Over 60 could die waiting for the Pfizer

The AstraZeneca vaccine is recommended for Australians aged over 60, with millions of doses waiting to be administered. But there are currently more than half a million Australians aged between 60 and 69 who haven’t had a single vaccine dose

Some of them don’t want a COVID-19 vaccine at all, but there are also many who just want an entirely different shot, like Pfizer or Moderna. And they’ve been holding out in the hope they’ll be able to get it.

It’s prompted Prime Minister Scott Morrison to pen a letter urging unvaccinated Australians older than 60 to get the AstraZeneca jab as soon as possible.

Why are people waiting?

They think Pfizer is a better vaccine and that they’ve been left with an inferior product.

But Australian Medical Association (AMA) vice-president and GP Chris Moy said both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines were highly effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, and have very rare side effects. “There’s a belief that over-60s have been cast off and are second-class citizens,” he said.

That very rare risk of the blood clotting disorder TTS, or thrombosis thrombocytopenia syndrome, linked to AstraZeneca is the second reason people want Pfizer instead.

If you’re still unconvinced, can you wait for Pfizer?

For those over 60 still hoping to secure a Pfizer dose, Dr Moy had a stark warning.

“Don’t die waiting for Pfizer,” he said. “And when you are there you will want to be protected by a vaccine and if you’re hanging around waiting for Pfizer you will be naked when it comes to your door.”

Dr Moy stressed both AstraZeneca and Pfizer doses were similar in terms of their overall safety. And he stresses the risk of a vaccine side-effect is much lower than the very real threat of dying from COVID-19.