Canavan calling for pause to AstraZeneva rollout

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Nationals Senator Matt Canavan is calling for Australia to pause its rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine after multiple European countries suspended the jab over health concerns - stressing they had to ensure "the cure is not worse than the disease."

Germany, France and Italy have joined an increasing number of countries halting their vaccine rollouts to investigate a series of incidents involving blood clots.

“I don’t see how we could continue when basically the whole of Europe is worried about this particular vaccine … I don’t think all the capitals of Europe have been overtaken by anti-vaccine zealots, there’s obviously legitimate concerns here,” Mr Canavan said.

“Given that we’re a country where there is not really an imminent threat of coronavirus, I just don’t see how the risk of the vaccine … is better than suspending right now and seeing what evidence comes out from Europe.

Speaking to Sky News today, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said there would be no plans to stop the rollout, with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also pointing to health advice which touted the safety of the jab.

“I think the health advice from Europe is not irrelevant to our own country, I’ve got great respect for our own health authorities but I don’t think they’re infallible,” Mr Canavan responded.

“So I just don’t think we can close our eyes to this evidence and I’m worried that we are encouraging a culture of suppression of any concerns about vaccines.

“We shouldn’t suppress legitimate issues and legitimate concerns and clearly there are legitimate concerns and issues given the decisions that have been made by almost every European country.

“If there are serious health risks or outcomes from the treatment, we’ve got to make sure the cure is not worse than the disease.”

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