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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Concerned about having second jab of AstraZeneca

232 replies

LuluJakey1 · 03/04/2021 13:14

I have read all of the stuff about AstraZeneca and blood clots and felt the EU was making a fuss about something the WHO and EMA were saying was not a significant issue.
However, I have become increasingly worried over the last few days when further reports have emerged. They are all linked to AstraZeneca, not to Pfizer.
This is in The Independent which is the first time I have read of the medical profession here recognising it as an issue and warning Drs about it.
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-astrazeneca-vaccine-blood-clotting-doctors-b1826144.html
It raises some very interesting points.

I am worried about having the second jab. I am now feeling the government are trying to sweep it under the table' because they have bought so many doses and could not vaccinate everyone without using AZ.
AIBU to be considering not having the second jab?

What I would like to do is leave it for a while and then have two doses of Pfizer. Does anyone know if that is even medically possible?

OP posts:
Chloemol · 03/04/2021 16:18

I think you need to get some perspective here. It’s 30 people out of 17 million, that about .000018% probability. You have more chance of being knocked over, or dying in a car accident, or catching covid itself

There is no evidence yet to show that AZ caused the clots, and no evidence to show that there are more hospitalisations or deaths because of clots than normal

And don’t forget Pfizer side effects also include clots on the same level, it’s just not been advertised by the EU.

identitytalks · 03/04/2021 16:24

@Druidlookingidiot please don't be rude. I have a serious, serious medical fear over this so please don't say oh the irony as if I have any choice over my phobias.

identitytalks · 03/04/2021 16:26

@serin my issue is I don't want to die suddenly. I would prefer COVID or cancer over brain aneurysm or heart attack. I'd rather be prepared to die that caught suddenly one day. The thought legit terrifies me.

toffeebutterpopcorn · 03/04/2021 16:33

I’m only worried because I had nine about 3 weeks ago and am still so bloody exhausted I could sleep all day. Someone told me that the side effects from doze 2 are more extreme, so I’m just going to tie a label around my neck ‘napping, not dead’.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 03/04/2021 16:38

@toffeebutterpopcorn I've heard the opposite, that the side effects from the second dose are less severe for most people

toffeebutterpopcorn · 03/04/2021 16:39

God I hope so - I’ve never felt so tired in all my life. Is that a platelet thing?

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 03/04/2021 16:42

I'm no scientist and it's only what I've read so please don't back and shout at it if I'm wrong!

MadeOfStarStuff · 03/04/2021 16:45

Unless you never take paracetamol or the pill or antibiotics, or any other medication YABVU

All drugs have side effects. The benefits still massively outweigh the miniscule risk

Twoforthree · 03/04/2021 16:47

I know a healthy woman in her early 40's who died from a blood clot recently...
She had covid at the time and never got the chance to have the vaccine which could well have saved her life.

Vaccines and covid both come with risks. I know which risk I'd rather take. To me, it's a no brainer. I know several people with severe long covid as well as the poor lady who died from the blood clot while battling covid.

LEMtheoriginal · 03/04/2021 16:59

I had my first jab on Sunday. I am.very anxious now. I think its 11 weeks between doses so im.hoping more information comes to light. I am considering not having second jab , ive had confirmed covid and was really ill so im torn by thinking fuck that, i dont want that again and worrying about the fucking blood clots.

I have an anxiety disorder anyway so thiswas always going to worry me. Im 50.

I am scared

Bellringer · 03/04/2021 17:00

Have you got health anxiety or extra risk? Covid is probably a greater risk. You will be at risk if you delay but that should be possible.
Speak to gp and any consultant for your conditions. There are risks but you have to evaluate which is more likely. Anxiety makes us vulnerable too

cariadlet · 03/04/2021 17:11

I've had my first dose, didn't know which one it would be until I got there and it turned out to be the AZ. I had very minor side effects (just my immune system kicking in) and will happily have a 2nd dose.

I think the fears are mainly because a lot of people confuse correlation with causation and most people (myself included) have a poor understanding of statistics.

