Pfizer Vaccine Now Recommended For Australians Over 50

Health Minister, Greg Hunt, announced yesterday that 2.1 million Australians aged 50-59 will now be advised to take the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine rather than the previously advised AstraZeneca vaccine. This decision comes off the advice provided by the Australian Technical Advisory Group.

Of the 815,000 Australians aged over 50 who have already had their first AstraZeneca dose, but not the second, Paul Kelly, Chief Medical Officer said “Anyone who had had a first dose of AstraZeneca without a problem should feel very confident to have their second dose and should keep their booking.” This advice was based on UK data which indicated that the risk of a complication after the second dose was one in 1.5 million.

People aged over 60 should continue to take up the AstraZeneca vaccine as the benefits outweigh the risk of blood clotting.

So far a total of 25.5% of the eligible population have had their first vaccination, including 64% of over 70s.

The recent spikes in COVID-19 cases in VIC and NSW, highlights the importance for all Australians to get vaccinated. It remains important to highlight that herd immunity cannot be achieved unless at least 70 percent of the population is vaccinated.

Sove CPAP Clinic is a leading Australian provider of Respiratory, Sleep Disorders, Cardiology and PPE services and products. Based in Sydney, it has a network of 40 clinics nationwide.