Under-40s rush to fill AstraZeneca Covid vaccination spots

Those under 40 managed to fill vacant vaccination spots at several Canberra clinics this week, however, some of the newly eligible group were forced to ring around due to GP uncertainty.

The National Health Co-op reportedly turned away bookings because they "hadn't heard anything directly from the ACT government" regarding the expansion of the rollout.

In the national address on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said those under 60 who wanted to get the AstraZeneca vaccine were now encouraged to talk to their doctor to make a "risk-based decision".

On Lonsdale Street on Tuesday, Nik Brozinic, 31, said people took bigger risks every day regarding their health than was the current assessment of AstraZeneca's blood clot rate.

"I trust my doctor and if he says I'm a very low risk to have blood clotting I'm not concerned about it," Mr Brozinic said.

A sports coach and real estate consultant, Mr Brozinic said his science background allowed him to make an informed decision, however, misinformation had clearly created uncertainty amongst some people in the community.

"I think most people are just concerned because they probably see more of the three or four cases where the blood clotting occurs and not those thousands and thousands of cases where it doesn't," Mr Brozinic said.

According to Australian Medical Association ACT president, Dr Abhayaratna, the latest report found the risk of blood clotting to be 3.1 cases per 100,000 for under 50s which only dropped marginally to 2.7 per 100,000 for 50-59 year olds for the first dose of AstraZeneca.

"After that the second dose is about 1.5 per million risk," Dr Abhayaratna said.

Mr Brozinic said vaccinating the majority of the population was the pathway to normality.

"Once everybody's vaccinated having a few cases here and there won't mean statewide lockdowns," Mr Brozinic said.

Rye cafe owner Gurmeet Singh said while he welcomed a fast-tracked vaccination rollout, he would wait for the Pfizer vaccine.

"I believe vaccines can turn the situation around and I would love to play my part but I will be quite hesitant to take AstraZeneca," Mr Singh said.

He said he had family in the United States who had all received the Pfizer vaccination safely which had contributed to his decision to wait.

According to the most recent federal figures, supply of Pfizer for the ACT will significantly ramp up in late September, with 34,000 doses projected weekly from October.

Mr Singh said current NSW travel restrictions and mandatory masks in the ACT had dramatically impacted his business in Braddon this week. He said he hoped a vaccinated population would prevent future disruptions.

"We are a small businesses with employees to look after and rent to pay," Mr Singh said. "When we have these lockdowns it affects the business drastically."

Despite being eager to visit loved ones overseas, Mr Singh said he understood the hesitancy to open up the borders.

"We did so well in Australia and managed to flatten the curve so I want to keep it safe here first," he said. "But also I want to travel and getting vaccinated is an important part of that."

Lonsdale Street barber Sez Hatar, 38, said she was eager to get the AstraZeneca and planned to make her appointment this week.

"I just want to get on with my life and not be scared to go anywhere," Ms Hatar said.

"I don't want the drama of not being able to travel, not even interstate, it's annoying."

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