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<\/span><\/div>06 April 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n Dear colleagues,<\/p>\n Over the Easter long weekend, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on\u00a0Immunisation\u00a0(ATAGI) issued a statement noting that\u00a0one<\/b>\u00a0case of an unusual thrombosis following the AstraZeneca vaccine has been reported to the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) and is currently under review.\u00a0This is one case in\u00a0over 400, 000\u00a0<\/b>doses given.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is being taken seriously, including careful consideration of other\u00a0reports of rare cases of thrombosis associated with thrombocytopenia occurring following administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine overseas. The onset of these reported cases was between 4 to 20 days after vaccination.\u00a0 The incidence appears to be very rare.<\/p>\n ATAGI\u00a0advice<\/b><\/p>\n Clinicians should\u00a0be on alert\u00a0for warning signs of\u00a0this rare\u00a0condition associated with thrombosis and thrombocytopenia\u00a0in the period following vaccination (4 to 20 days).\u00a0This has presented as either central venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) or thrombosis in other sites, such as intra-abdominal venous systems.<\/p>\n CVST may present as:<\/p>\n Patients require an urgent detailed assessment if CVST or another severe thrombotic complication with thrombocytopenia is suspected and the patient has received the AstraZeneca vaccine\u00a0in the previous 4 to 20 days.<\/p>\n Clinical investigations should include a full blood count (to look for thrombocytopenia), a D-dimer, fibrinogen\u00a0and\u00a0relevant\u00a0radiological imaging\u00a0(e.g.\u00a0brain CT or MRI). Patients suspected to have this condition should NOT receive any heparin or platelet transfusions.<\/p>\n For more information you can read\u00a0the\u00a0AstraZeneca vaccine and a specific clotting condition factsheet<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or visit the\u00a0ATAGI website<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Phase 1b vaccinations<\/b><\/p>\n We are now moving into vaccinating the phase 1b cohort. This means the following groups will start presenting at our vaccination clinics:<\/p>\n The Chief Health Officer has also included people living with health workers dealing directly with COVID-19 (I.e.\u00a0working on our COVID-19 wards).<\/p>\n It is an exciting time for people to be able to receive their vaccination, and it is important that we all work together to ensure that people who\u00a0want to access the vaccination can do so efficiently and as soon as practicable.<\/p>\n Receiving vaccination at our hospitals is a healthcare event, and so it is important that these\u00a0people are welcomed into the vaccination clinic\u00a0in an orderly fashion.<\/p>\n Please remember to be kind to one another as we work together to ensure everyone receives their vaccine.<\/p>\n Worked at the Princess Alexandra Hospital between 9 March and 23\u00a0March?<\/b><\/p>\n As you may be aware, there is a historical positive COVID staff member who worked in ward 5D. Contact tracing is being undertaken.<\/p>\n If you entered\u00a0ward\u00a05D\u00a0or visited\u00a05D Outpatients department\u00a0between 9 March (20:00 hours) and 23 March (23:59 hours)\u00a0and you have symptoms<\/i>\u00a0of COVID-19\u00a0you should get tested, and self-isolate until you have a negative COVID test result.\u00a0Your household contacts should also get tested, and self-isolate\u00a0until they have a negative COVID test result.<\/p>\n If you\u00a0entered ward 5D or visited 5D Outpatients Department between 09 March (20:00 hours) and 23 march (23:59 hours) and you\u00a0do not<\/span>\u00a0have COVID-19 symptoms, you should visit a GP this week to arrange a blood test for COVID-19 serology.\u00a0There is no need to self-isolate whilst you are waiting for this blood test or the results.<\/p>\n\n
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