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No decision from NT Government on AstraZeneca vaccine as other states block at-risk groups

The NT government has yet to decide whether to suspend delivering doses of the AstraZeneca jab to people under the age of 50, despite Victoria and WA doing so.

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TOP Northern Territory health officials are yet to decide on the fate of the AstraZeneca jab’s rollout, despite an NT senator pleading for under 50s to be barred from being administered the jab.

CLP senator Sam McMahon made the call after health departments in Victoria and Western Australia moved to suspend its rollout to people under 50 years old, amid growing concerns about rare but serious blood clotting associated with the vaccine.

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A woman in her 40s in intensive care at the Royal Darwin Hospital is currently the second known case of blood clotting in Australia linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The woman was originally from remote Western Australia but was transported to Darwin rather than Perth.

Speaking on Mix Radio on Wednesday, Ms McMahon said the NT government should follow other jurisdictions in suspending the vaccine for under 50s entirely.

NT Nationals Senator Sam McMahon has called for under Picture by Sean Davey.
NT Nationals Senator Sam McMahon has called for under Picture by Sean Davey.
A vial of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Picture: Armend NIMANI / AFP
A vial of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Picture: Armend NIMANI / AFP

“The Gunner Labor Government needs to be sure the vaccine is safe for people under 50 and has a duty of care to the people of the Territory to ensure their lives are not put in jeopardy, by using it on people under the age of 50,” she said.

“I was really shocked to learn that they hadn’t in fact followed the federal government advice, as several other states have done.”

“I think we should be responsible and take it off the table entirely for that at risk group.”

The senator acknowledged the risk of death from COVID-19 was higher than complications from the vaccine, but said the NT was in a “lucky position.”

Ms McMahon also called on the NT government to explain “why it has taken so long for the public to be advised of the woman’s admission to RDH, as she was diagnosed with clotting in late March.”

“A woman in Royal Darwin Hospital at the moment has been there for a couple of weeks,” she said.

AstraZeneca blood clots: the risks and symptoms you should know

The NT News understands a meeting of Security and Emergency Subcommittee of Cabinet (SEMC) was held yesterday afternoon, but there has been no change to the NT’s policy around AstraZeneca.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner and chief health officer Dr Hugh Heggie are understood to have attended SEMC.

Approximately 700,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered across Australia since the vaccine rollout began.

It was expected that AstraZeneca would form the bulk of Australia’s vaccination drive, with batches being manufactured from a CSL facility in Melbourne.

However, reports from both Australia and overseas of bloodclotting has forced the federal government to change track.

Delays are expected with the NT’s vaccine rollout as the government seeks to “recalibrate.”

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/no-decision-from-nt-government-on-astrazeneca-vaccine-as-other-states-block-atrisk-groups/news-story/0ceaf7732ed68a0bcf75c2b37e74d642