Leaders of Australia's GP's have criticised the Prime Minister's announcement that they can now administer AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines to younger people, without informing the doctors who would need to do it.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said while the news was "welcome", they need "clarity", with surgeries "scrambling", and "phones ringing off the hook".
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced last night that the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has been given to millions around the world, would be opened up to more people.
That includes people aged 18-39 who are not yet officially eligible to be vaccinated in NSW - or anybody else who wants to opt to have it.
There has been hesitancy in older Australians allocated the vaccine due to the one in a million chance of blood clots.
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https://twitter.com/RACGPPresident/status/1409732448737320960?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwThe way was cleared by the Prime Minister's announcement of a no-fault professional indemnity scheme for GPs, which means there will be no consequences to the doctor if anything does go wrong for a patient.
RACGP President Dr Karen Price said the sudden news means GPs have a mammoth task amid the ongoing "difficulties" surrounding the highly-criticised rollout.
She admitted people are being told different things today when they try and book.
"The nation's general practices had no warning of the announcements made last night and are now scrambling to figure out what this means for our patients," she said.
https://twitter.com/RACGPPresident/status/1409639603645026304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"Phones are ringing off the hook at general practices across the country with people trying to book in, but general practices are not yet armed with the advice needed to implement this change in eligibility.
"It makes the job of GPs that much harder when we are trying to get as many of our patients vaccinated as quickly as we can.
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"This is a significant alteration to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and it is vital that general practice is given significant time and support from the Federal Government to implement these changes.
"We have a mammoth task ahead of us and many GPs and staff are already feeling fatigued from facing the many difficulties encountered during this vaccine rollout."
She said the government also needs to clarify if people can also get the jab at state vaccination hubs too.
Earlier this year, medical watchdog the TPG advised that Australia's other approved vaccine, Pfizer was "preferred" for people under 50, and later under 60, leaving people over that age with AstraZeneca.
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Mr Morrison announced last night anybody of any age could now ask for it.
"If you wish to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, we would encourage you to pay, go have discussion with your GP," he said.
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Health Minister Greg Hunt clarified today the health advice had not changed regarding Pfizer being the recommended vaccine for people under 60.
However, he admitted doctors and patients had been making a decision themselves on giving AstraZeneca.
"However, as has always been the case - and I think it is very important to emphasise this on the basis of informed consent - individual patients and their doctors have been able to make a decision to take up the AstraZeneca on the basis of their individual circumstances and their own judgement," he said.
A petition to open the rollout to under 40s had thousands of signatures.
Melbourne woman Sarah Moran, 36, who started the campaign, tweeted "Better late than never," after the announcement.
https://twitter.com/SarahMoran/status/1409643090558611465?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwShe had successfully "begged" for a dose at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Buildings last month.
Mr Hunt said today over 7.5m vaccine doses have now been given out.
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Australia remains bottom in the list of developed counties for vaccinations.
