Vaccine pause to continue for under 50s in Victoria

Acting Premier James Merlino said on Monday the pause would continue until three things were resolved.

These include consumer information from the commonwealth being translated in languages other than English, compulsory education for staff and a resolution to indemnity issues.

The pause on administering the vaccine last week came after advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) following blood clotting concerns linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“Today we’re announcing we’re going to continue that pause. There’s three things that need to occur,” Mr Merlino told reporters.

“If we’re to provide clear information to all Victorians, we need to make sure that we’ve got translated materials.”

Mr Merlino said health staff would also need to be trained to talk to people, particularly the under 50s, about the risk and preference regarding the vaccines.

“Those things all need to happen so that people can truly make an informed decision as per the ATAGI advice from last week,” he said.

The state government is also asking the commonwealth to divert AstraZeneca vaccines that were on their way to state sites over the next fortnight to be sent to GPs instead.

This way GPs can administer the jab, particularly to older age groups such as those over 70.

“We’ve got enough AstraZeneca to deliver what we need to deliver,” Mr Merlino said.

“GPs are calling out for more, so this is a commonsense approach to get this thing done as quickly as possible.

“It’s a pretty simple equation – the more vaccinations that are rolled out, the lower the risk in the community.

“We want to see this done as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

In advice issued last Thursday, ATAGI noted further evidence of a rare but serious side effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine involving blood clotting and low blood platelet counts.

ATAGI recommended the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine as preferred over the AstraZeneca in adults under 50.

“COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca can be used in adults aged under 50 years where the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks for that individual and the person has made an informed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits,” ATAGI said in the statement.

ATAGI said people who had had their first dose of AstraZeneca without any serious adverse effects can be given the second dose, including those under 50.