State leaders hit out at vaccine rollout changes allowing AstraZeneca for under 40s

Changes to the vaccine rollout had one state leader sensationally declare she didn’t want any young people in her state to get the AstraZeneca jab at all.

Changes to the vaccine rollout allowing people under 40 to get the AstraZeneca jab have split the country’s leaders with some accused of “scaremongering” and taking away patients’ choice.

The bitter spat played out across multiple state health press conferences on Wednesday, with Queensland’s chief medical officer Jeanette Young sensationally declaring she did not want any young people in her state to get the AstraZeneca vaccine at all, arguing 18-year-olds would die.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW Health would not administer the AstraZeneca vaccine to under 40s, with people in that age group who want the jab told to speak with their GP instead.

At odds: Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“If you are under 40, and don’t have access, obviously to either the Pfizer (vaccine) or the AstraZeneca (vaccine) through the NSW Health System, you should go and have a conversation with your GP,” she said.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley also criticised Mr Morrison for what he called “a rushed decision,” while WA Premier Mark McGowan also questioned the move.

Despite the divisions, many young people have rushed to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, with more than 2,300 people under 40 rolling up their sleeves for the jab on Tuesday.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners NSW/ACT chair Charlotte Hespe said Dr Young’s language was “emotive and unhelpful”.

“My role as a doctor is to try and enable people to know what their personal risks are,” she said.

“You don’t want to get caught in the crossfire between the political nuances, rather than the health nuances.”

Dr Hespe said she was concerned GPs were expected to keep up with sudden changes to the rollout with very little communication or notice.

“I think it’s been very disrespectful and difficult to role out (the vaccine) and continue to keep our patients informed.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Monday those under 40 would be able to access the AstraZeneca vaccine after consulting with a GP about the risk of rare blood clots.

Australia has recorded 64 cases, including two deaths, out of more than four million doses administered so far.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said people under 40 can choose to get AstraZeneca but should only do so in consultation with their GP.

“In a mass vaccination clinic the detailed risk discussions cannot take place, and they are the best discussions to have with your general practitioner,” Dr Chant said.

Former deputy chief health officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said the “critical ethical principle of autonomy” was “at stake”.

“Adults should be allowed to consent to an intervention with a 3 in 100,000 risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome and less than 1 in 1,000,000 of death.”