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Original poster

Pfizer or AstraZeneca

117 replies

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 03/02/2021 19:42

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?

OP posts:
ChloeCrocodile · 04/02/2021 17:41

I'd choose AZ. The effectiveness is reportedly lower but they were testing for asymptomatic cases. So it is the reliability of supply that swings it for me.

PaulaPilates · 04/02/2021 17:56

I’m very glad DS and I were given the Pfizer one. We didn’t know which one we’d be getting until we got there.

I really didn’t fancy the chimp one I must say!

Original poster
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 05/02/2021 19:49

@Washingmyself - a friend who'd had covid told me that he'd booked a vaccine but they'd refused to do it and asked him to rebook after the 28 day window, plus when the GP receptionist called, she offered a vaccination appointment and then said "oh no, you can't have it until 28 days after your positive test".

I know the central COVID system isn't brilliantly linked to GP surgeries, so I'd emailed test results for them to add to my records.

One website I saw suggested a 90 day interval, NI Public Health website (I'm not in NI, but came up when I googled, and seems a trustable source) said 28 days, as does the Oxford University website.

The GP surgery is unlikely to be operating at the weekend, but she said call on 15th to book an appointment, so I think I'll go with the online booking at the central vaccination centre rather than the GP. (& thus probably Pfizer)

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 05/02/2021 19:56

So is the AZ better if you have autoimmune disease ? ( I also carry Epipens so probably that will be the one suggested anyway I imagine ?)

Original poster
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 05/02/2021 20:04

@Glenchase

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.
I;m not sure AZ doesn't work, just that there weren't many older people in the test sample - and possibly a political point scoring as much as around the science. I used to work for an organisation the tested HIV and AIDS drugs - typically the first test cohorts would be the most 'mainstream', and then expand to widen the trial - because the testing of COVID vaccine has been very speedy, they've yet to 'test' effectiveness on the elderly in a clinical trial setting.

I'd be really interested to see if there is a declining efficiency by age in the groups they do have results for - so do over 50s have a marked drop in efficiency of vaccine compared to over 40s, etc. It's not an absolute answer, but it would be an indication.
Our govt have done some daft things over the last year, but I can't imagine they'd spend so much rolling it out if they didn't have reason to believe in it's effectiveness.
I'm under 60 anyway, so not personally too worried, but in your position I wouldn't worry about it too much on your parents behalf.

OP posts:
lovemirage · 05/02/2021 20:10

I prefer Sputnik V if it comes available. My parents may well end up getting it knowing how badly EU has done.

Zem74 · 05/02/2021 20:22

Following as I am getting vaccine this weekend and believe they are using AZ where I am going for it
Don’t like the sound of the new technology for Pfizer, but don’t like the whole chimp thing for AZ and all I’ve read is horror stories about the side affects and how poorly it makes you!
Feel lucky I have the chance to get the vaccine early (I’m only 30, CEV) but also feel so worried Sad

Anothermother3 · 05/02/2021 20:25

I think Pfizer which is what I got but I hope I can have the same again for the second dose. There has been a recent study based on the Israel data that says 1 dose of Pfizer provides 90 percent immunity after 21 days which is promising although as yet not peer reviewed.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.01.21250957v1#disqus_thread

PrincessNutNuts · 05/02/2021 20:37

My parents had AZ.

Because the FDA hasn't approved AstraZeneca yet,

and France's Health Authority said that the AZ vaccine should not be used for people over 65 and more studies were needed before it was rolled out to older age groups,

and Germany, Austria, Sweden and Poland only recommend AZ for people under 65,

and Italy and Belgium only authorised it for those under 55.

and Switzerland has ruled against approving the AZ vaccine for any age group because the Swiss medical regulator said there was not enough data yet on safety, effectiveness and quality

I wish my parents had had the Pfizer-BioNTech.

Personally I'd like Pfizer or Moderna

PrincessNutNuts · 05/02/2021 20:47

When I took Auntie for her jab they had both vaccines but it had already been decided in advance who had what.

