It's easy to get confused about what is fact and what is not when guidelines change and social media is going off about recent events regarding the vaccine rollout.
The most important thing to do when making your own informed decisions about this is to get information from authoritative reliable sources.
If you like to watch and or listen to information the NSW COVID-19 update available on YouTube is work a look. A video is helpful because you can go back and repeat any information that you might not understand completely. Dr. Ketaki Sharma explains in depth the thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome situation as the limited data allows. Basically it's a really rare condition. The age recommendation of 50 plus is because in younger groups being vaccinated in the UK the data on incidence shows while still rare is increasing. The panel of experts A/Prof Charlotte Hespe, A/Prof Penny Burns, Dr Kerry Chant, put questions to Dr Sharma, and ask for further clarification.
Despite having a history of varicose veins and a prior blood clot, I'm comfortable getting this vaccine. There is no evidence that people who have had a past history of blood clots, have an increased risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). Only people that have had TTS after the first dose should not have the second dose. There have been no cases reported after the second dose.
This information will allow health professionals to confidently vaccinate their patients and explain clearly to those who have questions. The important message is to also explain the risks associated with the disease being vaccinated against, which in most age groups outweigh the risks of the vaccination.
