Australian medical experts now recommend Pfizer vaccine for people aged under 50
Australia’s top medical experts have urgently updated their advice about the AstraZeneca vaccine. The changes affect a staggering number of people.
The true number of Australians hit by shock revelations about the AstraZeneca vaccine has been made clear as the government scrambles to develop an alternative rollout strategy.
Top medical experts on Thursday night recommended that AstraZeneca no longer be given to people aged under 50 after rare blood clots were linked to the vaccine.
New figures released last month reveal more than 11.2 million Australians aged 18-49 are affected by the damning health advice.
This is about 43 per cent of Australia’s population of 25.7 million, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
RELATED: What AstraZeneca vaccine fallout means for you
The updated health advice could derail the vaccine rollout plan, as the majority of the population were expected to get the jab because it could be manufactured onshore.
People aged under 50 should only be given a first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine when benefit clearly outweighs the risk for that individual.
Instead, experts now recommend that the Pfizer vaccine be given to people aged under 50.
Scott Morrison on Friday announced that Australia had secured an additional 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
The move doubles the number of Pfizer doses available, which had previously been well short of the new-found demand, to 40 million.
Australia has an agreement for 51 million doses of the Novavax jab, which was not due until later this year, prompting the government to urgently assess its options.
RELATED: ScoMo blasted over vaccine ‘debacle’
Health Minister Greg Hunt said 872,000 Pfizer vaccines had been delivered so far.
“We have seen, so far, very consistent, very reliable imports of Pfizer,” Mr Hunt told Sky News.
“The full 20 million is expected during the course of this year.
“It is due to step up in number over the course of April and due to step up again in May.”
Australia’s chief health officer Paul Kelly said the AstraZeneca vaccine was “perfectly safe” for older Australians in the rollout priority groups.
He reinforced that the blood-clotting event linked with the vaccine was “very rare” and had been detected in up to six people per million.
Only one person in Australia has been found to have blood clots associated with low platelet levels after their first dose.
People who have already had their first dose without any serious adverse effects can safely be given their second dose.
Proof it’s a good time to be a homebuyer
A pause in rate hikes has helped give buyers confidence as new home listings reach a record, almost-10-year high.
Footage captures unusual train station visit
The unusual commuter wandered through the suburban train station on a ‘self-guided tour’.