NSW COVID-19: Aussies over 50 told ‘you can die’ from COVID-19 if you delay vaccination

Australians over 50 have been urged to book an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination without a delay, as new expert advice confirms people with a history of blood clots are not more at risk from the jab.

Australians over the age of 50 have been urged not wait to book in an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination because they are still at higher risk of dying from the virus.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said his message to everyone currently eligible to receive a vaccine was “very simple,” encouraging people not to delay.

“Do not wait to be vaccinated,” he said.

“If you are in a qualifying group, if you’re in the over 50s, please come forward now.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt has urged all Australians over 50 to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

There have been more than 3.59 million vaccine doses administered in Australia so far, including about 48 per cent of people over the age of 70 having at least one dose, but Mr Hunt said he wanted to drive that “as high as possible”.

“Vaccination can save lives and protect lives,” he said.

“If you aren‘t vaccinated, and you do catch COVID, you can die. It’s as simple as that.”

Mr Hunt said this position had been reaffirmed in new advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) released on Sunday, including critical new information about the risk of very rare blood clots known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Every Australian aged over 50 can get the vaccine from a state-run clinic or GP. Picture: Nick Moir - Pool/Getty Images

ATAGI has advised people with a history of blood clots either directly or in their family, as well as people with a history of ischaemic heart disease or stroke, low platelet count and those on anti-blood clot medication were not more likely to get TTS from the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Medical experts have also found the risk of a blood clot, which was already about one per 100,000 adults, was “much lower” with the second dose of vaccine.

“UK data suggest that the risk of TTS is much lower with a second dose, with 15 cases reported to date out of nine million second doses of COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca given,” ATAGI said in a statement.

“This translates into an estimated rate of 1.7 case per million doses.”

Sydney-siders line-up at the new COVID-19 Vaccination Centre at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

In the statement ATAGI said people “of any age” who have had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca “without any serious adverse events” can receive the second dose.

Following the advice Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has written to all Australian GPs taking part in the vaccine rollout asking them to ensure any of their patients over 50 are encouraged to get the AstraZeneca jab “as soon as possible”.

“We are rapidly approaching the winter months and I am acutely aware from our own experience last year and from observations internationally about the effects of COVID-19 during winter,” he said.

“Any delays in vaccination during this period, has the potential for serious consequences on the health of all individuals, but particularly for those at risk of severe COVID.”

Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has written to GPs asking them to encourage patients over 50 to get the vaccine. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Prof Kelly said ATAGI had determined the benefit for those who are aged 50 years and older “favours vaccination” with the AstraZeneca jab, when compared to the risk of rare blood clotting.

“As of 20 May, the TGA has determined that there have been 21 confirmed and four probable cases of TTS in Australia and including, tragically, one person who has died,” Prof Kelly said.

“However, it is important to highlight that due to better awareness, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the outcome and prognosis of the majority of those who have experienced this syndrome is good.

“Pleasingly, 22 patients have already recovered and have been discharged from hospital.”

Originally published as NSW COVID-19: Aussies over 50 told ‘you can die’ from COVID-19 if you delay vaccination