‘I cannot control what ATAGI advises’: PM’s testy exchange with reporter over vaccine messaging
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The Prime Minister has a “constant appeal” to the vaccine advisory group to change its advice and recommend the AstraZeneca jab to younger Australians.
But Scott Morrison bristled when questioned over mixed messaging around AstraZeneca since he accepted the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommendation in April, and why it was okay to ‘appeal’ for advice to be changed now.
ATAGI has made two separate recommendations, preferring the AstraZeneca jab only be given to people over 50, then over 60.
“I cannot control what ATAGI advises,” the Prime Minister said.
‘It’s for them to now constantly reconsider how that balance of risk applies’
“Are you suggesting that the government when advised by the technical and advisory group on immunisation, some of the most senior level scientific medicos in the country, tell the government that the preferred vaccine for people of particular ages is 50 then they changed it to 60 that the government should refuse that advice?”
“You’ve just said there’s a constant appeal for them to change that advice,” quizzed the reporter.
“Well, sure they’re the ones…they’re the ones who make medical assessments,” the Prime Minister said.
“All through this we have listened carefully and been guided by that medical advice”.
Mr Morrison argues the risk profile has changed, and the advice should too.
“It’s for them to now constantly reconsider how that balance of risk applies, and provide their advice accordingly,” he told journalists during a media conference at the Lodge.
“The situation Australia faces should be managed on the balance of risk as ATAGI has said to me in the past.”
On April 8, the day ATAGI was considering it’s first advisory, Health Minister Greg Hunt said he had told them “to give your advice, fearlessly and frankly”.
“These are difficult moments for government but we haven’t hesitated in taking those difficult decisions.”
Hours later that advice came back and a late-night media conference was called by the Prime Minister.
“We’ve always taken the time to ensure we get that advice, consider it carefully and make decisions in the best interests of Australians,” Mr Morrison said as he announced the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation had issued an advisory that AstraZeneca was preferred only for those over 50.
“What I said is that we would seek the medical expert advice, and that is ATAGI. That’s what they’re there for,” he said.
Mr Morrison’s language around ATAGI has ramped up in recent weeks, with concerns over hesitancy with the Melbourne-manufactured jab because of the changes in advice from the advisory group.
“We’re about two months behind where we’d hope to be and where we’d plan to be as a result of the ATAGI advice on AstraZeneca,” the Prime Minister said on The Today Show last week amid criticism his rollout was way behind other parts of the world.
ATAGI’s weekly meeting on vaccines is being held today.