The RACGP is urging doctors to follow the ATAGI’s advice when offering the AstraZeneca vaccine after Scott Morrison was savaged for urging younger Australians wanting the vaccine to see their GP.

Many practices have reported a surge in vaccination requests following the Prime Minister’s statement on Monday night, which the government insists is in line with ATAGI recommendations (see box).

Unchanged from last week, the recommendations state the Pfizer mRNA vaccine should be the “preferred” option for those aged 16-59 because of the risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) linked with the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeanette Young, told reporters this morning that no-one under 40 should be administered the AstraZeneca vaccine, referring to 49 people in the UK who had died from the rare blood clots.