Covid Australia live news update: NSW reports 163 new cases, Victoria 12 and SA one amid arrests at anti-lockdown protests

This is on the basis of the increasing risk of Covid-19 and ongoing constraints of Comirnaty (Pfizer) supplies.

In addition, people in areas where outbreaks are occurring can receive the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine four to eight weeks after the first dose, rather than the usual 12 weeks, to bring forward optimal protection.

The outbreak in NSW continues to grow and the risk of disease, particularly in the greater Sydney area, is likely to continue to be significant over coming weeks.

Atagi reaffirms our previous advice that in a large outbreak, the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca are greater than the risk of rare side-effects for all age groups.

In the context of the current risk of Covid-19 in NSW and with the ongoing constraints on Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine supplies, all adults in greater Sydney should strongly consider the benefits of earlier protection with Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca rather than waiting for alternative vaccines.