ASTRAZENEVA VACCINE APPROVED FOR AUSTRALIA
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* The Therapeutic Goods Administration has granted provisional approval to AstraZeneca for its COVID-19 vaccine, meaning it can now be supplied in Australia.
* It will initially be imported before supplies start coming out of CSL's facility in Melbourne.
* Two doses will be needed, ideally separated by a period of 12 weeks.
* AstraZeneca will need to continue providing information to the TGA on longer term efficacy and safety from ongoing clinical trials.
* The vaccine has been shown to prevent COVID-19 however it is not yet known whether it prevents transmission or asymptomatic disease.
* Elderly patients over 65 years of age showed a strong immune response in clinical trials but there were too few participants infected by COVID-19 to conclusively determine the efficacy in this age group. However there are no safety concerns in this age group.
* The TGA says the decision to immunise an elderly patient should be case-by-case with consideration of age, co-morbidities and their environment taking into account the benefits of vaccination and potential risks.
* The TGA says of the vaccine: "Australians can be confident that the TGA's review process of this vaccine was rigorous and of the highest standard."
Australian Associated Press
