No change to vaccine advice for older Australians after woman’s death ‘likely’ linked to AstraZeneca jab

There will be no immediate change to further limit the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia despite confirmation the death of a 48-year-old woman was most likely linked to the jab.

NSW woman Genene Norris received her vaccination just hours before the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation changed its advice on the vaccine last Thursday, preferencing the Pfizer vaccine for those aged under 50.

Health Minister Greg Hunt and the TGA’s Professor John Skerritt in Mount Martha on Saturday.Credit: Wayne Taylor

“Very sadly and agonisingly for the family, this woman passed in hospital, so we extend our deepest and most profound condolences and sympathy to the family,” federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Saturday.

Relatives of Ms Norris paid tribute to her “fun-loving, happy character and her sense of service to those around her”.

Genene Norris received the AstraZeneca vaccination just hours before the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation changed its advice on the vaccine.Credit: Facebook

“Genene’s devotion to our family was deep and gave her much joy. Her passing leaves a gaping void in our family. We cannot believe that this time last week she was with us and now she is gone,” they said in a statement on Saturday.

“We want to thank the medical staff who did everything they could to save Genene. Currently, we know as much as the public knows as further medical investigations need to take place.”

Ms Norris worked at Sanitarium Health Food Company’s office in Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast.

“The company is saddened by the loss of a much-loved employee, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and workmates,” the company said in a statement.

Mr Hunt said the government had asked ATAGI to continually review the safety of the vaccine.

However, current health advice is unlikely to change, giving the green light for AstraZeneca vaccines to proceed in those aged 50 and over.

AstraZeneca benefits outweigh risks: TGA head

As a team of experts work around the clock to investigate possible side effects from the vaccine, the head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Professor John Skerritt, said the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine still appeared to outweigh the risks for older Australians.

“The risk and implications of becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID is so much greater for over 50s and that is why authorities are continuing to encourage vaccinations in those populations,” Professor Skerritt said.

The TGA’s vaccine safety investigation group has concluded that the death of the woman who developed blood clots in the arteries and veins and low platelet count was likely linked to the jab, but it remains under investigation because of some unexpected findings.

Professor Skerritt described the case of thrombosis (blood clots) with thrombocytopenia (very low platelets) as unusual compared to others reported across the globe as anti-PF4 antibodies were absent.

“So this is a most unusual case as far as its clinical profile and that is why it certainly hasn’t been closed. As we get further information, we will reconvene the panel to look at further information as needed,” he said.

It’s the third case in Australia of the condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS). The two other people who fell sick, a 44-year-old Victorian man and a woman from Western Australian in her 40s, are still in hospital but said to be recovering well.

With more than 885,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine administered in Australia so far, the rate of the rare complication has been about 1 in 295,000.

That’s similar to the rate that has been reported in the UK, of about 1 in 250,000 people, or four in every million.

Olympians request vaccinations ahead of Tokyo Games

Meanwhile, Mr Hunt said the federal government had received a request for Australia’s Olympians to be vaccinated before the Tokyo Games in July.

“That will be considered ... There’s not been a decision,” he said. “We sure want to see our Olympians get to the Olympics and we certainly want to see that they are safe.”

International spectators have already been banned from entering Japan, leaving athletes facing the prospect of largely empty stadiums if local attendance is also restricted.

The 11,000 athletes expected to travel to Tokyo in July will be subject to strict social distancing measures that prevent shouting, cheering and singing for teammates.

They will largely be confined to their accommodation, training or events for the duration of the Games.

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