They were given a card on arrival with it written on.

I don't know who decides, or how.

She was given the AstraZeneca. Most of the older people there seemed very pleased to get "the English one".

mootymoo · 05/02/2021 20:48

That reminds me, must endure my new doctor realises I've had reacts to second line antibiotics in the past and also check my blood pressure, I know it's high, and it might get me onto group 6! Finally seen an advantage of my family's genetics (all women even the skinny ones have high blood pressure)

Dementedswan · 05/02/2021 21:29

Mootymoo. I'm not sure high blood pressure alone gets you into group 6? I'll be pleased if it does as a fellow sufferer.

Davros · 06/02/2021 13:45

all I’ve read is horror stories about the side affects and how poorly it makes you!
I had Ox-AZ and, not only did I not feel a thing not even a scratch, I had no after effects at all. I am 61, CEV and not the best of health generally

JuliesIpad · 06/02/2021 14:02

@Davros

all I’ve read is horror stories about the side affects and how poorly it makes you! I had Ox-AZ and, not only did I not feel a thing not even a scratch, I had no after effects at all. I am 61, CEV and not the best of health generally
Same here. However it seems to me that younger people who perhaps have stronger immune systems are more likely to react. DS 22 (NHS staff) had 24 hours of feeling fluey after the AZ as did his friend of the same age after the Pfizer.
CoffeeWithCheese · 06/02/2021 17:14

I got the choice based on which centre I booked into -I went for the AZ one purely as it was at the hospital on the outskirts of the city and the other one was in the middle of Satan's Own One Way System.

Felt a bit like I had a hangover for a couple of days.

Original poster
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 06/02/2021 19:15

booked! - Friday 12th
I went for the large centre in the end, so all indications are that it will be Pfizer.

OP posts:
poppycat10 · 06/02/2021 19:19

How do you know which they are using? How odd that they say.

I know the housebound are being vaccinated with the AZ but that's because it's easier to transport. But otherwise?

I'll take what I am given and be grateful for it (I don't have any obvious allergies).

Original poster
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 06/02/2021 19:19

oddly, when i went to book, I got an error message saying that I'd missed my original appointment - but I'd not made one previously Hmm
I went into the system, but it only seemed to let you select the next five days, so I exited without booking, as I had to wait the 28 days from my positive test.
Did anyone else get that?

OP posts:
poppycat10 · 06/02/2021 19:20

Most of the older people there seemed very pleased to get "the English one

Oh for goodness sake.

Original poster
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 06/02/2021 19:25

@poppycat10 Twitter - everyone that mentioned being vaccinated at that centre said in tweets they'd had Pfizer, as did a couple of people I know that have already been vaccinated there.
My original assumption was that it would be Pfizer there because it's a large centre, but followed up with the other routes.
As others have said above, it may change, but seems a fair certainty.

OP posts:
Gooseysgirl · 06/02/2021 19:26

I would have taken whichever was offered, but my choice would be Pfizer and as it happens that's what I ended up with.

DenisetheMenace · 06/02/2021 19:27

Honestly don’t mind, happy with either. At a push, suppose AZ for continuity of supply viz second jab.

Nonamesavail · 06/02/2021 19:30

I'm allergic to penicillin but no reaction after Pfizer.

2pinkginsplease · 06/02/2021 21:52

I’ll take whatever one I was offered, I really want back to some sort of normality and i see the vaccine as a step in the right direction.

My mum had her first jab today, she had the Pfizer, the nurse asked if that was ok and she said any one was ok And he said people have turned it down as they want the AstraZeneca! Madness.

MadameBlobby · 07/02/2021 00:14

@2pinkginsplease

I’ll take whatever one I was offered, I really want back to some sort of normality and i see the vaccine as a step in the right direction.

My mum had her first jab today, she had the Pfizer, the nurse asked if that was ok and she said any one was ok And he said people have turned it down as they want the AstraZeneca! Madness.

My mum and dad had the Pfizer the other day, they said the nurse told them some people are complaining as they want the AZ.