Thursday 17 June

Today the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) issued a statement on revised recommendations for the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

ATAGI now recommend that people aged 60 years and over have the AstraZeneca vaccine, while people aged 59 years and under have the Pfizer vaccine.

What this could mean for you

If you are aged between 50 and 59 years and you are already booked in to receive your first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, you will be vaccinated using Pfizer instead.

Data shows that it is very safe to have the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine if you had no complications with the first dose. For this reason, if you are aged between 50 and 59 years and you are already booked in to receive your second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine you will still be vaccinated with AstraZeneca.

What if I refuse my second dose of AstraZeneca

Again, the data shows that it is very safe to have your second dose if you had no complications with your first.

You can choose not to be vaccinated with AstraZeneca for your second dose. However please be aware that you may have to wait until later in the year to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

If you would like to cancel your appointment please email myvax@austin.org.au to ensure we don’t waste any vaccine. 

Further information regarding this issue

Stay up to date with the latest information on the Australian Government website.