The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) announced on June 17 that :
- Pfizer is the preferred COVID-19 vaccine over AstraZeneca from the age of 16 to under 60 years.
- AstraZeneca is recommended for patients over the age of 60.
- AstraZeneca can be used in adults aged under 60 years for whom Pfizer is not available, the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks for that individual and the person has made an informed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits.
- For those who have had their first AstraZeneca vaccine without any serious adverse events should receive their second dose (irrespective of age)
⭐️These changes are based on recent data regarding Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) cases in Australia and a reassessment of current age-specific risks and benefits of vaccination. ATAGI considers the benefit of vaccination in preventing COVID-19 with AstraZeneca outweighs the risk of TTS in people aged 60 and over. The risks of severe outcomes with COVID-19 increase with age and are particularly high in older unvaccinated individuals.
⭐️ At YFD we only have the AstraZeneca vaccine available at our Covid Vaccine Clinics. Our practice will be contacting patients between the age of 50 – 60 who are already booked to have their 1st AstraZeneca vaccination.
⭐️ For those between the age of 40 – 60 on the Central Coast and those with underlying medical conditions under the age of 60, you can book for the Pfizer vaccine at the Coast and Country Respiratory Clinic or Gosford Hospital via
https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility
(please note – recent changes may not be updated for several days)
⭐️For more on the latest recommendations on the Astrazeneca vaccine please follow the link –