Australia Expands Vaccine Rollout, With Pfizer Vaccine Reserved for Under 50s
The Federal Government has limited the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine to Australians under 50 while preparing to expand the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine rollout to those over 50 from May.
“With a few exceptions, Pfizer is now restricted to those under 50,” Dr. Brendan Murphy, the Secretary of the Department of Health, told a press conference after National Cabinet on Thursday.
“But people always have a choice, and more Pfizer will be available later in the year. At this stage, we will not be making Pfizer available to those 50 and over.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed that the Pfizer vaccine would be prioritized for people under 50 and 1A and 1B groups.
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Australian States Agree ‘In Principle’ to Vaccination Rollout Changes
National Cabinet has agreed to make a number of changes to Australia’s COVID-19vaccination program, including options to bring forward vaccinations to those over the age of 50.
“National Cabinet agreed in principle to a series of changes to the Australian COVID-19 vaccination strategy that will be put forward for approval at the next meeting of National Cabinet (on Thursday),” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said after a meeting with state and territory ministers on April 19.
Preparing mass vaccinations sites are among the proposed changes to be discussed on April 22.
Morrison said that vaccinating vulnerable groups under phase 1a and 1b also remains a priority, with general practice as the primary model of the rollout.
Australians Over 50 Given Increased Supplies of AstraZeneca Vaccine
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory leaders have agreed on Monday to bring forward the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout for Australians over 50 and use mass vaccination centres for the rest of the population before Christmas.
Due to the AstraZeneca vaccine’s rare but serious link to blood clots, Pfizer is now the recommended coronavirus vaccine to people under 50. The federal and state governments have agreed to use increased supplies of AstraZeneca vaccine for Australians over that age, with the revised vaccination plan to be outlined in detail on Thursday.
“There are strong, strong arguments for the bringing forward of over 50s with the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is a safe and effective vaccine for those aged over 50, and particularly important for those aged over 70 who are already in that priority group,” Morrison said ahead of the National Cabinet on Monday.
National Cabinet endorses PM s push to offer AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to more over-50s
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National Cabinet is now meeting twice a week to discuss the vaccine rollout.
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Australians over the age of 50 could soon receive the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier than expected after the states and territories agreed to bring the COVID-19 vaccine timetable forward.
Key points:
Most Australians aged 50-69 are not yet able to get vaccinated
Labor says the government needs to ensure vulnerable Australians are vaccinated first
Doctors are now reporting patients are missing their appointments for the AstraZeneca vaccine over safety concerns, with thousands of doses sitting idle in fridges across the country.