Pfizer or AstraZeneca

[EveryDayIsADuvetDay]

I'm lucky enough to have been offered a choice (well not a direct choice of vaccine, but I can book at a large centre that I know is using Pfizer, or my GP which is AstraZeneca).

What would you prefer, and why?

@TickyTok

No brainer, Pfizer. The RNA vaccines have an effectiveness of 99% after 2 doses. AZ is a traditional vaccine and there's a lot of debate around whether it's 50%-90%. Too huge a range for comfort.

In Europe AZ has not been approved for over 65 due to "lack of data" but many suspect it's because they are worried it's just not very effective and therefore mortality rate will remain high.

It’s political, listen to the science.

With the information we've got so far I'd go for Oxford-AZ. I prefer the technology due to allergies and autoimmune issues. Cheaper and easier logistics too.

I had the Pfizer although I did get to choose I only went for it because of better availability for me. I'm happy with my choice overall. I only got a sore arm.

I reckon the vaccines act pretty similarly. 🤞🏻 So either is good!

Well the 15th is a Monday, they probably aren't doing them at the weekend which is probably what has taken it to 31 days

I'd have either

Didn't have a choice had to have pfizer, unless you had a medical reason that you couldn't have it.

I was meant to get AZ but our stock didnt come in so we were told to go to another trust to have ours done so I ended up with Pfizer. I was initially annoyed as I had done a lot of reading around it all and was keen to have AZ, but I decided I wasnt going to turn it down and wait for an unknown date when my trust would get stock.
Now the UEA have said their research shows Pfizer is 90% effective after 3 weeks (no yet peer reviewed) so am pleased that is what I ended up with as my job means I have a lot of exposure to covid and I am quite scared of getting it as although I am not ECV I do have issues which mean I would be at more risk of dying or at least ending up in ITU

If I had a straight choice, I’d go Pfizer. However, I’ll take whatever is on offer.

In an ideal world, I would have the Pfizer but 3 weeks apart as per manufacturers recommendations but our Gov have decided to ignore that and give it 12 weeks apart so I am hoping that I get the AZ one as there is data that the 12 week gap works better.

If had Pfizer. Every friend and family I know who had AZ had after effects like flu symptoms, nausea and headache. The colleagues who had Pfizer that I know of have all just had an achey arm. It's all individual but I'm
Glad I had the Pfizer.

I think I’d prefer AZ.

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay
I just wonder when you say leave 28 days between positive test and the vaccine,what about if you had COVID without knowing ? And having the vaccine?

Pfizer. But I have an autoimmune condition, so an mRNA is a better option.

Pfizer is more effective so I’d prefer that. I’m really worried because my parents both received AZ and now loads of countries are refusing to give it to people their age because it doesn’t work.

@TheSunIsStillShining I haven’t seen anything published about Pfizer being better for autoimmune conditions? Interested as I have an autoimmune condition myself.

Personally I would prefer the Pfizer, but would gladly take the AZ right now. The Pfizer technology is incredible, and I suspect we'll all be offered a booster mRNA jab type at some point in the future.

However, for affordability and ease of transport to poorer countries and rural areas, the AZ is amazing.

I would choose Pfizer or Moderna and I got Pfizer. The efficacy is absolutely superior and particularly in the elderly. The British media is so pro-AZ it’s ridiculous, making people believe it is the better vaccine. It’s still good, and will make a huge difference in the pandemic, but moving forward I believe we will need routine vaccination and it will be with the mRNA vaccines once supply isn’t an issue.

@TheSunIsStillShining

Pfizer. But I have an autoimmune condition, so an mRNA is a better option.

But I thought mrna vaccines were new? Or is that not the case, do we have an established history that they are better for people with autoimmune conditions 🤔

I had the pfizer and was pleased, have more confidence in the efficiency of it tbh.

In the trials a small % of those who had Pfizer still got serious covid requiring hospital treatment. None in the AZ one. I had AZ and happy about it even though I felt rubbish for 2 days after. The 2nd dose of Pfizer is supposed to have more side effects than 1st dose. Swings and roundabouts I guess!

I didn't care either way. I was given AZ and now very pleased to have had that instead of Pfizer, given the most recent AZ research.

@CyberPixie it was 1 person in a study of 44,000, you can’t compare that to AZ with their lower number of participants.

@MarinPrime if a vaccine with lower efficacy is preventing transmission, then the Pfizer one almost certainly will, they just haven’t done the analysis yet as their primary focus was symptomatic disease.

My parents had the AZ which is the one they wanted.

No idea if that was a good choice or not, this is an interesting thread.

But I thought mrna vaccines were new?

Yes, but so is using modified chimp adenovirus.

I've had an anaphylactic reaction in the past so I think that knocks me out of the pfizer one.