Chief Health Officer statement: Adverse reaction linked to AstraZeneca vaccine

Today the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has confirmed a case of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) in a Western Australian is likely linked to the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

We are working closely with our counterparts in the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Northern Territory Department of Health to investigate the case.

The woman, aged in her 40’s, is currently under specialist care in the Royal Darwin Hospital. She received the AstraZeneca vaccine in mid-March in a WA regional hospital.

Due to patient confidentiality, WA Health will not be releasing further detail around this patient. The family has asked for their privacy to be respected but has said the patient was making positive progress and recovering well.

This is the second Australian case of TTS reported to date. More than 700,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been delivered throughout Australia – almost 30,000 here in WA with 5,416 of those in people under 50.

I want to reassure Western Australians that we have stringent vaccine safety monitoring and reporting processes in place – both here in Western Australia and Australia-wide – to detect and respond to any vaccination safety concerns.

WA’s Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee works closely with the TGA to collect and evaluate reports of any suspected side effects reported throughout State’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

WA clinics administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine are now focussed on vaccinating eligible people who are aged 50 years and over.

The AstraZeneca vaccine should only be used in adults aged under 50 where the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks – and with informed consent.

I encourage you to discuss any concerns or questions you may have with your GP before you decide to receive the vaccine.

Dr Andrew Robertson
Chief Health Officer

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