Oxford vs. Pfizer - why are people waiting to get the Oxford Vaccine?

[Raccooons]

Apologies if this has been done already, I had a quick look and couldn't see that it had previously been discussed (if it has, please feel free to direct me to the existing thread).

I'm frontline NHS and my trust has received their delvery of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. It should be offered to me in the coming weeks and I'm very excited about this. I am slightly vulnerable due to being overweight, but otherwise healthy with no allergies or sensitivities to medicines.

I have read about the scientific differences - Pfizer/BioNTech has slightly higher overall efficacy (95 vs 90% when given in the dosages they are licensed for)... Oxford/AstraZeneca can be stored more easily whereas Pfizer is no good if not stored at minus 70 degrees C... Pfizer uses mRna whereas Oxford uses weakened virus.

But I haven't seen anything that places one in favour of the other, clinically. As far as I have read, it seems they haven't been tested "head to head" - so why are there people declining the Pfizer vaccine and choosing to wait for the Oxford vaccine? Are there unpleasant or serious side effects of the Pfizer one that I don't know about?

Is it just people being nationalistic - one Doctor quoted that people were saying "We want to wait for the English one"?

When I saw this I assumed it was because people were concerned that they'd get a Pfizer dose, then there may be supply problems and they be offered Astra Zeneca for the second dose. They'd rather get the one which seems to be more likely to be available. No idea if this is correct though. I'd be astonished if people turned down a vaccine with 95% efficacy because it's not British!

I was also concerned about the dosing schedule change - especially since Pfizer came out and said "we don't agree with that idea". However even before that was announced I've seen reports of people saying they wanted to wait for the Oxford vaccine to be approved and have that instead...

My colleague (nurse) was asking which vaccine I'd had. And was saying she wasn't sure which one to have. I told her she did t get a choice and be grateful she's getting it at all!

Also some may not be able to receive it due to allergies

also heard today in the news (international media) that if you were on anticoagulants you could not get it - though I did not manage to read up on it yet

The above two points are related to the Pfizer one. It wasn't clear, apologies

Surely you don't get to pick your preferrred vaccine like a dish on a menu? I thought you just took what you were offered, unless perhaps there was a known medical reason why you could only have one or the other. You don't normally get a choice in such matters unless going private - which at the moment is not an option for vaccines - do you?

3. They been advised by their doctor to have the Oxford one due to their health condition.

This one. Nothing to do with being “arrogant”, “entitled” or wanting “the English one”. Everything to do with the type of vaccine, my underlying health conditions and my consultants advice.

@GirlsonFilm

I've had frontline NHS staff ask me which vaccine they're getting....my response "Covid".

I simply don't understand it they didn't ask which brand of flu jab they were getting.

I very much hope you’re not a vaccinator with that attitude. I’d be more than happy with either, but recipients should be provided with the recipient information leaflet that will tell them, amongst other things, which vaccine they are having, as part of the consent process.

@trulydelicious

Also some may not be able to receive it due to allergies

also heard today in the news (international media) that if you were on anticoagulants you could not get it - though I did not manage to read up on it yet

The above two points are related to the Pfizer one. It wasn't clear, apologies

Is there a source for that? It contradicts what I've seen on reputable sites eg

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/coronavirus-vaccine-your-questions-answered#warfarin

@GirlsonFilm
When I got mine , the nurse told me without asking as part of the information she gave me. I also got an information leaflet for that vaccine (Pfzizer).
I think it’s quite right people should know. They need to know for the second dose.
I was happy to take whatever was being offered but I do suspect there may be issues with getting my second dose.

I work in a hospital in Greater Manchester and can confirm that some people are declining the Pfizer and saying that they will only have the Oxford. These are people who are in hospital for appointments and are being asked if they would like to get the vaccine whilst they’re here (if they fit the criteria) rather than waiting for their GP clinic to contact them.

