Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Thursday that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine be administered to people aged 60 and over, rather than those aged 50 and over as was previously recommended.
Adults aged 59 and under will now be offered Pfizer’s vaccine based on the updated advice. “The experts at ATAGI have today updated their advice to recommend the Pfizer vaccine be preferred for adults aged 59 and under,” Hunt said in a statement. “The ATAGI advice remains clear that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe disease caused by COVID-19.
“This updated advice received today is based on new evidence demonstrating a higher risk for the very rare TTS (thrombocytopenia syndrome) condition in the 50-59 year-old age group.” According to him, AstraZeneca remains recommended for those aged 60 and over based on the much higher risk of illness and death from COVID-19 in this age group, and the lower risk of this condition.
Despite the change, Hunt said the rollout was on track and that every Australian who wants to be vaccinated will receive at least their first dose by the end of 2021.
The ATAGI’s decision came after 12 new cases of “this rare, but sometimes very serious clotting condition” were identified in the last week.
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