Queensland premier caught out in anti-vax AstraZeneca lies about UK

Annastacia Palaszczuk claimed that under-40s in the UK weren’t allowed Astra-Zeneca. This Aussie living in London proved her wrong.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has been caught out telling whoppers about the Astra-Zeneca jab, as Queensland health authorities come under increasing criticism for undermining efforts to vaccinate the nation against Covid-19.

On Wednesday the Queensland premier attacked moves to open up Astra-Zeneca supplies to anyone over 18, so long as they consulted with their GP about the incredibly tiny risk of blood clots that go along with the jab.

London resident Matthew Lesh proudly displays his Astra-Zeneca vaccination card. (Source: Twitter)

“The guidelines we’re following from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Australian Medical Association are clear,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Even the UK Government won’t allow their under-40s to get the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

However this was news to under-40s living in Britain, where in fact as in NSW, they are also allowed access to the Astra-Zeneca vaccine in consultation with their doctor.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s claim that the UK Government ‘won’t allow’ under 40s from getting the AstraZeneca vaccine is simply untrue,” said Australian Matthew Lesh, currently living in London.

“I’m in the United Kingdom, under 40, and opted to get the AZ vaccine. I’ve now received two doses thanks to the UK’s world-leading vaccination programs.”

“Just like in NSW and Victoria, it should be able to citizens to make an informed choice about what risk they are willing to accept, and take the view that it’s not worth waiting for a safe and effective vaccine.”

Mr Lesh’s comments were echoed by Dr Chris Moy, vice president of the Australian Medical Association.

The Wimbledon crowd gives a standing ovation to the University of Oxford Professor Sarah Gilbert (seated in red, bottom right) one of the people behind the Astra Zeneca vaccine. Picture: Getty Images

“We are still talking about a very good vaccine and the risk of the clotting is very low, and should circumstances change – say the Delta strain gets out of control … then we may not be in a non-Covid environment,” Dr Moy told Radio National Thursday.

“(Young people) are going, we’ve been put through hell, our lives have been turned upside down to protect (older Australians), but you guys are not wanting to get vaccinated,” says Dr Chris Moy, Vice President of the AMA.

“They’re willing to take on the risk.”

Meanwhile, as Australians debate the safety of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, in Britain the jab’s co-creator Dame Sarah Gilbert received a standing ovation from the crowd at Wimbledon, where she was invited to sit in the Royal Box.