Topline
Australia has become the latest country to restrict the use of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine to older age groups amid fears is may be linked to a very rare form of blood clotting, a move officials insist won’t affect the country’s vaccination goals but could knock public confidence in the vaccine, which is still a cornerstone of global immunization campaigns.
Senior man holding up shirt sleeve to show the sticking plaster after a jab
Key Facts
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the vaccine—previously recommended for use in people aged 50 and up—would now only be offered to people over the age of 60.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, the government’s expert group, recommended the change after 60 people were reported to have developed the rare clotting disorder after receiving the shot.
Australia’s low case rate and ability to acquire other vaccines mean the very low risk of developing a blood clot now outweighs the possible benefits, said Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, a similar reasoning used by the U.K. when it first restricted the use of AstraZeneca shots in younger people in April.
Those who have already received the first AstraZeneca dose should feel safe in getting the second, Kelly said, as the country has “not had a single case of this syndrome from a second dose.”
Key Background
The rollout of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, a cheaper and more practical alternative than mRNA vaccines, has been anything but smooth, despite clinical trials showing it to be safe, well-tolerated and effective. Fears over rare blood clots initially led many countries to restrict its use to younger people, advice that was roundly reversed when they were determined to be the group at the greatest risk of developing them. Reports of blood clots in older groups has led many countries to limit age groups further and some countries have stopped using them entirely. The Johnson & Johnson shot, which relies on a similar technology, has faced similar problems. The controversy and the back and forth in decision making has knocked public confidence in the vaccine around the world. The shot is expected to play a prominent role in global immunization efforts, making the diminished confidence a significant obstacle to overcome.
Surprising Fact
Haiti, which has not yet received a single Covid-19 vaccine and is suffering outbreaks of disease, initially rejected an offer of AstraZeneca shots from the Covax vaccine sharing initiative, requesting another type of vaccine.
Contra
Regulators have repeatedly emphasized the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine and underscored that any benefits outweigh any possible risks. The head of the European Medicines Agency’s Covid-19 task force reiterated this position Sunday, telling Reuters that his comments, which appear to support the restriction in those aged over 60, had been misinterpreted.
Further Reading
AstraZeneca COVID vaccine use recommended for over-60s only following ATAGI meeting (ABC News)