I found the 20th March episode of More or Less (Radio 4's excellent programme which looks behind the numbers in the news) very helpful and reassuring. You can find it on the bbc website (click on the Sounds tab) or your podcast app.

bitheby · 03/04/2021 17:12

[quote identitytalks]@serin my issue is I don't want to die suddenly. I would prefer COVID or cancer over brain aneurysm or heart attack. I'd rather be prepared to die that caught suddenly one day. The thought legit terrifies me. [/quote]

You know Covid can cause clotting problems and complications include strokes and heart attacks?

Bellablahhole · 03/04/2021 17:46

It's your call - your life and your health, you decide. I'm counting the days until I have my second AZ vaccine. Can't wait!

Stinkywizzleteets · 03/04/2021 17:53

the cases have all been male

No data breakdown has been released about the 30 people in the UK who have had these blood clots. Media have been trying to get that data released.

DinosaurDiana · 03/04/2021 17:54

Had my second today 🎉🎉🎉

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 03/04/2021 17:55

The risk is tiny. I'm absolutely fine with having my second jab - there are far more common risks out there that we run. You are at risk of blood clots if you take the contraceptive pill, after a c-section, if you fly a lot etc etc.

Dee1975 · 03/04/2021 17:57

I think the latest uk stats are 30 cases out of 18m jabs. So to have the clot is v low to start with. And I’m going to assume if you’ve had the first (and not had a blood clot), your chance of getting one on the 2nd is even lower.
I understand the worry. But there are risks with everything. And your chance of getting COVID is higher. (Yes you may not die, but long Covid is what I worry about).

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 03/04/2021 17:59

I think the fears are mainly because a lot of people confuse correlation with causation and most people (myself included) have a poor understanding of statistics.

This.

Also let's not forget:
1)the EU have a very political agenda here and are national leaders are desperately looking for ways to justify to their population why their vaccine rollout is not picking up speed
2) gosh I can't think who would want to discredit the only vaccine being produced at cost that has most potential for global roll out the entire pharmaceutical industry

SchrodingersImmigrant · 03/04/2021 18:03

I know someone whobhad to be put on dialysis when they ended up on ventilator. There is a bigger chance of something like that happening to me than having the clot.

It's good though that the information is out there. Even if it's just 30 cases, hiding them would do absolutely no good. Same like cases with other issues caused by other medicines are out there.

Just a shame about how media (and others) whisked up that "omg we will all probably die" frenzy about it.

Blustered · 03/04/2021 18:51

Mn is so pro vax that you're only going to be told to take it on here.

I'm also concerned about the reports regarding AZ and would prefer Pfizer for now until there is more substantial evidence to show no or an incredibly slim increased risk from clots.

Having said that, you have four weeks and I'm sure more will be known by then.

cariadlet · 03/04/2021 19:03

There is already plenty of evidence that the risk is really slim. There's no need to wait for more evidence.

Listen to More or Less (in my pp) or read the WHO statement. There's also a really good upto date article by Steven Novella in science-based medicine.

GladAllOver · 03/04/2021 19:12

None of the blood clots has actually been attributed to either vaccine, in spite of intensive study. Those people may well have suffered them anyway if they hadn't had it.

Druidlookingidiot · 03/04/2021 19:25

[quote identitytalks]@Druidlookingidiot please don't be rude. I have a serious, serious medical fear over this so please don't say oh the irony as if I have any choice over my phobias. [/quote]
I wasn't rude, your reply was ironic. You said I genuinely would rather die of COVID than risk having a blood clot in my brain

You are far more likely to have a blood clot from Covid than you are from the vaccine.

You do have a choice over your phobias, treatment is available.

MakeItRain · 03/04/2021 19:26

I think the data about clots is concerning. However I have read that if you are ok 20 days after your vaccine the risk of clots disappears. So I think if you had the first jab and were fine after 20 days, then you are one of the vast majority of people who will not get clots as a result of this vaccine, as you would know by now if you were. I think you therefore have little to fear from your second dose.

I don't think in UK we are able to decide which vaccine we have. But I do think in a few months we will have a few more different vaccines available so the chances are people would be offered a different vaccine. I'm not sure you would be eligible for a different vaccine if you've had the first dose of the AZ one though.

You are perfectly within your rights not to have the second dose. My own feeling is that eventually the AZ vaccine will, reluctantly, be withdrawn everywhere for younger age groups. But having said that, I don't think that you would have a reaction to it if you were fine after your first dose Flowers