Two Australians die from rare blood clotting disorder after receiving first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine
Two more Australians have died of a rare blood clotting disorder in the past week after receiving a first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) today confirmed in its COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report that a 44-year-old man from Tasmania and a 48-year-old woman in Victoria had died.
Both cases were confirmed to have had thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome – or TTS – which is triggered by the immune system's response to the AstraZeneca vaccine and is different from other clotting conditions.
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The AstraZeneca vaccine has been linked to six deaths in Australia, five with TTS and one with another condition called ITP. LightRocket via Getty Images
"Sadly, this week we were notified that two confirmed cases of TTS after the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine were fatal," the TGA noted in its report.
"One was in a 44-year-old man from Tasmania and the other was in a 48-year-old woman from Victoria (this case was reported as probable TTS in last week's report).
"The TGA extends its sincerest condolences to their families and loved ones."
Since the beginning of the vaccine rollout in Australia, a total of five deaths from TTS have been reported out of 6.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
All five deaths were related to the first dose of the vaccine.
A sixth death has also been linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
This was confirmed to be a case of immune thrombocytopenia or ITP.
READ MORE: 'I cannot control what ATAGI advises': PM's testy exchange with reporter over vaccine messaging
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has appealed to ATAGI to change their advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine to make it available to younger Australians. Sydney Morning Herald
Yesterday Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was making a "constant appeal" to the vaccine advisory group to change its advice and recommend the AstraZeneca jab to younger Australians.
"It's for [ATAGI] to now constantly reconsider how that balance of risk applies, and provide their advice accordingly," he told journalists during a media conference at the Lodge.
"The situation Australia faces should be managed on the balance of risk as ATAGI has said to me in the past."
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