Young Australians reveal why they are going against health advice and getting vaccinated with AstraZeneca

Young Aussies are rushing to take up the Prime Minister’s offer of the AstraZeneca jab and flooding social media with the message that they are “getting it done”.

Young Australians eager to see the other side of the coronavirus pandemic are getting the AstraZeneca vaccine, despite Pfizer being the preferred vaccine for people aged under 60.

The PM copped criticism last week after going against health advice to open up the vaccine to younger age groups, after consultation with their GP.

And it seems young Aussies are responding in droves.

New data compares the risk of death from developing the rare blood-clotting syndrome TTS after having the AZ jab against other activities.

The graph shows the risk of dying from TTS after having the vaccine is 0.5 in one million or one in two million, which is only slightly higher than the risk of dying from a lightning strike, which is 0.4 in one million.

ABS figures shows the risk of dying in a car accident is significantly higher, at 28 in one million, while the risk of being killed by another person is also far higher, at 16 in one million.

The likelihood of drowning or dying in a pedestrian accident stands at eight in one million, which is also much higher than the AZ vaccine risk.

When compared to other adventure activities, the risk of dying from TTS is four times less than dying in a bungee jumping accident.

The risk associated with other common activities such as rock climbing, marathon running, scuba diving and mountain climbing is also significantly higher, the data shows.

Alison Lowe ended her Instagram post with the words ‘let’s do this thing’.

It is this risk that Alison Lowe, 36, from Sydney discussed with her doctor before getting the jab and posting on Instagram about her decision.

“Any risk of clots occurs within four to 10 days and basically if you get a bad headache or stomach ache, then you come to the doctor and they do a test to see if you have a clot, and then you get treatment,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

“Most people recover and most people do not have to be hospitalised, even if they are unlucky enough to get a clot.”

She argued that Australia could not keep going into lockdown each time there was community transmission.

“We can’t continue to live like this – borders closed, lockdowns every time Covid leaks out of quarantine, no immunity against new and more aggressive variants, and more likely to become the source of new and more aggressive variants,” she wrote.

“We also need to increase vaccination thresholds to get back to being able to move around and live in a way that isn’t thrown into disarray every time there’s a case or two.”

Others have expressed a sense of achievement in post-vaccination photos shared to social media, with many urging others to follow their lead.

“I’m officially fully vaccinated. Please – if you’re eligible and in the position to do so – get vaccinated,” one wrote.

Annabelle Brett. Picture: Instagram/a.b__baby

Annabelle Brett shared on Instagram an image of her arm after receiving the AstraZeneca jab and announced to her nearly 3000 followers she had proudly followed advice of Australian science commentator Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.

“I opted to go with Dr Karl’s advice today and get AstraZeneca, and the GP I saw was completely on the same page – saying young people with no blood clotting issues (aka any woman who’s ever been on the pill) should get this shot, to free up Pfizer for those who actually have no other option,” her post read.

“It’s your preference, but speak to your GP if you think you want to do the same.”

Victoria Falconer from Sydney called on her followers to “punch this pandemic where it hurts” by getting vaccinated.

“Me and my Clara Bow got vaxxed. If you can, you should too. One step towards less of these lonely lockdowns. One step towards the performing arts industry being less of a risky business,” her post read.

A Sydney man kept his post quaint and shared a photo of himself while he was being vaccinated.

“Fully vaccinated – second dose of AZ (AstraZeneca) #fullyvacinnated,” he wrote.

A woman from Sydney also announced she had been fully vaccinated, sharing an image of her arm with a small bandaid on it.

“All done with your second dose yet? Let’s open borders again so we can see our loved ones again! Who will you hug?,” her post read.

The Australian Technical and Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has continued to recommend Pfizer as the preferred vaccine for under 60s.

And Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young told reporters recently: “I don’t want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got Covid, probably wouldn’t die.”

Experts have however argued young Australians should be allowed to weigh up the risks for themselves and get vaccinated with AstraZeneca if they want.