Some GPs ‘uncomfortable’ giving AstraZeneca vax to under 40s
Changing advice and fear of being responsible for a rare side effect are behind doctors' reluctance to give younger patients the vaccine, says AMA vice president Dr Chris Moy.
Patients in their 30s and 40s have expressed frustration at having to ‘doctor-shop’ to access the AstraZeneca vaccine, but the AMA’s vice president says not all GPs “feel comfortable” prescribing it to younger people.
On 24 July, ATAGI recommended anyone over 18 in Greater Sydney “strongly consider” getting the first available vaccine, including AstraZeneca.
However, the advisory body’s advice for people under 60 in other outbreak situations is to reassess the benefits of having the AstraZeneca vaccine.
ATAGI’s nuanced and changing advice, multiple risk-benefit scenarios and widespread publicity surrounding rare blood clots has confused even doctors, says Dr Chris Moy.
