Coronavirus Australia: Elderly urged to receive AstraZeneca jab as TGA plays down fears

While most Aussies are ready for the jab, there is one persistent fear over the vaccine. A top health official says there’s nothing to worry about.

Older Australians are being urged to take the newly approved AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as the government plays down fears over its effectiveness in people aged over 65.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted the AstraZeneca jab approval for use in people aged 18 and above, placing no upper age limit on its recommendation.

European regulators had butted heads over whether to approve the vaccine to people aged above 65 amid concerns over its effectiveness in that age group.

But the TGA quelled those fears, announcing approval on Tuesday and saying there are “no safety concerns in this age group” arising from clinical trials.

RELATED: AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine provisionally approved by TGA

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in people aged above 65. Picture: Thomas Samson / AFP

The TGA’s John Skerritt said the jab’s rollout in the UK, where there was no upper age limit, showed a strong immune response among the elderly.

“Our analysis of the data gives us no reason to suspect that the vaccine would not be fully efficacious in older groups,” he said.

Various Europeans countries have put an upper limit of 65 for the AstraZeneca vaccine, while Italy restricted its use to people under 55.

The TGA recommended a “case-by-case” assessment before administering the jab to people aged over 65.

But Professor Skerritt clarified the only time the jab should not be recommended was when administering it would be futile.

“If someone only has a few weeks to live, you won’t give them a hip replacement and may not give them a vaccine,” he said.

“That’s what we’re talking about, but the vaccine is recommended for use in all ages.”

The TGA moved to assuage the public over the thoroughness of the approval process

The TGA’s John Skerritt told the elderly there was ‘no reason’ to fear the AstraZeneca vaccine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“Australians can be confident that the TGA’s review process of this vaccine was rigorous and of the highest standard,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The decision to provisionally approve the vaccine was also informed by expert advice from the Advisory Committee on Vaccines, an independent committee with expertise in scientific, medical and clinical fields, including consumer representation.”

Australia has ordered 53.8 million AstraZeneca doses, 3.8 million of those sourced from overseas.

Drug manufacturer CSL is set to produce the other 50 million doses in Melbourne in a move the government says will safeguard Australia against international supply issues.

The overseas doses are set to be administered in early March, with the Australian-produced doses to follow later that month.

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in Australia. Picture: Michael Dantas/AFP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said attention would turn to ensuring the vaccine was spread quickly and effectively across the country.

“It’s going to make a huge difference to how we live here in Australia this year and in the years ahead,” he said.

The jab will be administered in two doses, which are recommended to be spaced 12 weeks apart.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Monday approval of the jab would double Australia’s overall vaccine distributions by early March.

The first doses of the Pfizer vaccine landed in Australia on Monday ahead of the first jabs being administered next week.