"Concerns Over Blood Clot Side Effects"... Australia Faces AstraZeneca Vaccine Hesitancy

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Sydney Morning Herald, an Australian daily newspaper, reported on the 21st that there is a phenomenon of avoidance of the AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine in Australia.

According to the report, thousands of unused AZ vaccines are being refrigerated due to a lack of vaccination applications at federal government COVID-19 vaccine clinics located in Sydney and regional areas of New South Wales (NSW).

The clinic in Lakemba, southwestern Sydney, which stores 3,000 AZ vaccines, has an average daily vaccination number of fewer than 50 people. Tarek Saleh, the person in charge of the Lakemba clinic, said, "Due to concerns about blood clot side effects, the number of vaccinations has decreased, and we have not ordered new AZ vaccines for over three weeks," adding, "In March, about 100 people were vaccinated per day, but recently it has dropped to around 25."

The vaccine avoidance phenomenon among Australians is also confirmed by public opinion polls. According to a recently released survey, about 30% of Australian adults are reluctant to get vaccinated. So far, 2.1 million AZ vaccines have been administered in Australia, with 24 cases showing blood clot side effects.

Among them, one person died, two are receiving hospital treatment, and the rest are recovering at home. Dr. Sharon Lewin, an infectious disease authority in Australia, urged not to delay AZ vaccination, stating that even if blood clots occur, symptoms are often mild.

Dr. Lewin said, "Unlike six weeks ago, we now know how to diagnose and treat vaccine side effects," and predicted, "More improved treatment outcomes will come in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.