Chief medical officer confident in both jabs
AUSTRALIA’S Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly proudly declared he would be happy with any jab and has staunchly defended AstraZeneca.
But Professor Kelly on Sunday instead rolled up his sleeve for the Pfizer vaccine.
Opting for a demonstration of “confidence” in Australia’s vaccine program from day one, he joined Scott Morrison to receive the highly effective mRNA jab produced by Pfizer and BioNTech.
“I believe both vaccines are safe, effective and will save and protect lives and would have been more than happy to receive either if they were available today,” Professor Kelly said.
After months disputing efficacy concerns around the AstraZeneca Oxford University jab and calling it “equal” to the Pfizer option, Professor Kelly decided to show confidence in the latter as it was the first available.
He and his commonwealth health colleagues have long defended the AstraZeneca vaccine after initial reports its efficacy was about 62 per cent, pointing to the fact it remained 100 per cent effective against serious illness and death. New research has since shown with a 12-week gap between two doses, the efficacy of AstraZeneca’s jab has jumped to about 82 per cent, which was described by the head of the TGA, John Skerritt, as “no difference” to Pfizer’s 90 per cent when considered in the “real world”.
As soon as the shipments arrive, it is expected Health Minister Greg Hunt and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will line up for the AstraZeneca vaccine.