Change in vaccination recommendations pertaining to AstraZeneca vaccine seems to have impacted the inoculation drive inside the nation. In the current adjustments made by the Australian government, the suggested age has been changed to 60 years and above which led to quite a few persons backing out from their vaccination appointments. Many persons have cancelled their appointments for a second dose of AstraZeneca vaccination, physicians have noted. The recommendations advised persons beneath the age of 60 years to go for the authorized option which is Pfizer vaccine.
Now this becomes problematic contemplating the currently prevalent vaccine hesitancy amongst persons in the nation. Not only this, but this also creates a burden on provide of Pfizer vaccine which is at present quick.
It is to note that AstraZeneca vaccine has come beneath the criticism for possible trigger of a uncommon blood clotting syndrome. The Australian government has asked the younger population to go for Pfizer vaccination only when it is open for masses. For now, the overall health authorities in Australia have urged persons to get their second jab of AstraZeneca vaccine if they have received the 1st dose with out any critical side effects.
A report by The IE citing the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation mentioned that younger groups are at a higher danger of contracting the blood clotting disorder which is also recognized as thrombosis and thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). This is getting linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. However, the Department of Health is nevertheless urging persons who have currently received one shot of the vaccine to go for the second.
Since the Pfizer vaccine will also open for persons more than 50 years of age, persons in Australia are now cancelling their vaccination appointments in a hope to acquire the other vaccine. According to the report, more than 2.1 million persons in the 50-59 age group have not received a single dose of either vaccine. Therefore, they are now eligible to get the Pfizer shot. To be sure, supplies of the Pfizer vaccine are restricted with the government. The government had placed the order for 40 million Pfizer vaccines and only half of it is anticipated to arrive in the fourth quarter of this year.
Apart from this, the government has mentioned that it will boost the production of current vaccines and will bring in other vaccines by Moderna and Novovax by the year-finish.
To place in point of view, earlier this year, quite a few nations suspended the use of Oxford- AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine immediately after reports of blood clots surfaced. However, the vaccine can’t be scrapped entirely by Australia, because it is the country’s main vaccine and is also recognized for a higher level of protection against death and hospitalisation due to Covid-19. Right now, specialists think the vaccine to be the country’s finest shot provided the rise of new waves and more mutated viral strains. Also, the danger of having TTS from AstraZeneca is rather low- one in 2 million persons.
As of now, Australia has been in a position to totally vaccinate 3 per cent of its adults whereas 25 per cent received their 1st dose. The vaccination programme which began in February this year is open to persons above the age of 40 years.