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 don't really care that much. Why would I bother to report you

@CrackOpenTheGin

Pfizer is by far and away the better vaccine. It seems to be standing up better against the SA strain and the trials were much better done. Oxford made a bit of a pigs ear of their trials with half doses accidentally given and all sorts. Plus the Pfizer general protection seems to be better.

I was determined to have the Pfizer and asked for that when I booked in with no problems.

Good luck!! Mine is this week too and I can’t wait!

Thanks, I'm leaning towards Pfizer. Although I'd like to hear someone that has chosen the Oxford one and the reasons behind it.

@FannyFifer

Pfizer if second dose within 3 weeks which it won't be, so if I had a choice it would be AZ.

Most vaccines are more effective if there is a longer gap between them than 3 weeks. Look at all the vaccines we currently have which need a booster, none are as quick as 3 weeks. Pfizer have said that they chose 3 weeks because they needed the trials to be as quick as possible. No reason to doubt that the 12 week gap won’t actually increase protection.

@Hepsie

I don't really care that much. Why would I bother to report you

Sorry, just felt a bit jumped on when I was just looking for advice. I just feel a bit overwhelmed since being given the option, hoped for some rationale discussion. I research everything and often ask on here for opinions but it seems almost taboo to ask this

Fair enough whichjab. fwiw I had the Oxford vac yesterday and I feel like crap today. So all I'd say is make sure you get plenty of paracetamol in and not have anything pressing to do for a day or two, as I guess you don't know if you'll be one of the people that gets side effects or not. I still feel an overwhelming sense of relief that I've had it done though regardless of a few crappy side effects. That's probably all I have to offer on the topic!

So, to clarify (and I honestly don't give two hoots to the troll hunters)...
I did not click a link in an email, I was sent a text from the number I always receive my GP messages from, from there I clicked the link which took me to a booking screen where I could choose which vaccine I wanted. No choice of location, it's just a local church.
I did not wish to choose as I would rather just be given it. But I could not book without choosing. I come on here to ask for any advice, get accused of it being fake.
I contact my GP to check it's real and they look on their system and say it is definitely booked.
Weeks ago I was hoping for the Oxford vaccine as i have allergies. After speaking with doctors i know and doing a bit of research, I decided on the Pfizer. But I will mention my allergies tomorrow and if I am advised it then I will be happy to go with the Oxford.
Also, no, I am not whichjab with a name change fail!
There really are some strange and bored people out there! Thanks to all those who offered sensible replies and thoughts!

I also had the Option of which vaccine I would prefer as a healthcare assistant. I either had the AZ at work or Phizer at a centre. I went with Phizer

@mnhq can you have a look at the continuous troll hunting. This is a difficult decision which I didn't think I'd have to make, and a valid topic in the corona board.

@SilverBirchWithout

Don’t worry I have

What is your agenda? I have clarified as has op (op I'm sorry inhave derailed your thread I just wanted some opinions and MN is usually full of intelligent replies not troll hunters)

@finallyfoundmyself

I also had the Option of which vaccine I would prefer as a healthcare assistant. I either had the AZ at work or Phizer at a centre. I went with Phizer

Thanks, was there any particular reason?

www.google.com/amp/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/pfizer-covid-vaccine-transmission-efficacy-oxford/amp/

This is a link from the telegraph (easily searchable if you don't want to click)

The difference there is quite big Oxford is 62.1 efficacy and no data on severe illness from SA variant, Pfizer is 95% and has lab information that it does work on the SA variant. This is why I'm questioning it, however on the down side the Pfizer vaccine was developed using mRna a new process so would i feel safer having Oxford?

Hi all, just dropping by to say that we've had a look behind the scenes and all looks ok. We've removed a couple of troll hunting posts and as usual we ask that if you have any concerns about any post or poster then please report rather than airing them on the thread.

@MichaelMumsnet

Hi all, just dropping by to say that we've had a look behind the scenes and all looks ok. We've removed a couple of troll hunting posts and as usual we ask that if you have any concerns about any post or poster then please report rather than airing them on the thread.

Thank you, apologies for high jacking the op thread, I had mine deleted as a duplicate so just jumped into this one as that was exactly what i wanted to know. I'm so grateful to have been offered the jab and didn't expect to have a choice.

@Whichjab You won’t find any intelligent conversation on here when it comes to Pfizer being a superior vaccine. I posted about this the other day saying that would be my preference and the sheer volume of attacks I received was outrageous. People are VERY defensive of the Oxford jab. But yes, it definitely looks like Pfizer is overall a more effective vaccine, especially with the real life Israeli data.

So whilst I reckon Pfizer is the better vaccine (especially as more data becomes available)
a) UK insists on not giving it according to the manufacturers instructions. Hopefully it doesn't affect its effectiveness at all but causes me concern.
b) as a member of group 6 I can only book via my GP which for me means I only get offered AZ anyway.

[quote doireallyneedaname]@Whichjab You won’t find any intelligent conversation on here when it comes to Pfizer being a superior vaccine. I posted about this the other day saying that would be my preference and the sheer volume of attacks I received was outrageous. People are VERY defensive of the Oxford jab. But yes, it definitely looks like Pfizer is overall a more effective vaccine, especially with the real life Israeli data.[/quote]
MN is a funny place, it just seems to be a lottery to which posters reply. I've been following the Daily stats threads and some of the input and scientifically support information I have read on there is outstanding. On the other hand some post seem to attract the troll hunters who can't for one moment believe something they haven't experienced isn't true.
I understand why people may feel defensive of the Oxford if that's the one they've had, but if they didn't get a choice it would always been better to have the Oxford than nothing.

@scissy

So whilst I reckon Pfizer is the better vaccine (especially as more data becomes available) a) UK insists on not giving it according to the manufacturers instructions. Hopefully it doesn't affect its effectiveness at all but causes me concern. b) as a member of group 6 I can only book via my GP which for me means I only get offered AZ anyway.

I have received the invite from my doctors and an invite from the vaccination hub, the doctors one is a link in a text message and the letter is the link to the main NHS covid jab booking form where I enter my nhs number.

I’m a member of group 6 and booked through the GP. They were going to book me into them to get the Oxford but when I said I was more comfortable getting the Pfizer they booked me into the local hospital hub. It’s worth an ask.

Regardless of which one is the best, aren't people worried about whether there will be supply problems by the time the second dose is due? The Pfizer vaccine is imported and the EU have threatened to block this if they don't get enough vaccine.

Nope. At this stage I’d rather have 1 dose of the Pfizer than 2 of the Oxford. They are also looking at mixing vaccines which I suspect will have good results. However, I am sure Pfizer will be available anyway and I am not happy to have Oxford as my first jab on the very small chance that it is not.

Thank you for intervening @mnhq. It really is ridiculous when you can't ask a simple question without being called a liar, a troll and a sock puppet! Sad times when women have to treat each other like this! Anyway, says everything about them and nothing about me!

Whichjab... it would be much easier not to have the choice wouldn't it!
I'm not too worried about there not being a supply of Pfizer for the second dose as I'm pretty sure you can have a second dose of either, doesn't have to be the same? Don't quote me on this, I have no ulterior motive to alarm, lie or troll I just definitely have read this somewhere!
I will just be glad to get one out of the way today!