Australia’s peak medical body has rejected the federal government’s push for younger people to receive the AstraZeneca jab, as one state premier pushed an alternative view on the Pfizer vaccine.
National cabinet agreed on Monday to give indemnity to GPs who administered the jab to people aged under 60 who asked for it, after previously being restricted to those over 60.
Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid on Tuesday said the AMA would not change its advice.
“The health advice about the Pfizer vaccine and the AstraZeneca vaccine has not changed – the Pfizer remains the recommended vaccine for Australians under the age of 60,” Mr Khorshid told ABC News.
“We recognise there has been a desire in the community for access to AZ and people have been saying, ‘I want it. I’m happy to make that call’.
“While the AMA does support (the health) advice and says you should get Pfizer, this change is something that will free the vaccine up.
“It isn’t an approved vaccine for anybody over the age of 18. And Australians can make that decision.”
The decision to allow all adults to get the AstraZeneca vaccine marks a significant change in the nation‘s rollout.
Federal health Minister Greg Hunt said it was vital those under 40 considering taking the vaccine spoke with their doctor to understand the risks.
Western Australia premier Mark McGowan on Tuesday said he believed the Pfizer should be available for those over 60, amid growing hesitancy.
“I think we now need to as quickly as we possibly can move towards Pfizer being available to people over the age of 60,” he said.
“When you are over 60, you are in a more vulnerable age category.
“If we have community spread of the virus, people over 60 and 70 and 80 are more vulnerable to illness and death, and we have to get those people vaccinated as quickly as possible.
“And I don’t control the rollout of Pfizer.
“But I urge the Commonwealth to act as quickly as possible make Pfizer available to people over 60 and in particular those older age brackets above that.”
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