AstraZeneca Accuses TGA of Hindering Efforts to Address Vaccine Hesitancy During COVID-19 Inquiry
AstraZeneca stated that media reporting caused confusion among the public about vaccine eligibility, leading to hesitancy in getting vaccinated.
The company blamed Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for not allowing them to counter the false claims about their vaccine, which impacted its rollout.
In its submission, AstraZeneca highlighted that the risks and benefits of the vaccine were not well understood by politicians, the media, and the general public.
The confusion stemmed from the interpretation of ATAGI’s advice, which was not clearly communicated by the media and public commentators, resulting in misconceptions about vaccine eligibility.
AstraZeneca also criticized TGA’s safety advisory, citing a case of thrombosis in a 44-year-old man after receiving the vaccine.
Despite the confusion, AstraZeneca tried to address media enquiries but faced restrictions due to TGA regulations.
The company emphasized the importance of understanding the advisory roles of organizations like ATAGI and acknowledged differences in clinical opinions among various groups.
Pause in Vaccine Advertising
AstraZeneca mentioned that the health department paused vaccine advertising on April 17, 2021, and later revised the rollout strategy to make it available for Australians over 50.
ATAGI advised against the AstraZeneca vaccine for 50- to 59-year-olds, creating further confusion among the public.
As the inquiry is ongoing, the TGA refrained from commenting on individual submissions at this time.
Despite challenges, a significant number of Australian adults have received the AstraZeneca vaccine, with efforts to minimize waste and ensure vaccine availability ongoing.
Contributions by Monica O’Shea to this report.
