The AstraZeneca vaccine will now be available to all Australian adults.Credit:Eddie Jim
The Prime Minister announced the change after an emergency national cabinet meeting on Monday night,saying the Commonwealth will introduce a new no-fault vaccine injury indemnity scheme for GPs.
It will allow those who want an AstraZeneca vaccine to have that conversation with their doctor,including those under-40 not yet eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
“If you wish to get the AstraZeneca vaccine,then we would encourage you to go and have that discussion with your GP,” Mr Morrison said,noting the expert medical advice was that the Pfizer vaccine was the preferred vaccine for people aged under 60.
Nearly 18,600 people in Victoria received their COVID-19 vaccine doses in the 24 hours to midnight on Monday,while more than 20,700 test results were processed in the past 24 hours.
Victoria recorded two new cases of coronavirus in hotel quarantine.
The AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved by Australia’s medical regulator for use in people aged 18 and over. The indemnity scheme applies for the duration of the pandemic and will be applied retrospectively to February 22 this year to cover the start of the vaccine program.