President of the Australian Medical Association, Dr. Omar Khorshid, announced that he does not endorse the prime minister’s statement that allows the AstraZeneca vaccine for individuals under 40.

The independent Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advised that– that Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for under-60s due to an increased risk of rare clotting events linked to the AstraZeneca jab – is unchanged. However, Scott Morrison on Monday night encouraged under-60s “to go and have that discussion with your GP” if they wish to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“It took us by surprise, and it’s hard to know how to take that announcement because I think it’s going to be a limited number of people to take it up, given that they would be going against the expert Atagi recommendation,” Khorshid said on Tuesday.

He added, “Our recommendation is still really for patients to follow the Atagi advice. Be patient and have the Atagi-recommended vaccine when it’s available. I am certainly still backing the expert advice at this stage.”

The advice states there is “a higher risk and observed severity of thrombosis (clotting] and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) syndrome related to the use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine observed in Australia in the 50-59 year old age group than reported internationally and initially estimated in Australia”.