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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:
RoisinD · 07/02/2021 09:13

Something to ponder about AZ

www.ft.com/content/e9bbd4fe-e6bf-4383-bfd3-be64140a3f36

trulydelicious · 07/02/2021 10:21

@RoisinD

Would you mind copying an extract, the article is not accessible to all

Original poster
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 07/02/2021 11:05

@trulydelicious although the link doesn't work because of a paywall. if you copy the title from the link and paste into google, you can access it.

googling Oxford/AstraZeneca S African strain also gets you into the same article, and other articles reporting the same research study.

OP posts:
MarinPrime · 07/02/2021 12:56

The media are being a bit "glass half full/half empty" about this.
Some are headlining that AZ prevents serious disease, while others say it doesn't prevent mild and moderate disease.

JanewaysBun · 07/02/2021 13:10

Oh no I'm panicking now as my dad (71) had AZ. No choice but given at a smaller centre

DenisetheMenace · 07/02/2021 19:50

Bookmark

Today 12:56 MarinPrime

The media are being a bit "glass half full/half empty" about this.
Some are headlining that AZ prevents serious disease, while others say it doesn't prevent mild and moderate disease.“

Isn’t it just.

I’m very happy indeed to “only” be protected from serious illness or death, thanks very much.

Mild/moderate I’ll happily live with until the vaccine is updated in the autumn, as expected.

thegreylady · 07/02/2021 19:52

I had Pfizer but am worried about the long wait for second dose

Greycurtainswithdiamonf · 08/02/2021 08:06

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

Of course they tell you. You get given an information leaflet with side effects like you would for any medicine and a batch number. How else can side effects and efficacy be tracked?

Original poster
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 10/02/2021 12:20

@JanewaysBun I wouldn't worry about it too much - loads of people have "only" had AZ - even the recent tests, they're saying its less effective at preventing, but still results in mild rather than serious infection.
I imagine there will be new strains popping up every few weeks (there probably are, but not all detected).

OP posts:
ThornAmongstRoses · 10/02/2021 12:27

I had the Pfeizer last week be quite happy with that. I was given the date for my second dose which will be 10 weeks after my first.

WanderingMilly · 10/02/2021 12:29

I would prefer AstraZeneca if I had a choice, but would take Pfizer as well. It should be my turn before too long.....

TheVanguardSix · 10/02/2021 12:30

Pfizer, all day long.

TheVanguardSix · 10/02/2021 12:32

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

If you have kids and red books, you'll know that they identify every vaccine they use on people. It would be odd if they did not tell us.

Thimbleberries · 10/02/2021 15:06

are deliveries of Pfizer even happening much these days? All the centres that had been using Pfizer near here are now using Astra Zeneca, as that seems to be what they get delivered. The hospital might use Pfizer still but it only does HCP. So most people around here won't get a choice even if they book at venues that normally used one or the other when they first opened. I don't know if that will change as the Pfizer plant starts to increase production again, whenever that is. Anyone know what access to each vaccine is like for the centres?

Bilgepumper · 10/02/2021 16:15

We've just had the Pfizer, along with everyone else at the hub we went to. They were only giving the Pfizer.

Thimbleberries · 10/02/2021 16:28

Oh that's good to know. I wonder why the centres here have stopped getting it.

poshme · 10/02/2021 16:42

WHO now recommend AZ for older people, and a 12 week gap between doses.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN2AA228

Original poster
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 12/02/2021 13:01

well after all the planning.... went to the big centre this morning & had Astra Zeneca - they switched this week because it's a more assured supply for second vaccination.Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 12/02/2021 13:07

The reports of London centres running below capacity is certainly true for the centre I used; I had to wait about five minutes, but only one of the four visible vaccination cubicles was in use when I arrived, and they opened a second as I was leaving - but there'd been a conversation with the woman who vaccinated me that she was finishing shortly.

As I was typing that, the Director of the Institute was on Radio4 news saying they're running at 10% capacity Hmm

OP posts:
Alfaix · 12/02/2021 13:13

I had AZ but didn’t get a choice. I’d love a second dose of Pfizer/ Moderna but would be happy with AZ again.

stuckasastuckthing · 12/02/2021 18:14

I'm not sure you can predict which you're likely to get based on centre. I'm volunteering at a local GP-based hub and it's been a real mixture - this week it was Pfizer for 3 days and AZ for 2, only Pfizer last week, and only AZ the week before. Just depends what available ...

Benny11Letters · 12/02/2021 19:22

The large centre I went to had only just switched from Pfizer to AZ a few days before, which annoyed me a bit as I was aiming for Pfizer. But... what can you do, Im glad I got something and any protection is the name of the game now. Am resigned to a third booster in the autumn along with my flu vaccine.

Once we are through this mass inoculation and we can choose to pay privately for a vaccine I will opt for an mRNA version.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 12/02/2021 19:29

Pfizer. My parents have had AZ and it worries me a bit.

crazykid · 12/02/2021 19:32

What are GP/ small london centres giving at the moment ? Does anyone know ?

nolovelost · 12/02/2021 19:34

I wanted the AZ but was given Pfizer even though I have autoimmune conditions and a penicillin allergy and I've been fine. Apparently I'm fine with both.

The nurse didn't inject me, she stabbed me!! It's not really sunk in yet that I've had it, although the sore arm keeps reminding me!