A LOCAL GP has called on younger Sunraysia residents to come forward for an AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccination after the Federal Government expanded eligibility on Tuesday.
“The only way to move forward (from coronavirus outbreaks) is with vaccination,” said Dr John Dyson-Berry, from Lime Medical Clinic.
Dr Dyson-Berry, who had his first AstraZeneca jab in March, will have his second jab this week.
“I personally am very happy with AstraZeneca,” he said.
“It is as safe as you can get. The risks are very tiny in comparison to the risks of getting coronavirus.”
On Tuesday Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced people between the ages of 18 and 39, who were not eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, could opt to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
According to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the risk of getting a rare blood clot after the AstraZeneca vaccine could be as low as about one in 200,000.
As part of the expanded eligibility, the Australian Government will protect general practitioners from any litigation under an indemnity scheme when they administer AstraZeneca to Australians with informed consent.
But some confusion remains around the scheme, with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Victoria’s health department calling on federal authorities for more information.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said the expansion of the rollout to anyone under 40 had not been agreed to during Monday night’s national cabinet meeting.
“This morning the Department of Health has reached out to the Commonwealth to request advice about whether eligibility requirements are formally changing,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
There are reports some GPs have knocked back AstraZeneca consultation requests from Victorians under 40 as they await official advice on the change.
Mr Foley said GPs had raised the issue and he urged those aged 18 to 39 to be patient as authorities iron out indemnity and supply details.
“There’s a degree of confusion out there with the GPs as we seek to roll this out,” he said.
“As soon as we get all the information and clarification from the Commonwealth, we will implement the system as quickly and as smoothly as we possibly can.”
Premier Daniel Andrews told media Victorians aged 18 to 39 won’t be able to walk up for their shot at mass vaccination hubs, including the Mildura sub-hub run by Sunraysia Community Health Services.
He will consider broadening the change to state-run centres, if supply constraints can be addressed.
“The only limiting factor at the moment is, do we have enough supply to get into as many arms as we can, as fast as we can?” Mr Andrews said.
– with AAP
