Tom Minear: PM’s shift on AstraZeneca should have been clearer
The PM’s vaccine rollout move didn’t change the medical advice on AstraZeneca — not that you would know it listening to some politicians and medical chiefs.
Opinion
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When the expert immunisation panel recommended Pfizer for Australians under 60, it did not ban them from AstraZeneca.
In fact, it said they could choose AstraZeneca if they “made an informed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits”.
This week, Scott Morrison seized on that advice, creating an indemnity to give GPs the confidence to have those conversations with younger adults wanting to be vaccinated.
The PM’s announcement of this shift should have been clearer, and made in consultation with doctors.
But his decision did not change the medical advice — not that you would know it listening to some politicians and medical chiefs.
Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young caused the most confusion, telling people under 40 not to get AstraZeneca because she did not want an 18-year-old dying from a clot.
As AMA vice president Chris Moy retorted, what if that 18-year-old listened to Young and died from Covid-19? Or passed the virus to a relative who died? Or became a superspreader?
“Doctors should not be imposing their view about risks on others,” he said.
It’s up to all Australians to talk to their doctor, read the advice and make their own decision. It’s up to politicians and bureaucrats to get out of their way.
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