The Australian Government has advised that the Pfizer vaccine is now preferred over the AstraZeneca vaccine for adults aged under 50 who have not yet received a first dose of AstraZeneca.
This decision is based on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), in response to early investigations into rare but serious adverse reactions to the vaccine.
ATAGI has recommended that people who have had their first dose of AstraZeneca without any serious side-effects can safely receive their second dose. This includes adults under 50 years.
The Tasmania Government has put an immediate hold on any first dose AstraZeneca vaccinations of people aged under 50 years. People with existing first dose appointments at community clinics will be contacted directly to discuss rescheduling their appointments. Those who have had their first dose will also be contacted directly by the Public Health Hotline.
We understand that people will be anxious for more information and that information will be provided via your vaccine clinic provider as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding that this will take time, and we will call those with upcoming appointments as a priority. If you have an urgent query, please call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
Vaccinations for our priority groups using the Pfizer vaccine and using the AstraZeneca vaccine for Tasmanians over 50, will continue as planned. Where possible those aged under 50 years in priority group 1b will be redirected to a clinic administering the Pfizer vaccine.
For further information, visit: https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/astrazeneca
