So far in Australia, we have one blood clotting case in about 100,000 doses given with no real evidence that the vaccination had anything to do with it.
Compare this to a case-fatality rate for the virus of around 3% in Australia.
As for using the Pfitzer vaccine instead of the AstraZeneca one, consider these points.
1. AstraZeneca vaccine is ramping up production in Australia
2. The cold-chain requirements for the Pfitzer vaccine mean it would be much more difficult to distribute in Australia anywhere outside major hospitals.
3. The Pfitzer vaccine has only one manufacturer, and is in short supply. Because it uses new technology to manufacture it, a long lead time and a lot of money is needed to set up to manufacture it, even after negotiations with Pfitzer for a licence. This means supply of it will be very constrained at least until well into next year.
4. The Pfitzer vaccine costs approximately ten times the AstraZeneca vaccine.
So no, I do not think there is a viable alternative available. There will be, but probably not the Pfitzner one. If I had to bet I would guess Johnson & Johnson as it is a one dose vaccine. But it will not be this year, or even early next year.


 
						
					 
					
					 Originally Posted by 4bee
 Originally Posted by 4bee
					
 
				 
				
				
				
				
			 
						
					 
					
					 
						
					 
				
 
				 
						
					 
				
 
				 
			
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