The link prompted Australia’s vaccine advisory group to preference the Pfizer vaccine forpeople aged under 50,then laterunder 60.
A study by AstraZeneca employees released overnight indicated the risk of a blood clot from the vaccine was 8.1 in a million on the first dose,and 2.3 in a million on the second dose.
In Australia the Therapeutic Goods Administration has confirmed there have been 90 cases of the clotting disorder and five deaths from 6.3 million doses of the vaccine to date.
“So far the observed number of deaths reported after vaccination remains less than the expected number of deaths that would occur naturally,or from other causes,for that proportion of the population,” the TGA said in its weekly safety report.
In early July,after Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced a GP indemnity schemeallowing anyone over 18 to get access to AstraZeneca through a GP with informed consent,Dr Ananda-Rajah appeared onQ+A again.
Audience member Tristan Lawrence,31,explained he was “willing to take on the little bit of risk if it means that Australia can open up faster,” andasked if it was worth getting the AstraZeneca vaccine.
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Dr Ananda-Rajah responded:“My advice is to follow the health advice and take your advice from a doctor,not politicians.
“My advice to you is stay calm,be patient,your turn will come and that will be some time in September and you will be given the Pfizer vaccine and you will have protection in three weeks.”
Over the weekendATAGI changed its advice to recommend AstraZeneca to everyone over 18 in greater Sydney,given the greater risk of COVID-19 in the city.
Dr Ananda-Rajah,who had by this point been preselected for Labor,tweeted:“A lot of talk about changing risk from the highest levels down but no detail on what it means. Put some numbers to it rather than describing a vibe,or supporting a leader desperate to raise his approval ratings.”
Dr Ananda-Rajah did not respond to requests for comment,neither did Labor Party headquarters.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese was asked multiple times last month to encourage the take up of AstraZeneca specifically,but he has resisted.
“Politicians shouldn’t be the ones giving health advice. Medical experts should,” Mr Albanese said on June 30.
He declined an invitation to clarify his comments,or discuss the comments of his party’s candidate.
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On Thursday,Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged take-up of the locally manufactured jab.
”Getting the AstraZeneca vaccine will keep you safe,will keep your family safe,it will keep your community safe and it will help get Australia to where it needs to be.
“It’s a strong vaccine,it’s an effective vaccine. It’s the most recognised COVID-19 vaccine in the world and it’s saved millions of lives,” he said.