Australia's Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton says the death this week of a 48-year-old Lake Macquarie woman who developed blood clots after she received the AstraZeneca vaccine is being taken "very seriously".
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He said health authorities and the Therapeutic Goods Administration would investigate the woman's death to determine if it was linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
"The blood clotting that is caused by AstraZeneca is very specific," the minister and federal Member for Parkes said.
"It's not just the general thrombosis so that's still being investigated but having said that this is obviously being taken very seriously".
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Mr Coulton also confirmed the federal government's securing of a total of 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, now the "preferred" vaccine for Australians under the age of 50.
"We're probably going to see that vaccine delivered more towards the end of the year," he said.
"So at the moment we are investigating when this extra Pfizer becomes available and how we are going to ramp up the vaccinations."
Mr Coulton said a possible trial in Cape York in North Queensland would help determine if the Pfizer vaccine could be delivered to regional, rural and remote communities "without breaking any protocols" including keeping it at an extremely low temperature.
"There's been some concern that it won't be suitable for regional areas," the minister said "It looks like it will be actually."
Meanwhile, Mr Coulton is urging people over 50 years of age to get the AstraZeneca jab when eligible and telling of younger people getting a dose, including his daughter who works in the health sector.
"If you have had the first dose without any ill effects, it's quite safe to have the second one," he said.
"The other thing is... if you have had blood clotting before or are concerned in general about health issues, you should always consult your GP before you have the vaccine anyway."
A statement released by the minister's office early this week told of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advising that "the risk of a very specific blood clotting side effect from the AstraZeneca vaccine is four to six in one million people".
Mr Coulton said the AstraZeneca vaccine was "highly effective" at preventing death and severe illness among people who had contracted COVID-19.
"..the incidence of this blood-clotting syndrome is very rare," he said.
For more information about the Australian Government's COVID-19 vaccine strategy, visit health.gov.au.