Can I get the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine?

Australians over the age of 50 who have previously had a heart attack are still safe to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, experts say. This latest advice comes after health authorities last week recommended the Pfizer vaccine should be given to Australians under 50, amid concerns that rare blood clots may be linked to AstraZeneca.

Robert Graham, head of the cardiac receptor biology laboratory at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said people recovering from a heart attack had no reason to be concerned about getting AstraZeneca.

How about taking blood thinners?

Blood-thinning medications are also frequently given to patients post-surgery to prevent blood clots.

In rare cases, however, heparin has been linked to an autoimmune syndrome called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, a condition similar to blood clots reported following vaccination with AstraZeneca. Professor Graham said people who took blood thinners were still safe to get vaccinated.

What if I have a history of blood clots?

Professor Graham said there was no evidence to suggest people who had previously had a blood clot were more at risk of developing one of the rare clots potentially linked to AstraZeneca.

But he understood that some people might be a bit confused about all the information circulating. Professor Jennings urged anyone with a history of blood clots or a diagnosed blood-clotting disorder to talk to their doctor before booking in their jab.

What if I take medications that increase blood clot risk?

Some medications — including the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablets and antidepressants — are linked with a higher blood clot risk.

Professor Graham said experts still don’t know if taking these medications could also increase someone’s risk of getting a rare blood clot post-vaccination. However, he’s not too worried.