Vaccinating young people with AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine should be the exception rather than the rule, says the co-chair of Australia’s peak immunisation advisory body.

Associate Professor Christopher Blyth said this morning that ATAGI’s advice was unchanged and still recommends the Pfizer vaccine as the “preferred” option for under-60s.

But asked during a media interview if those under 40 should be offered the AstraZeneca vaccine, he said: “I do not believe, at this stage, that young people should be receiving AstraZeneca … unless their circumstances are pressed for that.

“There are some situations where that would be warranted, but they are quite small.”