GPs refuse to give AstraZeneca vaccines to under 60s until indemnity scheme comes in

GPs are refusing to give Covid shots to people aged under 60 because the no fault indemnity scheme over blood clots has not been delivered.

GPs are refusing to give Covid shots to people aged under 60 because the no fault indemnity scheme that would protect them if a person developed a blood clot has not been delivered.

It’s seven weeks since Prime Minster Scott Morrison pledged to introduce the scheme after a National Cabinet meeting in June and the government is still working on the detail.

The delay means GP’s are reluctant to offer AstraZeneca shots to the under 60’s because it goes against the advice of the government’s expert independent vaccine advisory body the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

And it’s proving to be another major hitch in speeding up the vaccine rollout as outbreaks around the country gather pace.

Melbourne GP and former Australian Medical Association president Dr Mukesh Haikerwal whose vaccination hub is at the epicentre of the Melbourne outbreak said he would like to give the AstraZeneca jab to the under 60’s but can’t.

“I’ll have to sell the house when some very clever barrister puts me before the court and says: “Why did you give this person AstraZeneca doctor and ATAGI said you shouldn’t do it?” he said.

Students wearing face masks wait in a queue to receive their first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in Sydney. Picture: AFP

Royal Australian General Practitioners president President Dr Karen Price said her group wants a no-fault vaccine injury compensation scheme not only for the COVID-19 vaccines, but all vaccines listed on the National Immunisation Program schedule.

“This common sense move would enhance confidence in vaccinations, increase vaccine uptake and provide greater protection for the entire community,” she said.

“The college awaits advice from the Federal Government on the development and implementation of the no-fault indemnity scheme announced on 28 June this year. Given several changes to vaccine eligibility and a need to rapidly boost vaccine confidence and uptake, getting additional detail on the scheme is becoming increasingly urgent.”

Even though no legislation to set up the scheme has been introduced to Parliament the government is insisting the indemnity scheme exists.

“The Australian Government has confirmed that the COVID-19 Vaccine Claim Scheme takes effect from the start of the rollout in February 2021, a spokesperson for Health Minister Greg Hunt said.

“We are currently working with peak medical groups on the final detail,” the spokesperson said.

NEWSPOLL: MOST AUSSIES KEEN TO GET VACCINATED

Only 11 per cent of Australians say they would straight up refuse to get vaccinated, which suggests the nation will be able to meet the Morrison government’s target of 70 per cent vaccine coverage by December if supply continues at the same level.

According to the Australian, the results of a special Newspoll corresponds with the announcement of a significant boost for the national cabinet’s four phase plan to reopen the country, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration on Monday ticking off on the use of Moderna vaccines alongside the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the approval would add 10 million doses to the vaccine load between September and December, helping to move Australia closer to achieving between 70 and 80 per cent vaccine coverage by Christmas.

“This means we have an additional 25 million doses of Moderna to add to the 125 million Pfizer doses and 53 million AstraZeneca doses we have already started rolling out,” Mr Morrison said.

“This is another important tool that we have in our battle against Covid. We’ll have it in our hands and we’ll have the jabs in our arms starting from next month. This is our plan to ensure that we get Australia to where we need to get to this year.”

The Newspoll also showed that vaccine hesitancy has dropped dramatically since the start of the year when 25 per cent of the population said they either planned to not get vaccinated or hadn’t made up their mind.

Scott Morrison aims to have 70 per cent of the population vaccinated by December. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The survey also revealed that the federal and state governments would have to persuade more Australians to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, with about one-third of unvaccinated people saying they would rather wait for Pfizer.

Of those planning to get vaccinated, only seven per cent said they were happy to get ­either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer jabs whereas 33 per cent said they would prefer to wait for Pfizer.

Three per cent of adult Australians reported they had not yet made up their minds about getting vaccinated.

As restrictions continue in NSW, more than 1.6 million regional Victorians will be released from lockdown today after the regions failed to record any cases since the clampdown on Thursday night.

Students arrive to get vaccinated in Sydney. Picture: AFP

Mr Morrison said Australia was “going through one of the toughest parts of this Covid pandemic” and he understood that people were frustrated.

“I know they’re sick of it. I know they’re angry,” he said. “What we have to do now is recognise the reality of the challenge we have in front of us. None of us likes it … But there are no short cuts here.”

“We have to not let any voices of negativity overwhelm our optimism for the future, and we have to push through. We have achieved what few countries have. We can’t throw it away now because of any impatience.”

Originally published as GPs refuse to give AstraZeneca vaccines to under 60s until indemnity scheme comes in