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Original poster

If offered a vaccine I'm not happy with can my partner refuse it until another is available?

90 replies

Cheddarcheeseandsodabread · 26/01/2021 17:59

Given that Pfizer can not guarantee protection if the 2nd dose is given more than 3 weeks after the first dose, would my partner (who is due his jab on Thurs) be able to refuse the Pfizer jab if offered, but stay on the 'list' until the Astra Zeneca jab is available instead?

OP posts:
Updatemate · 26/01/2021 20:07

Yes, he can refuse the Pfizer and ask to go on the list for AZ, however AZ is less available and is mainly for those who can't have the Pfizer (certain meds, anaphylaxis etc) so of someone is refusing Pfizer based on choice, they'd go to the back of the list for AZ, as it predominantly for those who don't have a choice.

MintyMabel · 26/01/2021 20:11

Every other treatment, medication, vaccine etc is offered at the discretion of the GP surgery or health board based on their supply chain and what they prefer. I have no idea why all of a sudden people think they know more than the medical professionals and can start picking and choosing treatment.

Next time you’re in with a throat infection will you be questioning which type of anti biotic they prescribe?

FrancesHaHa · 26/01/2021 20:19

DP was oddly given a choice when he went for his (at one of the vaccine hubs). He told them he didn't mind and it was up to them as medical professionals. Not sure this is common though.

CrackOpenTheGin · 26/01/2021 21:04

@MintyMabel

Every other treatment, medication, vaccine etc is offered at the discretion of the GP surgery or health board based on their supply chain and what they prefer. I have no idea why all of a sudden people think they know more than the medical professionals and can start picking and choosing treatment.

Next time you’re in with a throat infection will you be questioning which type of anti biotic they prescribe?

Yes I would actually, and have in the past. I was offered one type of contraceptive pill which was cheaper but often had more side effects so I requested a different type. Why shouldn’t people be allowed to research drugs that they are going to put into their body and decide if/what is right for them?
x2boys · 26/01/2021 21:07

What are the reasons people want the Pfizer vaccine over the Oxford one and vice versa? My parents both had their first vaccine last week ,they had the Pfizer one but they didn't know which one they would get untill the appointment.

caringcarer · 26/01/2021 21:11

If a person accepts appointment, turns up then refuses to.hsve jab because not their preferred one then they should go to bottom of queue. Once vaccines are defrosted they have to be used quickly, especially Pfizer one. If people accept appointment then refuse jab it will not be possible to offer to another person as too short notice for them to get there. We keep hearing this is happening and previous vaccines are being thrown away.

Meredithgrey1 · 26/01/2021 21:27

If vaccine centres don’t know until the day what vaccine they’ll have, how will second vaccines be coordinated?
Will the system change so that vaccine centres know in advance and can book the right people in on the right days? Or will you just have to turn up and hope they have the right vaccine available (to match your first vaccine)?

LIZS · 26/01/2021 21:36

My parents already have appointments for their second dose April, so assume they will only be delivering one type at that centre (community hall).

CrackOpenTheGin · 26/01/2021 21:50

@Meredithgrey1

If vaccine centres don’t know until the day what vaccine they’ll have, how will second vaccines be coordinated? Will the system change so that vaccine centres know in advance and can book the right people in on the right days? Or will you just have to turn up and hope they have the right vaccine available (to match your first vaccine)?
Quite Confused It all seems a bit of a shambles
Davros · 26/01/2021 21:56

3LittleWords
"Davros
I know someone who has been told by her Dr she can't have Pfizer so it must be on record.
Theres a massive difference between cant have and don't want it"

I agree but I think someone UT said what about people who shouldn't have one of the vaccines so I was just saying there is a system for that issue, not just whim

Nacreous · 26/01/2021 22:05

@Meredithgrey1

If vaccine centres don’t know until the day what vaccine they’ll have, how will second vaccines be coordinated? Will the system change so that vaccine centres know in advance and can book the right people in on the right days? Or will you just have to turn up and hope they have the right vaccine available (to match your first vaccine)?
I imagine they'll take the schedule for what they delivered on week X and then deliver it again in week X + 11.

