how much they block transmission, so it’s probably better to avoid any interpersonal contact except with first-degree relatives, if you can.’  

Interview: The 45-year-old host was interviewing Dr Paul Griffin (pictured), who is an expert in infectious diseases, about the coronavirus vaccine when he asked about China's anal swab

Interview: The 45-year-old host was interviewing Dr Paul Griffin (pictured), who is an expert in infectious diseases, about the coronavirus vaccine when he asked about China’s anal swab

‘I had another question, but I might wrap it up there,’ Peter then said, prompting Dr Griffin to say: ‘I was interested in your other question.’

The Project host then discussed the anal swab coronavirus tests and asked whether they would be made available in Australia.

‘OK, doc. A fresh outbreak today in Beijing. I’m sure you’re across it. They’ve decided that anal swabs are the best way to do the testing now,’ he said.

'A fresh outbreak today in Beijing. I'm sure you're across it. They've decided that anal swabs are the best way to do the testing now... Are there any plans for anal swabbing to become a bigger thing in Australia?' Peter asked. Pictured Carrie Bickmore

‘A fresh outbreak today in Beijing. I’m sure you’re across it. They’ve decided that anal swabs are the best way to do the testing now… Are there any plans for anal swabbing to become a bigger thing in Australia?’ Peter asked. Pictured Carrie Bickmore

‘Obviously it makes the drive-through testing a bit harder, I would imagine. Are there any plans for anal swabbing to become a bigger thing in Australia? If so, do we have to change the way we test? Do we all go a through a Liquorland or something? How does it work?’

Dr Griffin explained: ‘We know our testing in Australia has been a huge part of our success.’ 

‘One of the concerns we have about those swabs when we do those nose swabs is we can induce a sneeze or a cough reflex.’

‘Certainly if we went to those other types of swabs, there are similar reflexes there that, in close proximity to someone’s face, might be a problem,’ he joked, while the show’s hosts burst into laughter.

Dr Griffin joked: 'One of the concerns we have about those swabs when we do those nose swabs is we can induce a sneeze or a cough reflex. Certainly if we went to those other types of swabs, there are similar reflexes there that in close proximity to someone's face, might be a problem'

Dr Griffin joked: ‘One of the concerns we have about those swabs when we do those nose swabs is we can induce a sneeze or a cough reflex. Certainly if we went to those other types of swabs, there are similar reflexes there that in close proximity to someone’s face, might be a problem’