Two more deaths from AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab, bringing total to six

Two more deaths linked to side effects of the first dose AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine occurred in the past week, bringing to six the number of such fatalities in Australia.

A health worker prepares a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Picture: Getty Images

Two more deaths linked to side effects of the first dose Astra­Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine occurred in the past week, bringing to six the number of such fatalities in Australia.

A 44-year-old man from Tasmania and a 48-year-old woman from Victoria had died from thrombosis with thrombocyto­penia syndrome, also known as TTS, authorities announced on Thursday.

The Therapeutic Good Administration said there had now been 87 cases of TTS – five resulting in death – from 6.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“In Australia, severe cases of TTS appear to be more common in women in younger age groups,” the TGA said.

“Nearly half of the TTS cases in women required treatment in intensive care. Four of the five deaths occurred in women aged 48 (two cases), 52 and 72 years old. The other death was a 44-year-old (Tasmanian) man, as reported (on Thursday).”

As well as the five TTS deaths, a sixth death has been linked to the first dose of AstraZeneca but from an even rarer condition: immune thrombo­cytopenia, involving low platelet count.

The TGA said this meant in total there had been six deaths, all related to first-dose AstraZeneca, out of 10.1 million doses of both vaccines, AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

Both the TGA and state authorities stood by the advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation that Pfizer was a “preferred” vaccine for those aged 16 to 60.

Despite the deaths, authorities urged those aged over 60 not to delay getting vaccination. “The benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine strongly outweigh the risks for people aged 60 and over, and vaccination is very important in this group, particularly given the current outbreak,” the TGA said.

Its weekly vaccine safety report noted the advisory group had recommended young­er Australians unable to immediately access the Pfizer vaccine “assess whether to get the AstraZeneca vaccine”.

“They should consider the protective benefits of vaccination to themselves and their contact … against the rare risk of a serious vaccine side effect,” it said.