AstraZeneca Vaccine for Adults Under 50 Years of Age

Below is the official advice from Australia's Department of Health about the AstraZeneca vaccine for adults under 50 years of age:

There are two brands of vaccine in use in Australia. Both are effective and safe. For adults aged under 50 years either brand may be used, however Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine is preferred over AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca can be used in people aged 18 and above, and is safe and effective. A very rare side effect reported after the AstraZeneca vaccine is ‘thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome’ (TTS), which involves blood clotting and low blood platelet levels. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risk of this condition. However, to minimise this risk, Comirnaty (Pfizer) is the preferred COVID-19 vaccine for adults under 50 years of age, and for people with a past history of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (a type of brain clot) or heparin induced thrombocytopenia (a rare reaction to heparin treatment). AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is suitable for people in these three categories if they have assessed their benefits and risks.

At this time, EAHC has decided that anyone under 50 who still wants the AstraZeneca vaccine will need have a consultation with their doctor to discuss their individual benefit-to-risk balance prior to being placed on our waiting list.

If after speaking with your doctor, you would like to proceed with the vaccine, you will need to let us know and we will then place you on our waiting list.