Australia has a staggering six million AstraZeneca doses NO ONE will take after Scott Morrison announced anyone over 16 can get Pfizer at the end of the month
Australia has a staggering six million unwanted AstraZeneca vaccines stockpiled after the prime minister announced over 16s will be eligible for Pfizer at the end of the month.
Scott Morrison addressed the nation on Thursday stating that anyone over the age of 16 would be eligible for the preferred American-produced jab from August 30.
That announcement has unwittingly resulted in thousands of residents cancelling their AstraZeneca appointments despite national rates topping just 28 per cent.
Doctors are concerned the vaccines could go to waste after the national recommendation prematurely designated under-60s to seek the Pfizer jab, leading to the country languishing behind the rest of the world in jab rates.
'It is still going to be some time before people will be able to get their Pfizer and we've got an active Delta in the community, which is a dangerous and life-threatening disease,' president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Karen Price told SMH.
Australia has a staggering six million unwanted AstraZeneca vaccines stockpiled after the prime minister announced over 16s will be eligible for Pfizer
Scott Morrison announced Thursday anyone over the age of 16 would be eligible for the American-produced jab from the end of the month
Australia began producing AstraZeneca vaccines after designating the Oxford University development as the nation's best chance to fight Covid going forward.
Cases of rare blood clotting saw the federal and some state governments backflip, recommending only people over 60 seek the jab - leaving Australia exposed to the virus as the rest of the world opened up.
Victoria Premier Dan Andrews said cancelling appointments over the PM's announcement was misguided, saying he was yet to be informed as to when the Pfizer vaccines will be available.
'Please don't cancel a booking, please don't be a no-show,' he said in the state's daily coronavirus press conference on Friday.
'If you've got a vaccination appointment, please turn up and get it. I wouldn't be banking on anything being here in two weeks.
'I haven't seen that stock. Is it even here? I hope that by the end of the month, 16-to-39-year-old's can get Pfizer - I don't know whether they will be able to.
'The best vaccine is the vaccine you can get today.'
Cases of blood clotting then saw the federal and some state governments backflip, recommending only people over 60 seek the jab while everyone else get Pfizer
Australia have sent 1.6million AstraZeneca vaccines to neighbouring and at-risk countries including Fiji, Papua New Guinea and East Timor as they battle their own Covid crises.
Experts are urging Aussies to consider the AstraZeneca jab and speak to healthcare professionals for their own specific advice if they have any concerns.
Many vaccines are available in clinics and pharmacies around the country and are taking walk-ins.
The vaccine has a 92 per cent effectiveness against recipients being hospitalised, experiencing severe symptoms and death.
AstraZeneca changed its name in Australia to Vaxzevria on Thursday, the same name it is referred to in Europe.