ACT Health is planning to ramp up its delivery of the Pfizer vaccine next month. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
A 66-year-old woman from the ACT is one of seven newly reported cases of blood clots and low blood platelets likely linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine, according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Four cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) – a rare event involving serious blood clots with a low blood platelet count – have been confirmed between 9 July and 15 July.
A further three, which includes the ACT woman, are listed as probable.
One of the seven cases is “critically unwell” in intensive care. All but one case – a 48-year-old woman – were in their 60s or 70s.
ACT Health confirmed that the 66-year-old is well and not in hospital, but would not comment further due to privacy considerations.
The new cases bring the Australian total to 83.
Three Australians have died from clotting related to the AstraZeneca vaccine and 24 have been treated in intensive care.
Six people across the country are currently in intensive care due to clotting.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is only recommended for people above the age of 60 due to the benefits of the vaccine outweighing the remote risks of clotting, according to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, Australia’s peak immunisation body.
The ACT has the second-lowest rate of adverse events from COVID-19 vaccines, recording a rate of 3.5 reports per 1000 doses, behind NSW at 3.1 per 1000.
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