Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Which vaccine should I choose?

177 replies

Serendipity09 · 16/02/2021 12:26

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?

OP posts:
doireallyneedaname · 16/02/2021 14:17

Can’t believe - isn’t the second dose appointment booked when you book the first?

Original poster
Serendipity09 · 16/02/2021 14:19

No.

OP posts:
SilverBirchWithout · 16/02/2021 14:31

@doireallyneedaname

Can’t believe - isn’t the second dose appointment booked when you book the first?
No it’s not booked after the first.

I’m still not convinced people are being offered a choice of vaccine for the first, ... is it just people of have specific health/allergy issues?
Can someone copy and paste or send a link?

doireallyneedaname · 16/02/2021 14:34

@Serendipity09

That’s odd. It must vary then as I have CEV friends and all had both appointments booked at the point of first booking.

SilverBirchWithout · 16/02/2021 14:35

They did at first, after 3 or 4 weeks they changed the process - when the decision to extend the 2nd to 12 weeks.

Bonsa · 16/02/2021 14:36

[quote doireallyneedaname]@Serendipity09

That’s odd. It must vary then as I have CEV friends and all had both appointments booked at the point of first booking.[/quote]
On the NHS website you must book both at the same time.

doireallyneedaname · 16/02/2021 14:37

@SilverBirchWithout One of my CEV friends mentioned above has her 2nd dose scheduled 8 weeks after she had her 1st dose - should she be getting this changed then?

doireallyneedaname · 16/02/2021 14:38

@Bonsa Yes, that’s what I know to be true.

CoffeeandCroissant · 16/02/2021 14:59

Is this in Northern Ireland? Is it possible to point a screenshot? (without any personal details of course).

I think offering people a choice is just going to confuse people surely? Would also think that most people would not have a preference, only a small minority might and not necessarily for any valid reasons.

Belladonna12 · 16/02/2021 15:11

There has been nothing in the news to suggest people are going to get a choice. It would be bizzare to do that as they don't really know what stock they are likely to receive an advance. Most vaccination centres just get what they are given.

BeyondMyWits · 16/02/2021 15:23

We were allowed to choose from the 3 local venues. It said which vaccines were being given at each venue. Hence an ability to choose - if they were delivering different vaccines in different locations.

nolovelost · 16/02/2021 15:32

My second was booked when I had turned up at the first.

BeyondMyWits · 16/02/2021 15:40

I was told that my second will be bookable the same way as the first. So to expect a text in 8-10 weeks.

I guess the different primary care trusts are doing it differently.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 16/02/2021 15:43

You said you have underlying health issues. That might be another reason why you had a choice.

Ginisatonic · 16/02/2021 15:49

I had my first dose yesterday and on my confirmation text it confirmed that my second appointment would be in exactly 12 weeks at the same time.

Ginisatonic · 16/02/2021 15:50

Oh and I had no choice of vaccine. At the centre I went to they use both. Just depends on the day which one you are given.

KittyMcKitty · 16/02/2021 15:55

@SilverBirchWithout

They did at first, after 3 or 4 weeks they changed the process - when the decision to extend the 2nd to 12 weeks.
We book 2nd appointment when checking in for first.
Rainbowsandstorms · 16/02/2021 15:59

Here he second appointment is automatically generated and booked when the first is booked.

Original poster
Serendipity09 · 16/02/2021 16:18

Yes, just give me a few minutes and I will post a screenshot

OP posts:
whatsthatnow74 · 16/02/2021 16:23

Just had mine today, I’m in group 6 with a heart condition. Wasn’t given a choice, got given the Pfizer one 👍🏻

Original poster
Serendipity09 · 16/02/2021 16:23

So, when I clicked to book I was given these three options.... the Oxford is now fully booked but was available this morning.

Which vaccine should I choose?
OP posts:
Original poster
Serendipity09 · 16/02/2021 16:26

@CoffeeandCroissant

Is this in Northern Ireland? Is it possible to point a screenshot? (without any personal details of course).

I think offering people a choice is just going to confuse people surely? Would also think that most people would not have a preference, only a small minority might and not necessarily for any valid reasons.

No, it's England. Please see above screenshot of what I get when I click the link to book.
OP posts:
poppycat10 · 16/02/2021 16:28

@doireallyneedaname

Can’t believe - isn’t the second dose appointment booked when you book the first?
It was for my mum, she has her second appointment already booked for a time and date in April.
poppycat10 · 16/02/2021 16:32

I would go for whichever I could get first/was most convenient.

By the time the under 50s get vaccinated the Moderna vaccine will be on stream and it will be even more of a dilemma!

Crunchymum · 16/02/2021 16:34

So have people been having vaccines in the future?

That 3rd box says "for people who had 1st vaccine on 21.12.21" ???

(I can see underneath is correctly say 21.12.20)