As Western Australia's Chief Health Officer, I would like to reassure you of the continued safety of the vaccination program and indeed the AstraZeneca vaccine.
My advice follows that of Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly confirming the Australian Government remains confident in the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and there is currently no evidence that it is linked to blood clots.
More than 11 million people have been vaccinated in the United Kingdom with the AstraZeneca vaccine to date, without evidence of an increase in blood clots.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) undertook a rigorous assessment of COVID-19 vaccine prior to use in Australia and approved the use of both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines.
Stringent vaccine safety monitoring and reporting processes are also in place across Australia to detect and respond to any vaccination safety concerns. To date, no data from Australia or any other international jurisdiction can confirm that the AstraZeneca vaccine has caused blood clots.
We will continue to monitor the situation.
It is important that all Western Australians continue to get vaccinated when they are eligible to do so. Making safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available to all Australians is a key component of Australia's strategy for protecting the Australian community from COVID-19.
By getting vaccinated, you can help to reduce the spread of infection and severity of illness if you are infected. You will also be providing vulnerable people, especially those with compromised immunity, protection against the illness.
Dr Andrew Robertson
Chief Health Officer
