RECENT CONCERNS REGARDING COVID-19 VACCINE ASTRAZENECA
FAQs
What are the concerns regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine?
There is evidence of a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and an extremely rare blood clotting syndrome, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS).
What is the new ATAGI advice and how does it change eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Australian Technical Advisory group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has reviewed their advice on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. They recommend that Pfizer as the preferred vaccine for people aged under 60 years.
This doesn’t change who is currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine but it means the Pfizer is now the preferred vaccine for people under 60.
Why have they changed the advice on who should receive the AstraZeneca vaccine?
ATAGI have been meeting every week to review their advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine. Monitoring how vaccines are working in the community is a very important part of ensuring they are safe and effective, and are doing what they say they will.
The recommendation ATAGI have made is based on new evidence that has emerged that demonstrates a higher risk of TTS in the 50-59 year old age group than initially thought.
The benefits of the vaccine still vastly outweigh any risk for people aged 60 and over.
What if I have had a dose of AstraZeneca and I am worried about side effects?
If you have recently had your first vaccine dose and are experiencing any side effects that you are worried about, book an appointment to discuss with your usual doctor.
If have already had one dose of AstraZeneca, should I have a different vaccine for my second dose?
No this isn’t necessary. If you have already had one dose of AstraZeneca and you did not experience severe side effects, there is no reason you cannot receive a second dose of AstraZeneca.
The rare blood clotting condition, TTS, is rarer still in second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and the chances of severe side effects when mixing vaccine doses is higher than any risk.
It is important that every person who receives a COVID-19 vaccine receive the full two-dose course.
I am aged 50 to 59 years old and I have an appointment to receive my first AstraZeneca vaccine at my GP. Do I need to change my booking?
If you are aged 50 to 59 years and you have an appointment to receive your first dose of AstraZeneca, it is recommended you discuss your options with your health professional.
You can reschedule your appointment at a Pfizer vaccination site. Effective immediately, the 21 Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics currently providing the Pfizer vaccines will open eligibility to people aged 50-59 years.
From 5 July, 1,300 general practices around the country and additional Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics will progressively begin delivering Pfizer vaccinations.
You can use the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker to find your closest Pfizer location.
Is the AstraZeneca vaccine still safe for people aged 60 years and over?
Yes. ATAGI continues to recommend AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged 60 years and over.
The incidence of TTS is much lower in people aged 60 years and over. In addition people aged 60 and over are much more likely to become seriously unwell if they catch COVID-19.
Are there any serious safety risks associated with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca?
Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines have been studied in tens of thousands of people in clinical trials. They are both very effective at preventing severe disease and hospitalisation.
Most side effects of both vaccines are mild and transient. They include reactions at the injection site and some systemic reactions, like headaches, fever, chills and fatigue. These are common in the first 48 hours after vaccination.
TTS is a rare newly described condition that has been reported following administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, almost exclusively after the first dose.
There has not been a higher overall rate of relatively common types of blood clots (including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) reported after COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccination.
Why don’t people over 60 get to choose the vaccine they want?
The AstraZeneca vaccine is highly effective at preventing death and severe illness among people who have contracted COVID-19 – and the incidence of TTS is very rare.
ATAGI consider that the individual benefit-to-risk balance of vaccination with COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca in Australia varies with age. The risk of ongoing health issues and death from COVID-19 is highest in older age groups. By comparison, the rate, and thus possibility of disability and death from TTS may be higher in younger people. This age-specific benefit-to-risk balance is demonstrated in analysis from the UK.
The most effective way for eligible people aged 60 years and over to protect themselves from the effects of COVID-19 is to be vaccinated.
This latest advice from ATAGI means demand for the Pfizer vaccine is going to rise considerably. Do we have to source additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine and are you confident supply can keep up with demand?
Australia has secured enough supply of Pfizer vaccines to act on the new advice from ATAGI.
Effective immediately, the 21 Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics currently providing the Pfizer vaccines will open eligibility to people aged 50-59 years. From 5 July, 1,300 general practices and additional Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics will progressively begin delivering Pfizer vaccinations.
This expansion in Pfizer sites was planned to coincide with our highest expected arrival of Pfizer doses so far. During July we expect to receive 2.8 million doses and we will see significant increases in the availability of Pfizer and our first arrivals of Moderna from September/October.
This means all Australians will still be able to receive a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year, should they choose to.
I am having difficulties making a vaccine appointment – what should I do?
Use the online COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker to find a vaccination clinic and book an appointment.
If an appointment is not available right away, new clinics and appointments are being added regularly, so you can wait a few days and check again.
Who is ATAGI?
ATAGI is an independent group of medical experts who gives advice to the Minister for Health on all matters regarding immunisation, particularly who will be prioritised first to receive a COVID-19 Vaccines.
Which general practices are moving to administering Pfizer first?
The Australian Government asked general practices already participating in the COVID-19 vaccine program who would be interested in administering the Pfizer vaccine. While it is anticipated all participating general practices will be able to administer Pfizer later in the year, 1,300 initial general practices will be invited to start earlier, in July.
Primary Health Networks and State and Territory Governments were asked to prioritise practices for a July start based on geographic need. This included considering current vaccination rates in each area, the State/Territory’s current and planned rollout or Pfizer, and the location of Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services.