On 23 May 2021, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society of Australia and New Zealand (THANZ) released a joint statement on thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The joint ATAGI/THANZ statement provides further guidance for the AstraZeneca vaccine and reaffirms ATAGI’s previous advice regarding the safe use of AstraZeneca vaccine. It also provides greater clarity on the nature of TTS and narrows the conditions determined to be contraindications for using AstraZeneca.
The Australian Government’s consent form has been updated to include splanchnic vein thrombosis and antiphospholipid syndrome with thrombosis. Translations into other languages will follow in due course.
Our ability to diagnose and treat TTS has significantly improved in recent weeks. Due to better awareness, early diagnoses and appropriate treatment, most people recover from TTS. Guidance on the identification and management of TTS is available from the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society of Australia and New Zealand.