Advice could change on AstraZeneca jab amid Sydney COVID-19 outbreak
Australia's vaccine advisory body is considering changing its advice on the AstraZeneca jab, given the worsening situation in Sydney.
Mass vaccination clinics in New South Wales will start giving the AstraZeneca vaccine to people under 40.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) had previously recommended the jab be limited to people over 60, due to concerns of very rare blood clots.
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Advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine could change after the Sydney outbreak. Getty
In a statement to 9News, the Department of Health said ATAGI had met today to discuss the vaccine.
"(ATAGI) continues to review its advice around AstraZeneca, along with updating materials and advice for health practitioners," the statement read.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg also met with Federal Cabinet ministers on Monday night to talk about providing more financial and mental health support for Australians subject to lockdowns which last more than two weeks.
The New South Wales treasury is designing an "easy to access" business cash flow boost which the Commonwealth will jointly fund.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated more support is forthcoming for businesses. 9News
"We're expecting some final proposals to come up later this evening, and then of course the Premier and I and Treasurers will meet again, I think we're getting pretty close," Mr Morrison said.
"We're moving swiftly but you've got to make sure you get that design right so that it's simple, very simple for businesses, and it's rapid."
An emergency health support package was announced by the Federal Government today.
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It will deliver one million surgical masks, 250,000 gloves and 250,000 gowns to seven primary health networks across Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley and New England.
"The stresses that families, workers, businesses are facing are really significant," Health Minister Greg Hunt said.
"These are supports to assist people through the difficult, challenging lockdown period.
"We've done this before, we've done this nationally, we've done this in other states and territories."
Minister Hunt said 6.8 million people have had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, translating to 33 per cent of the nation.
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