COVID vaccines: where the bloody hell are we?
New AstraZeneca advice puts a spanner in the works, so what are our alternatives?
Australia’s vaccine rollout program is now being overhauled due to new recommendations regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Based on the advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Federal Government has recommended that people under 50 preferentially receive the Pfizer vaccine over AstraZeneca. This follows similar decisions made by regulators in Germany, Norway, Canada, the UK and other countries where the vaccine is being administered.
The recommendation comes after reports of serious side effects of blood clotting disorders, mostly associated with younger people.
Australia will fast-track two other coronavirus vaccines and order more of each amid recommendations to use other options than AstraZeneca for people under 50.
Officials admit the move could hinder the already delayed rollout, with the opposition blasting the government for not ordering more varied vaccine options.
Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said Australia s two other vaccines, Pfizer and Novavax, are being fast-tracked and more could be ordered.
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Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said Australia would likely expedite its orders of the Pfizer and Novavax vaccines.(Nine)
Pfizer is already approved and being used, while there are 51 million Novavax doses on the way - though it still needs to be given the green light by Australian regulators.
Queensland Woman Dies Hours After Receiving Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
on April 09 2021 1:36 PM The successful rollout of vaccines in the United States has lifted hopes the world s top economy can begin to reopen and get back on track AFP / Raul ARBOLEDA
An 82-year-old woman has died just hours after receiving her COVID-19 vaccine in a Queensland aged care home.
The unidentified woman, a resident at the Yurana aged facility in Springwood, received a shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine around 10 a.m. Wednesday, News.com.au reported. By 1:30 p.m., the woman was found lifeless and unresponsive. Emergency services were then called to assist.
Implications of AstraZeneca advice changes to be discussed at National Cabinet09/04/2021|2min
Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly says the implications of the changes to the advice surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine on the national rollout will be discussed at National Cabinet today.
“We need to really look at the logistics, we set all of our plans on a particular path in relation to the availability, particularly that ramped up availability of locally manufactured CSL produced AstraZeneca vaccine,” he said.
“That now can’t be used or is preferred not to be used in that under 50 age group so that will affect how we roll out that vaccine”.