Leading infectious diseases experts are warning that the Federal Government’s latest pronouncement on who can get the AstraZeneca vaccine is creating confusion and risking public trust. 

On Monday night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the viral-vector vaccine would be available to everyone under 60, including those aged 18-39 who were not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccination under the rollout timeline.

The call was made during an announcement of a new no-fault indemnity scheme covering COVID-19 vaccinations to support GPs offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to younger patients amid concern Pfizer stocks were running low.

Infectious diseases physician Professor Peter Collignon, from ANU in Canberra, said that although the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s guidance on “preferred” vaccines for different age groups was clear to medical professionals, “the nuance is lost” on the general public.