Australia backs Pfizer virus vaccine over AstraZeneca for under-50s

Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison supports the health authorities in its efforts to vaccinate as many as possible people to curb the COVID-19 outbreak. The country recommends the use of Pfizer’s vaccine for people younger than 50 in preference to the shot made by AstraZeneca.

Australia’s government is changing its advice for those deemed most at risk while inoculation with the controversial AstraZeneca vaccine. Pfizer is a new safe option, said the health ministry.

The country began its immunization campaign much later than some other nations because of its few COVID cases, which stand at just under 29,400, with 909 deaths, since the global pandemic began.

Following EMA’s decision to pause the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said Australia would advise health providers to only give a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine to adults younger than 50 when the benefit clearly outweighs the risks.

So far, Australia has ordered 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and PM confirmed said Canberra was in talks to increase the order.