Worried about AZ efficacy

[Flossie44]

Read a few bits on the efficacy of AZ vaccine. It doesn’t seem nearly as good as Pfizer?? Am I right?
Would love you to tell me I’m wrong!! Had my first AZ vaccine last week and now worried still that I won’t be as protected as I could’ve been with a Pfizer version....

You’re wrong.

Apart from the fact that the two trials used different endpoints so you can’t compare the crude numbers directly, here’s what you need to remember:

• In the AZ trial, there were NO serious cases and NO deaths int he vaccine group. Even after only one dose.

• early in the vaccination programme, the vaccine which protects you best is the one you can get. Any vaccine protects you better than no vaccine

• Later on, everyone will be protected by the fact that so many people around them have been vaccinated and are less likely to transmit the virus. The protection comes from vastly reducing the chances you will come into contact with it. So if the one you personally had has an efficacy of 84% versus 94%, the change in risk to you personally is absolutely minuscule - don’t worry about it.

• and to repeat - in the AZ trial group, there were NO serious cases and NO deaths.

You are protected just fine.

Im mildly worried about the reports of it vs the s.african variant.

I was hoping that 2 weeks after my vaccine I would be able to go into a supermarket confidently for the first time, and feel more comfortable being out and about!

I have been so anxious for a year though its hard to know what's anxiety and what's real!

Pfizer is also less efficient vs s.a variant though...

@pommedeterre

Pfizer is also less efficient vs s.a variant though...

That isn’t going to be widely publicised though, not while the AZ bashing continues. No wonder the OP is concerned.

I’ve had the AZ first dose and am very pleased to have it

All vaccines should prevent you getting seriously ill And going to hospital.
AZ isn’t as good as Pfizer at preventing you getting a Covid full stop, but if you only get a sniffle it won’t matter?
The jury is out on variants which is why there are mass efforts to do testing and contain them and why international travel is a problem.
But basically, we are far, far more protected with vaccines than we are without. I would have either vaccine quite happily