How risky is the AstraZeneca vaccine really?

The World Health Organisation has recommended that people over the age of 18 should take whatever vaccine is made available first, even if they have already had COVID-19 💉

The risks explained

AstraZeneca has been linked to a very rare blood clotting disorder called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS). The misperception of the likelihood of TTS is one of the main reasons why many are hesitant about receiving the AstraZeneca Vaccine.

So, how concerned should you actually be? To help you put things in perspective, we’ve placed the risk of dying from a TTS blood clot side-by-side with the risk of death from other activities.

Comparing the risks of dying

1
in a million
Vaccination with AstraZeneca
UK residents 18-49

Chance of death from TTS / per first dose

ATAGI (2021)
5
in a million
Skiing
US skiiers

Chance of death / per week

ski-injury.com (2014)
29
in a million
Transport by car
Australians

Chance of death / per year

ABS (2019)
50
in a million
One day in New York city during the pandemic
NY residents, May 2020

Chance of death / per day

Roberts, David C, NY Times (2020)
50
in a million
Giving birth
Australian women

Chance of maternal death / per pregnancy

AIHW (2018)
80
in a million
Death from all causes
Australians 30-34

Background risk of death / per month

AIHW (2019)
430
in a million
BASE jumping
BASE jumpers in Norway

Chance of death / per jump

Soreide, Kjetil MD et al (2007)
500
in a million
Catching COVID as a young person
US residents 18-49

Chance of death / per infection

CDC (2020)
90,000
in a million
Catching COVID as an older person
US residents 65+

Chance of death / per infection

CDC (2020)
1
in a million
Vaccination with AstraZeneca
UK residents 18-49

Chance of death from TTS / per first dose

ATAGI (2021)
5
in a million
Skiing
US skiiers

Chance of death / per week

ski-injury.com (2014)
29
in a million
Transport by car
Australians

Chance of death / per year

ABS (2019)
50
in a million
One day in New York city during the pandemic
NY residents, May 2020

Chance of death / per day

Roberts, David C, NY Times (2020)
50
in a million
Giving birth
Australian women

Chance of maternal death / per pregnancy

AIHW (2018)
80
in a million
Death from all causes
Australians 30-34

Background risk of death / per month

AIHW (2019)
430
in a million
BASE jumping
BASE jumpers in Norway

Chance of death / per jump

Soreide, Kjetil MD et al (2007)
500
in a million
Catching COVID as a young person
US residents 18-49

Chance of death / per infection

CDC (2020)
90,000
in a million
Catching COVID as an older person
US residents 65+

Chance of death / per infection

CDC (2020)
Be Safe! Get vaccinated.
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