The Australian government has updated advice on the rollout of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after confirming a link between the jab and rare blood clots.
NEW ASTRAZENECA RECOMMENDATIONS
Subscribe for FREE to the HealthTimes magazine
* The use of the Pfizer vaccine is preferred over AstraZeneca in Australian adults under 50 who have not already received their first AstraZeneca dose
* Australian immunisation providers should only give a first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to adults under 50 where the benefit clearly outweighs the risk
* Australians who have had their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine without any serious adverse events can safely be given their second dose, including those under 50
FEATURED JOBS
St Vincent's Private Hospital
Yorke And Northern Local Health Network, SA Health
* Australians who have had blood clots associated with low platelet levels after their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should not be given a second dose
* Australia's Department of Health further develop and refine resources for informed consent that clearly convey the AstraZeneca vaccine's benefits and the risks
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT AUSTRALIA'S COVID-19 VACCINATION ROLLOUT?
* Rollout plan will be recalibrated and re-evaluated
* End of October timeline for every Australian to receive first vaccine dose in doubt
* Phase 1b - which includes younger adults with a medical condition or disability and frontline health workers among others - may be delayed
* Pfizer vaccine will be reprioritised for under 50s once phase 1a finishes
* Australia's vaccine purchases under review
HOW OFTEN DO ASTRAZENECA-LINKED BLOOD CLOTS OCCUR?
* Four to six cases per million AstraZeneca vaccine doses
* One known Australian case found in a 44-year-old man admitted to hospital in Melbourne
* 25 per cent death rate in known cases
* More common among younger people
* Cause unknown