No Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for Australia as sector calls for compensation scheme brisbanetimes.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from brisbanetimes.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Scott Morrison s plan to open Australia for international travel by October has been thrown into doubt amid fears millions still won t be vaccinated by then.
The government previously predicted overseas travel would be widespread by October which was when everyone was expected to have received the jab.
But the recommendation that under 50s should have the Pfizer vaccine due to a very low risk of blood clots caused by the AstraZeneca jab is expected to push back the timeline.
Scott Morrison s plan to open Australia for international travel by October has been thrown into doubt Pictured: Commuters walk outside Melbourne s Flinders Street Station wearing masks
After AstraZeneca concerns, how can Australia reclaim public confidence in the vaccine rollout?
Posted 1
updated Yesterday at 1:56am
SatSaturday 10
Professor Julie Leask says we have an opportunity to reset the conversation on vaccines.
(
Share
Print text only
Cancel
Health authorities concede the decision to offer people under 50 an alternative vaccine to the AstraZeneca shot will impact confidence in the vaccine rollout.
But leading vaccine experts say changes to the vaccine rollout could be an opportunity to boost confidence and ensure Australians have the information they need to make an informed choice.
This week, concerns around vaccine acceptance were amplified after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the AstraZeneca vaccine the mainstay of the country s vaccination program would no longer be recommended to people under 50 due to a very rare, but very serious, form of blood clots.
So, why has the Australian Government changed its recommendations?
Unlike Europe and the UK, where COVID-19 remains widespread throughout the community, Australia has no community transmission.
While the need to complete our vaccine program is still an urgent one (both from a health and economic point of view), Prof. Murphy explained that it s precisely
because Australia is in such a fortunate position that we can afford to take such highly precautionary measures.
The stakes simply aren t as high as countries still battling thousands of new diagnoses daily.
How will the change affect Australia s vaccine rollout?
First, a quick recap. Australia will be relying on three vaccines for its COVID-19 vaccination program:
AstraZeneca vaccine revised following unforeseen side effects08/04/2021|8min
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced new advice will be provided to Australians under the age of 50 regarding the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine following unforeseen side effects.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has met to consider medical evidence regarding side effects mostly associated with younger people from the vaccine. As always, we will encourage Australians to seek out the advice of their own doctor in relation to these issues, the prime minister said.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly reiterated the potential for blood clots - as evidenced in cases around the world - is a very rare event.