Astrazeneca Covid Vaccine is No Longer Available to Australians

The AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, linked to a very common serious side-effect, has been quietly discontinued from use in Australia.

The federal health department confirmed that from March 20 the vaccine, sold under the brand-name Vaxzevria, would no longer be available to Australians.

Deakin University Chair in Epidemiology, Professor Catherine Bennett told an Australian news agency that its removal was expected as it had been superseded by other vaccines.

The AstraZeneca vaccine was approved for use in people aged 18 and over as a primary course from February 15, 2021 and as a booster dose February 8, 2022. But from October, 2021, it was available by request only in favour.

The shift away from AstraZeneca was made after official health advice was changed in 2021 to limit its use to people older than 60 over concerns about a rare blood clotting disorder.