Melbourne general practice becomes state’s first to administer Pfizer Can GPs expect to secure supply of the vaccine? Does administration differ to AstraZeneca? newsGP speaks to practice owner Dr Mukesh Haikerwal.
Should Victorian general practices be prioritised in the vaccine rollout? While vaccine hesitancy remains in many parts of the country, Melbourne GPs have reported a ‘phenomenal increase’ in uptake, forcing them to turn eligible patients away.
Identifying and treating vaccine-linked blood clots in general practice Other than age, there are ‘no known risk factors’ associated with developing blood clots with low platelets following an AstraZeneca vaccination, but GPs can still take steps to protect patients.
Australian authorities update side effect advice on AstraZeneca vaccine The ATAGI release confirms most over-50s can receive the vaccine, and that the rare blood clotting linked to AstraZeneca can be treated effectively.
‘It’s a dangerous strategy for people to hold off’: GPs urge eligible patients to get vaccinated now The calls come after people over 50 were told there will be enough mRNA vaccine doses ‘for every Australian’ later in the year.
What is needed to get Australians vaccinated by December? Completing the vaccination program in 2021 is plausible, but GPs say additional funding and delivering mRNA vaccines will be crucial to utilising general practice’s ‘untapped capacity’.
Evidence suggests AstraZeneca and Pfizer are equally effective Experts say the research is reassuring, and indicates that both COVID vaccines offer a pathway to Australia reaching a high level of immunity.
Five new cases of blood clots likely linked to AstraZeneca But evidence indicates the benefits of the vaccine still outweigh the risks, according to the TGA.
Australians ‘highly concerned’ about COVID vaccine side effects Though there has been a recent uptick in people who say they would get a ‘safe and effective’ vaccine, according to a new survey.
GPs’ AstraZeneca supply to be increased immediately Practices will now receive an additional 150–200 doses each week.