It's definitely chaotic at the moment but I'm not sure anything as logistically complex as this is ever smooth from the get go. This will keep going for a long time and we will get to a point where it's a new business as usual but we aren't there yet.

PuzzledObserver · 26/01/2021 22:42

If it’s common for centres not to know which vaccine they’re getting until it arrives, how the heck are they going to ensure people get the correct one for their second dose? Nightmare!

trulydelicious · 26/01/2021 22:47

@CrackOpenTheGin

Why on earth should people just be expected to be happy with what they get

It's just for now, as there's a need to vaccinate as many people as possible.

I would think further down the line there will be a choice (when it's not such a pressing issue)

ChikiTIKI · 26/01/2021 22:51

My grandma is 94 and hasn't been offered a vaccine yet. However she has agreed with the GP that when they get the Oxford vaccine in, someone will come to her house and give it to her.

She can't get out to a hospital or clinic for the Pfizer vaccine.

JanieLane · 26/01/2021 22:52

On my follow up email with appointment confirmation and my details, there’s lots of info on where to go, what to do, how long etc but just states Covid 19 vaccine, doesn’t state which one.

Perfect28 · 26/01/2021 22:53

I don't get the logic here. Both vaccines are multi dose anyway.

Aalvarino · 27/01/2021 00:27

If he is high enough risk to be prioritised for vaccination and has no history of anaphylaxis then own personal view is that he would be a total wally to turn it down if it wasnt his preferred vaccine. And really quite selfish if he uses up an appointment that could go to someone else.
I'm all for healthy skepticism about medicines and big pharma but in this case either vax is likely to give him a high level of protection after only one dose.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 27/01/2021 01:38

You can know in the day and refuse but when you next get callee up who knows and you can't be on a list saying I only want this jab

Neenan · 27/01/2021 06:21

DD lives and works in major city. She is an NHS worker and could book her slot at one of two sites. One site was giving PZ the other AZ. The PZ site was NHS staff only and on the hospital campus, the AZ one a major vaccination centre for all, a public entertainment site.

She went to the one with the most convenient slot to suit her shifts and got the PZ.

davidsSchitt · 27/01/2021 06:33

"Why not?

Is it top secret information or something?"

No, they just don't necessarily know which one it'll be until it's delivered to them. Are you always so paranoid?

GCAcademic · 27/01/2021 06:36

@Meredithgrey1

If vaccine centres don’t know until the day what vaccine they’ll have, how will second vaccines be coordinated? Will the system change so that vaccine centres know in advance and can book the right people in on the right days? Or will you just have to turn up and hope they have the right vaccine available (to match your first vaccine)?
I think a lot of people won't be getting their second dose. There are going to be supply issues and Whitty was stressing yesterday that a single dose gives 89% protection.
CrunchyCarrot · 27/01/2021 06:50

@MintyMabel Next time you’re in with a throat infection will you be questioning which type of anti biotic they prescribe?

Absolutely, in fact I had cause to do so 2 days ago when I had to ring NHS 111 for a skin infection. The GP I spoke to recommended antibiotics (he didn't push them on me but I knew they are important for that condition or you can risk sepsis). We did discuss the antibiotic prescribed. There are some I simply will not take on any account.

I question every single medication I am prescribed (thankfully not many!) and want to know as much as I can about them. They are going in my body and it's important. I don't understand why others would not want to know, too.

chocolateorangeinhaler · 27/01/2021 06:54

No
And your DP needs to stop being so entitled. 100k dead and they want to be choosy over a vaccine??
The first dose offers the greatest protection, the second just being a booster. Yes you could still catch covid but having the jab will greatly reduce the risk of death or hospital admission.

RoisinD · 27/01/2021 06:55

Can your partner not decide for themselves regardless of whether you're happy or not?

Covidcorvid · 27/01/2021 06:57

@Davros

I got my invitation message yesterday. When I followed the link to book it stated very clearly which vaccine it would be
I had that. And when I got there it was the other one. 🤷‍♀️