By the end of last week the Territory has administered 15,823 doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines at the Garran Surge Centre.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said individuals under the age of 50 who had booked for an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination, primarily ACT Government employees classified under Stage 1B of the National Vaccine Roll-out Strategy, would be offered the Pfizer vaccine.
“The rare, but serious side effect involving blood clotting (thrombosis) with low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia) following AstraZeneca vaccination is a concern,” Mr Barr said.
“However, there are thousands of Canberrans that have safely received the AstraZeneca vaccination, and it still remains a very safe vaccination that is proven to prevent the very worst implications from the COVID-19 virus – particularity among the most vulnerable members of our community,” he said.
Mr Barr said Canberrans who were eligible under Stage 1B of the National Vaccine Roll-out should speak to their local GP or current healthcare practitioner about any concerns they had regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Chief Minister said the Territory was working with the Commonwealth on how the vaccine would be rolled out in future Stages of the National Vaccine Roll-out Strategy.
