COVID-19 VACCINE SURVEILLANCE
21.10.2021
To 17 October 2021, approximately 32.7 million vaccine doses have been given in Australia – 18.3 million first doses and 14.4 million second doses.
ADVERSE EVENTS REPORTED BY THE TGA
Since the beginning of the vaccine rollout to 10 October 2021, over 30.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given.
DEATHS FOLLOWING VACCINATION
612 deaths reported to the TGA closely following COVID-19 vaccination
9 deaths directly caused by Covid-19 vaccination
As at 17 October 2021, approximately 32.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given.The TGA has found 9 reports of death that were directly linked to immunisation from 612 reports received and reviewed.
The deaths directly attributed to vaccination after the first dose of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) – 8 were TTS cases and one was a case of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
ADVERSE EVENTS REPORTS OF UNDER 18s
To 17 October 2021, we have received 1040 reports in individuals under 18 years old after vaccination with Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna). The most commonly reported reactions are dizziness, fainting (syncope) and feeling faint (pre-syncope), nausea and chest pain.
MYOCARDITIS AND / OR PERICARDITIS
TGA analysis of Australian data indicates there is a higher-than-expected number of cases of myocarditis in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated individuals for Comirnaty (Pfizer).
To 17 October 2021, The TGA has received:
- 312Â reports of suspected myocarditis alone or in combination with pericarditis,
(43 of these reports in adolescents (12-17 years-old).
- 836 reports of suspected pericarditis alone, with 47 of these reports in adolescents.
In the same period for Spikevax (Moderna), we have received
- 5 reports of suspected myocarditis and
- 28 reports of suspected pericarditis.
(2 of the pericarditis cases were in children – both boys aged 12 and 16 years)
Recently, Sweden and Denmark have temporarily paused the use of Spikevax (Moderna) for those aged under 31 and 18 years respectively, based on a study in progress carried out by Danish, Norwegian and Finnish public health agencies. The final report from this study is due in a month’s time. At this time, the European Medicines Agency approval of Spikevax (Moderna) for people over 12 years of age has not changed.
TTS (Clots with low platelets)
We are also closely monitoring rare reports of blood clots with low blood platelets (also called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome or TTS) linked to Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca). In the last week, 4 additional reports of blood clots and low blood platelets have been assessed as probable TTS, bringing the total number of cases to 156.
New Cases this past week
Overall Status
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
131 cases (1 in 97k doses)
To 17 October 2021, the TGA has received 131 reports of suspected GBS occurring after vaccination with Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) giving a reporting rate of approximately one cases for every 100,000 people vaccinated.
Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
To 17 October 2021, the TGA has received 85 reports of suspected ITP following vaccination with Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) giving a reporting rate of less than one case for every 100,000 people vaccinated. These patients had an extremely low platelet count, and signs of thrombocytopenia which may include unusual bruising, a nosebleed and/or blood blisters in the mouth. Their symptoms occurred in a timeframe that suggested they could be linked to vaccination and no other obvious cause was identified based on the information provided to TGA.
ITP can occur when the immune system is activated and mistakenly destroys platelets which help blood to clot. This can happen sometimes after a viral infection or vaccination. In many cases it is mild with up to a third of people having no symptoms at all, or only minor bruising. However, about 5% develop severe bleeding.
Third Dose (Booster)
Australians who are severely immunocompromised are being encouraged to contact their GP or specialist to discuss the possibility they may require a third COVID- 19 vaccine dose to boost their protection to the highest level.
This follows advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and other leading vaccination and health experts.
It is expected up to approximately 500,000 people in Australia who are severely immunocompromised may need a third dose of vaccine over the coming months.
CLICK HERE to access the Australian Public Assessment Report for Spikevax (Moderna)
VACCINE HESITANCY MONITORING
Operation COVID Shield COVID-19 Vaccine Sentiment Summary
VACCINATIONS BY STATE
1 in 4 people from QLD, WA, & NT have NOT had their first COVID-19 vaccine dose!!
SA is not very far in front at only 77.7% receiving their first dose.
VACCINATIONS BY AGE GROUP