One has said they don’t think the Pfizer is safe (they didn’t go into details) and a fair few have said they don’t want a ‘foreign’ vaccine, with one actually using the phrase “dirty foreign”. I told them there’s a possibility that the vaccine their GP clinic offer might not be the Oxford vaccine and they just shrugged and said they would cross that bridge when they get to it.

I haven’t been given any information that states that one vaccine is less effective than the other 🤷‍♀️

Because I have the flu vaccine without any issues, if given a choice, I'd probably lot for the O AZ one. However, if I was told I could have one tomorrow on condition it was the Pfizer one, I'd happily accept it.

The efficacy of the vaccines are obtainable through a quick Google search. The Pfizer vaccine has 94% efficacy after two doses. The Oxford vaccine in its current MHRA dosing schedule has 62%.

@ErrolTheDragon

Is there a source for that? It contradicts what I've seen on reputable sites

I just saw it this morning in the news, it was a question vaccinators were asking in Miami. I'll try and get some information as I was not aware of this either (unless it's a standard question asked in the US before giving any vaccine?)

I’d prefer the Oxford one - largely because I’ve read that it costs £3 per dose as opposed to £15.
But I’ll have whatever I’m offered.

@Br1ll1ant

I think the Oxford one has been produced in the same way as the annual flue vaccines, so people are more confident of its safety.

I also think this is why people prefer the Oxford one. But this reason doesn't make a catchy newspaper headline does it!

Oh, and and also because it’s that much easier to store, so more likely to be available at the GP down the road, where they’re good at socially distanced outdoor queues for vaccines (flu jab earlier) rather than at a bigger centre probably further away.

I didn’t even realise which one our hospital had in stock until one of the outpatients asked. I had to ask management 😂

I genuinely didn’t think people would care which one they received so long as they could have it. But it’s interesting to see other people’s mindsets. I don’t think the nurses are outright telling patients what they are receiving, they just give them the leaflet and the little card, which has the details of the vaccine name and batch on it.

I have to wait for the Oxford one due to having a history of severe anaphylaxis.

Having said that, someone told me the other day this was no longer the case. Not sure if it’s true though!

I’ve got multiple allergies including a history of anaphylaxis with childhood vaccinations. I’d prefer to have the one that will put me a minimum risk if possible.

Do we get a choice.

Some people I know who have decided to wait said it was because of the Oxford vaccine is closer to traditional immunisations that we know the long term effects of. More specifically the fact the original guidance for the Pfizer vaccine said to delay trying to conceive for 3 months after second dose, that the effect on fertility was unknown. Originally not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding either. This guidance has changed slightly but some just feel safe going for something closer to a traditional vaccine. Now that the dosing schedule is delayed by 12 weeks that could also play a part- not only because Pfizer have come out against this but you are also now asking these people to wait 6 months between their first dose and trying to conceive.

@ErrolTheDragon

If you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin, or a new anticoagulant, the bleeding may take a little longer to stop and you may get more bruising on your upper arm. Let the healthcare professional giving you the vaccine know beforehand if you are taking an anticoagulant

You are correct. You can still have the vaccine but you need the vaccinator know

@ktld

I have to wait for the Oxford one due to having a history of severe anaphylaxis.

Having said that, someone told me the other day this was no longer the case. Not sure if it’s true though!

Is that to vaccinations or just allergies in general?

I only ask because I had my vaccination on Tuesday, and I have general allergies that causes anaphylaxis. I told the nurse this and she consulted the hot line. They told her they could give the Pfizer so long as I hadn’t had adverse reactions to vaccinations in the past (which I hadn’t).

Obviously this is irrelevant if it is vaccination induced!

It’s a more traditional technology, so I think some view it as “safer”.

I would prefer the Oxford but will take what I’m given.

1. Slight worry it may not have been stored at correct temp throughout.
2. Bigger worry that it wasn’t designed or tested for the delay now necessary for the second jab.

However I’ll be happy to have it. I will hope to get the Oxford one.