Rachel McGuire

The Conversation: Data suggest no increased risk of blood clots from the AstraZeneca vaccine. Australia shouldn’t pause its rollout

With some European countries opting to pause the rollout of COVID-19 AstraZeneca in response to reports of blood clots, Australian experts have cautioned against any pauses whilst investigations are underway.

Thromboembolic events occur in approximately 17,000 Australians per year. In a global vaccine rollout it is therefore expected that some people will develop a blood clot coincidentally after they have received the vaccine. This does not meant that the vaccine caused it.

Since COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccinations began, there have been 30 thromboembolic events reported (as of March 10, 2021) in approximately 5 million vaccine recipients. This is lower than the natural rate expected to occur.

All adverse events must be thoroughly investigated. The robust safety surveillance systems in Australia are established to effectively identify any signals requiring follow up. Extreme caution is urged when considering a pause in rollout while investigations are underway as this can damage vaccine confidence.

To read more, please read the article below:

The Conversation: Data suggest no increased risk of blood clots from the AstraZeneca vaccine. Australia shouldn’t pause its rollout

qua Rachel McGuire

The bmj: Covid-19: Booster dose will be needed in autumn to avoid winter surge, says government adviser

Anthony Harnden, Deputy Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in the UK, has suggested that booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines are likely to be required.

With minimal data surrounding the duration of protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines and the emergence of new strain variants, the UK is considering commencing booster doses from August of this year.

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The bmj: Covid-19: Booster dose will be needed in autumn to avoid winter surge, says government adviser

qua Rachel McGuire

The Guardian: Israel says 600 children given Covid jab had no serious side-effects

Following an expansion of Israel's COVID-19 vaccination program, around 600 children (≥ 12 years) have received the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Reported side-effects in this age group have been minor and the vaccine has been well tolerated.

Due to the emergence of more transmissible strains of COVID-19, experts have now suggested that in order to achieve herd immunity closer to 90% coverage will be required. In a population of 9 million people, with approximately 1/4 of those aged under 16 years, lowering the age limit for COVID-19 vaccination is an important development for Israel.

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The Guardian: Israel says 600 children given Covid jab had no serious side-effects

qua Rachel McGuire

TGA: Vắc xin AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19

Denmark, Iceland and Norway have temporarily paused the distribution of COVID-19 AstraZeneca as a precautionary measure in response to reports of blood clots following immunisation (including 1 death in Denmark). The European Medicines Agency's safety committee is conducting a rapid review into the events.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have advised that a link has not been confirmed and to date there have been no reports of similar events in Australia. Extensive international vaccination programs have not indicated an increased risk of blood clots associated with the vaccine.

Vaccination with COVID-19 AstraZeneca continues in other countries including the United Kingdom and France.

Please refer to the full alert below for more information:

TGA: Vắc xin AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19

qua Rachel McGuire

TGA collecting COVID-19 vaccine side effect reports

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have published a summary of suspected adverse events reported following COVID-19 immunisation since the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. All reports to date reflect the expected side effects identified in clinical trials for Comirnaty™. Reports include cases of feeling faint, headache, dizziness or nausea. The two cases of administration error in a Brisbane aged care facility have not been associated with any adverse outcomes.

Commencing Wednesday March 3, 2021 the TGA will publish weekly updates on the number of COVID-19 vaccine adverse event reported.

For more information refer to the following link:

TGA collecting COVID-19 vaccine side effect reports

qua Rachel McGuire