Which vaccine should I choose?

[Serendipity09]

I have just been sent the link for my Covid vaccine, I'm 44 but have underlying health problems and am a carer.
I wasn't expecting to be given the choice about which vaccine to choose before I book!
So now I have no idea....initially I was all for the more natural Oxford vaccine as opposed to the synthetically made Pfizer vaccine, but now studies seem to show that Pfizer is more effective?
I do have allergies, not severe, but moderate I would say - although that doesn't seem to be so much of a worry with Pfizer now?
I really didn't mind which one I was having, just felt pleased to be having it, but now I've been given the choice, I feel anxious about it!!
Any wise words please?

I haven’t heard of anyone in the UK being offered a choice of vaccine. Although in some areas people are being offered a choice of venue.

Do you live in the UK?

My wise words are - don’t over think it, there is no research into people with pre-existing conditions reacting better to certain vaccines.

Although for older age groups, some ‘experts’ belief the Pfizer might offer better protection. This is because the original testing groups did not have many test subjects in the older age groups for AZ.

If offered the choice I would have the Pfizer, but I think in reality there is little difference, and it’s possible the AZ will offer better protection with the 12 week gap taking place in the UK.

Just get the vaccine as soon as possible.

I don't think you get offered a choice. Why on earth would they do that? You get whatever has been delivered that day if it's the first vaccination.

yes, in the UK. When I follow the booking link I have to choose which vaccine I want before it brings up the dates.

This is it, I really don't mind which one I have, and I don't want the choice, but just being given the choice makes me anxious! There are appts for tomorrow so I will be having it asap :)

@Belladonna12

I don't think you get offered a choice. Why on earth would they do that? You get whatever has been delivered that day if it's the first vaccination.

Definitely have to choose before I can book. It says 'if you are over 16 and would like to book Pfizer vaccine click here', and 'if you are over 18 and would like to book AZ/Oxford vaccine click here'.

I'd have Pfizer if given the choice.

@grapewine

I'd have Pfizer if given the choice.

I'm definitely swaying that way...

You definitely cannot choose which vaccine:

www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/northern-ireland-covid-19-vaccination-programme/covid-19-vaccination-programme

epilepsysociety.org.uk/vaccine

I guess you have misread the option to choose where ... or are being vexatious?

@SilverBirchWithout

You definitely cannot choose which vaccine:

www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/northern-ireland-covid-19-vaccination-programme/covid-19-vaccination-programme

epilepsysociety.org.uk/vaccine

I guess you have misread the option to choose where ... or are being vexatious?

Erm...I definitely can!

I'd go for the Oxford.
I'd be worried about getting my second jab in the recommended timescale if I'd had the pfizer and it being rendered useless if I was made to wait 6+ weeks.
I'd also be worried about the availability when it comes to second jab.

I'd click through both and pick the one with the soonest appointment and the most convenient travel/parking.

For those post saying that you can’t choose, in some cases you definitely can. I am entitled to one through work (NHS), and was given the choice of two different venues. The instructions were very clear that one does Oxford and one does Pfizer

Some people can get some choice - booking a community venue is likely to be AZ only; bigger hubs and hospitals may do either.

And I guess for part 2 jabs, you need to make sure you get the same as the first part, so the question may be creeping in.

Both jabs are novel, using tech that has been innovated in the last decade or so and being used for the fist times in humans. There is nothing 'natural' about modifying a chimp adenovirus as opposed to using mRNA

As you have an allergy, I'd ask GP for advice.

That's a funny way round to put it. If I were designing that form I'd ask which venue you wanted and add a footnote telling you which one did which vaccine. That would hopefully not throw people into a dilemma as on this occasion.

Thanks Pandas - I wasn’t aware of that as there is nothing online anyway to suggest that - have you a link?

Locally to me we are offered 2 different venues, from a day to day they are offering what they have in stock.
Obviously in NHS venues there is more likely to be Pfizer available because of storage issues elsewhere. And you will need to know for 2nd vaccines which one is being offered - not at all sure this is true for non-NHS staff though.

Pfizer without a shadow of a doubt.

Thank you. I have booked Pfizer for tomorrow.

I have one venue available to book but there are Pfizer appts for every day and Oxford appts just on a Thursday.

Oxford definitely

I think at the moment it seems like Pfizer may be better ( might be more effective ) but it's too early to say how it will all play out ! Either !

I'd go Pfizer for sure, purely because of the SA variant.

Both have pros and cons. Either way, you'll be gaining protection for yourself and others and all are there to be used.

I found this on real dark nursing humour page...

Anyway I had the Pfizer with no ill effects

I had Pfizer with a penicillin allergy (not life threatening) and I've been okay.

Definitely have to choose before I can book. It says 'if you are over 16 and would like to book Pfizer vaccine click here', and 'if you are over 18 and would like to book AZ/Oxford vaccine click here'.

It's perhaps because some people are about to book their second dose and obviously they need the same as the first. There certainly was no choice last month.

There was a separate link for second dose! I honestly didn't expect, or want, to have the choice. My parents didn't.