Don't worry about doctors that can't measure the right dose
coz the government doesn't want you to know what does you are getting
Are we still all rolling up our sleeve for the guinea pig jab
TGA bans pharmacies from revealing which COVID-19 vaccine they offer
Australians will be lining up to receive their COVID-19 vaccine in the coming months, but there is one piece of information pharmacies won’t be able to tell them.
Finn McHugh
NCA NewsWireFEBRUARY 24, 20213:18PM
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Health providers and doctors will be banned from revealing which COVID-19 vaccine they offer as Australia prepares to roll out two jabs at the same time.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has revealed its guidelines for advertising the vaccine, barring health providers from using their own ads to spruik the jab.
It also prohibits GPs, pharmacies and health centres from advertising which vaccine they offer.
The guidelines bar them from revealing “the tradename and/or active ingredient of the specific vaccine or other information that might enable consumers to identify the particular vaccine or the manufacturer of the vaccine”. RELATED:Coronavirus Australia: CMO Paul Kelly says vaccine hesitancy levels are ‘concerning’
The TGA has released its guidelines on advertising COVID-19 vaccines. Picture: NCA NewsWireSource:News Corp Australia
They are free to use government-approved material on the vaccine and provide basic information such as where and when vaccines can be accessed.
But using other promotions, such as a video of patients praising the experience of receiving the vaccine, is banned.
The TGA said an infringement notice was $1,332 for an individual and $13,320 for a body corporate.
But if convicted, a court could impose fines of up to $880,000 or five years, or both.
Businesses are also banned from implying harmful effects could occur from not taking the vaccine.
The first phase of the rollout consists of the Pfizer vaccine, the first approved by the TGA, but will also include AstraZeneca jab from the end of next month.
The TGA has provided examples of what can and can’t be advertised.Source:Supplied
Australian authorities have been eager to play down reports the Pfizer vaccine has a higher efficacy than the AstraZeneca jab.
And the TGA has banned pharmacies from “any comparisons between vaccines (even if supported by evidence)” or “statements or the implication that the vaccine offered is superior to other vaccines”.
The AstraZeneca vaccine will make up the bulk of Australia’s rollout, which the federal government predicts will be complete by October.
Both the vaccines are free.
The measures are in line with previous vaccination campaigns.
Direct advertising of prescription medications and vaccines is already generally prohibited by the TGA, but exceptions are often made for government health campaigns.
