The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is now urging all adults in Greater Sydney to “strongly consider” getting the AstraZeneca jab, as the Sydney COVID-19 outbreak continues to grow.
This is a major change from previous ATAGI advice, which recommended Pfizer as the preferred vaccine for adults under 60. However, with NSW recording another 163 cases today added with a low supply of Pfizer in the state, that advice has now changed.
According to ATAGI, the benefits of getting the AZ jab are greater than the risk of risk of rare side effects (such as blood clotting).
“The advice from ATAGI is all individuals aged 18 years and above in Greater Sydney, including adults under 60 years of age, should strongly consider getting vaccinated with any available vaccine, including AstraZeneca,” Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd said on Saturday.
Kidd also said that there was evidence the Delta strain was having a more serious impact on younger people, with some ending up in ICU.
“It is becoming apparent that the Delta variant may be more severe than the original strain of the virus,” Kidd said.
“The proportion of infected people less than 60 years of age requiring hospitalisation now appears to be higher than what was reported in outbreaks with the original strain.
“So this also reinforces the benefit of protection with either vaccine.”
Those that are unable to get AstraZeneca due to medical reasons can still expect a shipment of Pfizer soon, with Michael Kidd confirming that an extra 50,000 doses are coming from the national stockpile.
Of the 163 COVID cases recorded by NSW Health on Saturday, 73 were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 26 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. 45 were infectious in the community and the isolation status of 19 cases is under investigation.
All adult Aussies (yep, even if those of us under 40) are currently able to get the safe and effective AstraZeneca vaccine through a GP. Talk to a doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Alternatively, you can triple-check to see if you’re eligible for the Pfizer vaccine here.
The best vaccine is the first one you can get, and that’ll be our ticket out of this mess.
