COVID-19 VACCINE SURVEILLANCE
07.10.2021
To 3 October 2021, approximately 28.8M vaccine doses have been given in Australia 17M first doses and 11.8M second doses.
ADVERSE EVENTS REPORTED BY THE TGA
DEATHS
Since the beginning of the vaccine rollout to 3 October 2021, over 28.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given. So far, the TGA has found 9 reports of death that were linked to immunisation from 585 reports received and reviewed. The overwhelming majority of deaths reported to the TGA following vaccination occurred in people aged 65 years and older. The deaths linked to immunisation occurred after the first dose of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) – 8 were TTS cases and one was a case of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
TTS (Clots with low platelets)
In the last week, an additional 3 reports of blood clots and low blood platelets have been assessed as confirmed or probable TTS, bringing the total number of cases to 151.
Current status
Myocarditis / Pericarditis
To 3 October 2021, we have received 218 reports of suspected myocarditis alone or in combination with pericarditis. In addition, we have received 629 reports of suspected pericarditis alone with Comirnaty (Pfizer). In the same period we have received 3 reports of suspected pericarditis alone with Spikevax (Moderna).
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.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
110 cases (1 in 97k doses)
Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
To 3 October 2021, the TGA has received 81 reports of suspected ITP following vaccination. 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. Apart from one fatal case that was assessed by an expert Vaccine Safety Investigation Group as being likely to be vaccine related, suspected cases of ITP have not been definitively linked to vaccination.
Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine
The Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine is now being rolled out in Australia. To 3 October 2021, approximately 167,000 doses have been given. We have received 65 reports of suspected adverse events associated with the vaccine. These were expected reactions consistent with what has been reported in the trials and included injection-site reactions, nausea, headache, dizziness and chest pain.
CLICK HERE to access the Australian Public Assessment Report
VACCINE HESITANCY MONITORING
Operation COVID Shield COVID-19 Vaccine Sentiment Summary
AusVax Safety Surveillance
PFIZER - More than 1% of vaccinees are going to the doctor or Emergency Department after their 2nd dose
ASTRAZENECA - More than 1% of vaccinees are going to the doctor or Emergency Department after their 1st dose
MODERNA - Just under 1% of vaccinees are going to the doctor or Emergency Department after their 1st dose
Are the adverse reactions from the vaccines putting pressure on our healthcare system?
If we are vaccinating at a rate of 1.5 million doses per week (now mostly Pfizer dose 2), that equates to 15,000+ ADDITIONAL PRESENTATIONS TO A GP OR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
VACCINATIONS BY AGE GROUP
