GENERAL Practice clinics in Ballarat have been fielding a surge of inquiries about the AstraZeneca jab after Prime Minister Scott Morrison effectively gave the green light for under-40s late Monday night.
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But clinics were left without further details on the prime minister's new indemnity scheme, protecting GPs from litigation when administering AstraZeneca to patients with informed consent.
Clinics that spoke to The Courier have been asking patients to wait until there was official advice and processes from the Victorian Health Department and governing body Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
One told The Courier it had made for a particularly busy Tuesday and a heavy bank of phone calls.
Victoria's health department has written to federal authorities seeking clarification on the foreshadowed expansion of the vaccine roll-out to Australians aged under-40. In Victoria, this age cohort has not been eligible for any vaccine, AstraZeneca or Pfizer, unless eligible in a priority group.
Pfizer still remains the recommended vaccine for under-60s due to rare blood clot cases.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said vaccines for under-40s had not been agreed to during Monday night's national cabinet meeting. Minister Foley said there was "a degree of confusion" with GPs but changes would be made quickly and smoothly once supply and indemnity details were sorted.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made clear Victorian adults aged under-40 could not walk up to mass vaccination hubs for a jab - yet. This includes Ballarat Health Services-run clinic based at The Mercure.
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The Premier said he would consider broadening the roll-out to state centres if extra supplies were made available.
BHS' mass vaccination centre remains only accepting AstraZeneca walk-ups for people aged 60-plus, according to the latest information from the health service.
Anyone aged 50 to 60 who has received their first AstraZeneca dose without serious side effects can receive their second shot. Those aged 50-60 and anyone who is eligible for a vaccine aged under-40 are offered Pfizer jabs. All Pfizer vaccines must be pre-booked.
