ATAGI have released a statement for health providers (25 March 2021) on the suitability of COVID-19 vaccination in people with a history of clotting conditions.
ATAGI note the World Health Organization (WHO), European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have reviewed data from the millions of people who have received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine worldwide which demonstrates no increase in rates of general thromboembolic events post receiving this vaccine. Investigations are ongoing into whether or not there is a link with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST).
There have been no reported cases of CVST in Australia to date following vaccination.
The statement emphasizes that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh this potential risk.
ATAGI continues to recommend vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine or Comirnaty (the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine), including for people with a history of clotting conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, thrombocytopenia, thrombophilic disorders, people on anticoagulants, people with a history of cardiovascular disease or people with risk factors for thrombosis such as smokers or those taking oral contraceptives.
For now, as a precautionary measure until further information from investigations in Europe is available, ATAGI recommend vaccination with any COVID-19 vaccine is deferred in people with a confirmed medical history of CVST and people with confirmed medical history of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
Healthcare workers should continue to be alert for persistent, unexpected and/or severe adverse events, particularly in the 1-2 weeks following immunisation as with any vaccine, and report to their local vaccine safety service as required.
Read the full statement via the link below