COVID-19 vaccination – Updated ATAGI advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine – Auslan

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advise the AstraZeneca vaccine may be used for people:

• aged 60 and over
• aged 18 to 59 in outbreak areas, if they do not have immediate access to Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna).

If you are aged 18 to 59, you can choose to get protected with the AstraZeneca vaccine:

• following an assessment by a qualified health professional
• if you provide verbal or written consent.

Rare side effects that have been reported after AstraZeneca are:

• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
  • Anaphylaxis after AstraZeneca is very rare. The rate in Australia appears similar to any other vaccine.
• A condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which involves blood clotting (thrombosis) and low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia).
  • Information from Australia and overseas shows that TTS is a rare condition.

In a large outbreak, ATAGI advises that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine are greater than the risk of rare side effects for all age groups.

You need 2 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, given 4 to 12 weeks apart.  You may not be fully protected against COVID-19 until 7 to 14 days after your second dose. Most people have their second dose 12 weeks after their first, but it can be less time in certain situations.

ATAGI recommends a shorter interval of 4 to 8 weeks between the first and second doses in an outbreak so that maximal protection against COVID-19 can be achieved earlier.

To be considered up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, you must have completed all the doses recommended for your age and health status. Find out about how to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

It is important that as many people as possible get the COVID-19 vaccine in Australia. For more information, you can visit the Department of Health website.

For more information, you can:

• visit the Department of Health website
• call the Disability Gateway Helpline on 1800 643 787
• visit the Disability Gateway website
• call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.

If you need information in a language other than English, you can call the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccine Helpline on 1800 020 080 and press option 8. This is a free service.

You can also call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.