The Project guest reveals ‘dirty truth’ about Australia’s vaccination nightmare

Australia’s vaccination rollout is in absolute chaos – and one doctor says there’s a “dirty truth” those getting the jab need to consider.

It’s been a chaotic and confusing few days for those trying to follow Australia’s public health advice.

Earlier this week those under 40 were told they could finally access the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine by Prime Minister Scott Morrison – who was then angrily refuted by several state Premiers and Chief Health Officers, who insist the very rare clotting issues with the vaccine mean the risk is too great for young people.

The Project discussed the issue with Dr Vyom Sharma during Wednesday night’s program, with the GP and Covid commentator describing the current situation as an “absolute nightmare,” while also pointing out a “dirty truth” about the AstraZeneca vaccine that young people need to consider.

If you want AstraZeneca, you should not delay, Dr Sharma argued, otherwise you may as well wait for the “millions of stocks” of Pfizer due to arrive later in the year, when he predicts AstraZeneca will be less widely used.

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Sharma (right) said young Australians need to weight up the risks and benefits of AstraZeneca.

Host Waleed Aly asked Dr Sharma what exactly young Australians should now be weighing up, given the conflicting health advice of the past few days.

“They’re not just choosing between AstraZeneca and Pfizer – they’re choosing between getting AstraZeneca now or getting Pfizer three to six months from now,” Dr Sharma explained.

“You have to consider the benefits and the risks of both: Get your first AstraZeneca shot now and pretty soon you start to accrue the benefits of preventing severe disease from Covid-19. After a second shot, you stop the risks of spreading it to other people. The risk of course is this very rare, special type of clotting – we think that number is somewhere from 1 in 50,000 to tops, 1 in 25,000 people.

“If you get Pfizer, we haven’t seen those clotting issues, but you’ll have to wait three to six months to get it. In the meantime, you have to weigh up what happens if we have uncontrolled (Covid) outbreaks, because that changes the risk profile.”

Lisa Wilkinson: “The mess that’s left behind … who is actually right?”

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Lisa Wilkinson described the messaging around the vaccine as “confusing”: “Originally we were told AstraZeneca was fine for over 50s, then for over 60s, now for anyone who’s willing – but only if you listen to the Prime Minister and not to the Queensland government. The mess that is left behind … who is actually right here?” she asked.

“It’s total chaos,” Dr Sharma said. “It’s an absolute nightmare. The vaccine’s a godsend, but the comms around this are just terrible.”

He said as a GP, the group he’s listening to are the immunisation experts, ATAGI (the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation).

“Their simple truth is that Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for those under 60 – that doesn’t mean you can’t have AstraZeneca. You can have it if the benefits outweigh the risks, and secondly if you give informed consent. How do you do those two things? Speak to your GP.”

Project panellist Rachel Corbett asked the GP about the pressures some younger people might be feeling right now. While some are eager for an AstraZeneca jab, she noted others might be uncomfortable with the risks involved but “feel pressure to do the right thing.”

“Is it fair to be putting that kind of burden on them?” she asked.

Dr Vyom Sharma described the current vaccine situation as “total chaos.”

“I’m really sick of seeing this pressure and moralising on young people, because I don’t think anyone’s sacrificed more than young people during this pandemic yet received so little direct health benefits,” said Dr Sharma.

“They’ve given up so much, and I think it’s a bit much for us to tell young people to go get vaccinated with the first vaccine available, in light of the fact ATAGI are saying they prefer another one. People have the right to make an informed decision – but I don’t think we should be pressuring young people, no.”

Dr Sharma finished the interview with what he called a “dirty truth” young people should keep in mind when considering their options.

“There are certainly some benefits to AstraZeneca … (but) the closer we get to the shipment dates of those millions of stocks of Pfizer and Moderna coming in, the less use of AstraZeneca that we’re going to see. So you kind of have to decide now – there’s no point deciding in September.”