Blood clots spark overhaul of AstraZeneca vaccine rollout

Tom McIlroyCanberra Bureau Chief

Updated Apr 8, 2021 – 8.42pm, first published at 6.31pm

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Key Points

The government will recommend the AstraZeneca vaccine only for people aged over 50 after concerns about a rare blood clotting syndrome.
Younger Australians will be advised to take the Pfizer vaccine but can still have the AstraZeneca shot if required.
The risk of blood clots after having the AstraZeneca vaccine is about four in 1 million and the vaccine is still considered safe.

The Morrison government has been forced to overhaul Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, after experts said the AstraZeneca drug was not advisable for people younger than 50 because of fears of blood clots.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced changes to the vaccine rollout on Thursday night after European health authorities warned of the risk of rare but serious side effects from the drug which is the centrepiece of Australia’s vaccination effort.

Tom McIlroy is the Financial Review’s Canberra bureau chief based in the press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously the AFR’s political correspondent.