AZ covid vaccine banned in Australia

AstraZeneca is no longer available in Australia

https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/advice-for-providers/clinical-guidance/tts#astrazeneca-is-no-longer-available-in-australia

There was a link between the AZ vaccine and a rare but serious side effect, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS)

AstraZeneca is no longer available as of 20 March 2023,

so no further cases of AstraZeneca-related TTS can occur in Australia.

BHF (UK)

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/astrazeneca-covid-vaccine

Evidence shows that mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, are more effective at boosting protection from Covid-19,

so these vaccines are being recommended for the autumn booster programme.

In Australia, the rate of AstraZeneca-related TTS

Aged 60 and over

2 per 100,000 people vaccinated with AstraZeneca

Aged under 60

2 to 3 per 100,000 people vaccinated with AstraZeneca

Symptoms typically occurred between 4 and 42 days after a first dose

TTS can cause long-term disability and death.

TTS

blood clotting (thrombosis)

combined with low platelets (thrombocytopenia)

Blood clots can appear in different parts of the body such as the brain or abdomen

No risk factors were identified that predicted who developed TTS.

Cases were reported in all ages, and in both men and women.

TTS appeared to be more severe in younger women.

Almost all reported cases of TTS occurred after the first dose of AstraZeneca.

The risk of TTS was much lower after the second dose.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] vaccine) COVID-19 vaccine: what you need to know

https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-oxford-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know

The vaccine is safe and effective for all individuals aged 18 and above.

COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca

https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/idaps/CHADOX1%20NCOV-19

Following AstraZeneca covid vaccination

https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting

https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/yellow-card-please-help-to-reverse-the-decline-in-reporting-of-suspected-adverse-drug-reactions

241 reports of myocarditis

226 reports of pericarditis

9 reports of endocarditis

Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine reaches two billion dose milestone

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2021-11-16-oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-reaches-two-billion-dose-milestone

2,000,000,000

16 November 2021

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/overview-COVID-19-vaccines.html

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine is a viral vector vaccine and can be given in some situations.

Australian timeline

8 April 2021

Australian Government received advice and recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) about AZ Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

17 June 2021

ATGI, recommended an alternative to AstraZeneca for under 60s

20 March 2023

AZ discontinued