Update on AstraZeneca recommendations

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) issued a statement on 8 April recommending that the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer is preferred over the AstraZeneca vaccine in adults aged under 50 years.

This recommendation is based on the increasing risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 in older adults (and hence a higher benefit from vaccination) and a potentially increased risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following AstraZeneca vaccine in those under 50 years.

On Tuesday 13 April, the Therapeutic Goods Administration released a statement on the second case of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia in Australia, following an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, also released a statement reiterating the safety of all Australians is the Department of Health’s number one priority.

The updated advice for COVID-19 vaccines in Australia is:

• Adults aged under 50 years should receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can still be used if:
  • you have already received your first dose without any serious side effects, or
  • the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks for you, and you have made an informed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits.
• Adults over the age of 50 are recommended to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. This is based both on the increased risk of complications from COVID-19 with increasing age (and thus increased benefit of vaccination) and the potentially lower risk of blood clots with increasing age.

The Australian Government Department of Health published information about the AstraZeneca vaccine to help patients make informed decisions.

The Australian Government Department of Health has also published information on managing AstraZeneca excess doses. This is for general practice, GP-led Respiratory Clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

Queensland Health has amended the relevant information and forms on the COVID-19 vaccination information for healthcare workers website to reflect the changes and assist HHS vaccination clinics. Please visit the link above to access these updated forms, including:

• COVID-19 Additional and Temporary Pre-Vaccination Screening Questions
• COVID-19 Patient Information Sheet (Patient Resource)
• COVID-19 Vaccination Clinician Decision Support Guide
• COVID-19 Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) Reporting Form.

Please note that new clinical information and data is being released and the above advice will be amended as required.