Should I still turn up for my AstraZeneca appointment? Your questions answered

I have an appointment to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, should I still go?

On Friday, Victoria’s Department of Health said appointments for eligible people under 50 receiving their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should be rescheduled until the Commonwealth provided updated consent forms and consumer information — which was provided over the weekend.

“Health services need time to ensure a clinical and operational understanding of these materials and are working across the weekend to familiarise and train staff in any new processes required,” Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said in his daily COVID-19 update on Sunday.

A nurse holds a vial of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and provided through the global COVAX initiative, in Machakos, Kenya.Credit:AP

AMA national president Dr Omar Khorshid said both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines were very effective and very safe and the risks associated with them were “tiny at this stage”. He said patients should talk with their GP about their personal circumstances if they had qualms, to make an informed choice.

What sort of issues might I discuss with my doctor?

AMA national vice-president Dr Chris Moy said doctors would explain the risks of having the vaccine such as the potential to develop thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

According to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), studies have suggested it may occur in about four to six people in every one million people in the four to 20 days after the first dose of vaccine. But higher rates have been reported in Germany and some Scandinavian countries.

TTS can cause serious long term disability or death, with death occurring in approximately 25 per cent of reported cases.

But Dr Moy said the doctor would also explain the risks of not having the vaccine, given it’s not clear when the Pfizer vaccine might be available to patients.

“You have to understand the risk of, ‘what would happen in two months’ time, in winter, if COVID broke out, and they weren’t vaccinated”? he said.

Should people aged 50-60 in Australia be concerned?

Some people who are just over 50 might be wondering whether they should have the AstraZeneca vaccine, since Germany, Spain and Italy have recommended its use for over-60s only.

ATAGI executive team member Professor Kristine Macartney said the incidence of clotting was “rare whether you’re 45, it’s rare whether you’re 55.

“The age of 50 is just sort of a line in the sand … Nothing magic happens on your 50th birthday, I’ve been there and done that, your immune system doesn’t suddenly change.”

The Australian government advice is based on the potentially increased risk people under 50 face from the blood clotting which may be linked to AstraZeneca’s vaccine and the reduced risk people under 50 face from catching COVID-19 compared to older people.

I’ve had one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Do I have the second?

Dr Jose Perdomo, a haematology expert at the University of New South Wales, said Australians did not need to be concerned about taking a second shot of AstraZeneca if they’ve already had their first.

“There is not a lot of evidence regarding the second dose of AstraZeneca but it appears from what we know that if people are going to have a reaction, it happens with the first dose,” Dr Perdomo said. “So if you haven’t had any reactions, it seems very unlikely you will suddenly react differently after the second dose.”

Will my second dose be different to my first?

French authorities have said people aged under 55 who have had one shot of AstraZeneca in France will receive a different vaccine for their second jab. Will that happen in Australia?

Dr Chris Moy said there was no scientific basis to back up this practice.

“There are no studies on this. The current advice in Australia, which I think is the correct advice, is to go on and get your second shot [of AstraZeneca] because almost all the cases that have occurred of this reaction [blood clotting condition TTS] have occurred with the first shot.

“So it makes no sense to not have the second shot, and switch to another one when there’s actually no clear evidence at this moment in time.”

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