Page 3 | Pfizer or Oxford

minchinfin · 02/03/2021 21:21

WTAF? I've already been vaccinated and am quite happy to have had what was offered thanks - I'm trying to point out how stupid all these "which is better" posts are because for every reason they come up with for one being better, it is easy to find a counter-argument, such as mine.

In all seriousness, I am astounded, even in the face of all the bollox I've read on here, that there are actually people out there trying to pick and choose for non-medical reasons - the selfishness and self-centredness absolutely astounds me.

In fairness to the OP, they haven't said what their reason is - but the only possible valid concerns are medical ones, in which case they should be talking to their GP about it, not us.

There is a religious argument as well for some people not wanting the AZ vaccine which, even though I find it ludicrous, I would respect. Maybe it's that.

TwatWaffleTwinkleToes · 02/03/2021 21:23

My mil was told she couldn't have Pfizer because of her penicillin allergy only 2 weeks ago and had to wait.

And yet two weeks ago my mum had the Pfizer despite being allergic to penicillin - the centre here said that was no problem (she was fine).

GertiMJN · 02/03/2021 21:26

Apologies if I misunderstood your post. minchinfin

CathyorClaire · 02/03/2021 21:26

I got Pfizer despite a penicillin allergy. Still here. Dh got AZ.

We both count ourselves extremely lucky to have had the chance at either.

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/03/2021 21:28

OP buggered off?

Huh?

HazeyJaneII · 02/03/2021 21:30

I'm guessing with the allergy thing, it depends on the Dr who double checks. I was ok to wait for the AZ, if that was deemed the safest.

Doireallyneedaname · 02/03/2021 21:32

I find it so bizarre that people on here get so angry at these type of posts.

If someone wants a choice and it’s as simply as booking a specific vaccination centre over another, why does that bother you so much? It makes NO difference to you or anyone else.

minchinfin · 02/03/2021 21:32

GertiMJN No worries - I understand the feeling

Mumof3andlovingit · 02/03/2021 21:38

Our GP practice has a few surgeries and one does Pfizer only, so I got them to book me in there. Only reason to choose Pfizer was because I heard it is usually associated with less side effects and this proved true for me and my family members.

Ontheboardwalk · 02/03/2021 21:47

My mum has penicillin allergy and was told she could have either vaccine

From the people I know they felt really sleepy after the AZ jab then were fine after 24 hours. I had Prizer didn’t feel sleepy but had sore arm next day for 24 hours but I’ve had worse B12 injections

Neither of these side effects are bad and much better than Covid. Be interesting to see what, if any, effects there are after the 2nd jab. I’m just really grateful we are being given the opportunity to find out!

GertiMJN · 02/03/2021 21:52

@Doireallyneedaname

I find it so bizarre that people on here get so angry at these type of posts.

If someone wants a choice and it’s as simply as booking a specific vaccination centre over another, why does that bother you so much? It makes NO difference to you or anyone else.

The vacine roll out is being done quickly and efficiently. It's working because it's simple and straightforward. No fannying around with patients weighing up pros and cons or making phonecalls and cancelling appointments.

It's a process that is designed to make the greatest overall impact not individual preference or outcome.

As soon as there is an acceptance of making
a choice in vaccine, people will start believing there is a conspiracy afoot to do them out of something or take away some inherent right. There's enough misinformation and scaremongering already. We don't need more fake news hindering uptake!

MrsFezziwig · 02/03/2021 21:56

@starchildmum

Hi

I was wondering which vaccine centres use Pfizer and which one Oxford? I have a strong preference for Pfizer and my appointment was originally in a pharmacy in Ealing London. After I called and found out that they only do Oxford I rebooked but not sure if I will get Pfizer. They explained that most phamacies and community centres won't offer Pfizer as they don't have the storage facilities and Pfizer would most likely only be offered in Hospitals etc.

Any views on that? I am just curious if that is how it works?
Thank you!

@starchildmum

I’m sure someone will know way more about this than me, but you don’t actually need to have the deep freezing facilities for the Pfizer vaccine on site - they remain deep frozen at the distribution centre and then once removed you have a certain time to use them, during which time they can be kept in a normal fridge. But obviously there is less leeway to be shunting them around than the AZ.

I know two people who went to a local hub on consecutive days - first had Pfizer, second AZ. And two different people who went to the same GP centre on different days - one had Pfizer, one AZ. So you may well not know which vaccine you’re going to get - does that mean you’re going to cancel another appointment?

It’s all very fine having a “strong preference” (which I’m assuming is not for a clinical reason) but you’ve already wasted somebody’s time by rebooking. If we all started doing that we’ll never get everybody vaccinated.

KeepWashingThoseHands · 02/03/2021 21:56

@minchinfin

Oh you’ve missed a classic thread on the AZ vaccine being refused on medical grounds as it’s basically made from aborted foetus (it’s not).

The Corona topic on MN will be a piece of social history in the not too distant future. Frightening what people will read about attitudes and behaviours at this time.

KeepWashingThoseHands · 02/03/2021 21:57

*sorry religious grounds

Original poster

starchildmum · 02/03/2021 21:59

I rebooked a couple of hours later on the same day weeks in advance, so don‘t think its the same as not turning up for example which would be wrong.

OP posts:

minchinfin · 02/03/2021 22:02

I think I saw it. Some Catholics object because the AZ vaccine is cultured in a cell line (used in millions of labs and for millions of purposes including cancer research) that was, at one point, about 60 years ago, propagated from an original cell sample taken from an aborted foetus. As you say, nothing to do with the actual vaccine itself. But the pope says it's ok so I don't know why that's not good enough.

GertiMJN · 02/03/2021 22:02

@starchildmum

I rebooked a couple of hours later on the same day weeks in advance, so don‘t think its the same as not turning up for example which would be wrong.

But that's not the only issue. As pointed out.

minchinfin · 02/03/2021 22:03

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55409693

minchinfin · 02/03/2021 22:03

What the pope has said to Catholics - not a random dodgy link :)

turnthebiglightoff · 02/03/2021 22:10

If you are a specialist in vaccinations, or have inside knowledge of how the pharm company manufactures them, then your preference is understandable. If you are neither of those things, please get what you are given and be grateful. Good evening.

Luzina · 02/03/2021 22:11

I had Pfizer (hospital centre) and felt really off for 2 days. DH had Pfizer (GP HAB) but no side effects. I don’t have any ability to understand the science to make a choice between the two, nor did I think there was a choice unless advised by doctor that one was unsuitable.

partyatthepalace · 02/03/2021 22:12

@followthesciencebrickroad

Generally speaking, Pfizer gives no side effects after the 1st dose, but you might have some (normal) side effects after the 2nd. AZ is the other way around.

Both have been shown to be highly effective in terms of cutting severe disease and hospitalisation. Ironically, real world data suggest AZ might be slightly more effective but let's not split hairs. I had AZ but would have had either.

This.

Remember how fucking lucky we are to have a good vaccine OP. The mass vaccination programme will be most effective by getting as many of us vaccinated as possible as quickie as possible - that way we it’s much harder for the virus to spread. So I really would urge you to take what you’re given - any faffing about slows the system down. Any of the vaccines should keep you well away from hospital.

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/03/2021 22:15

@Doireallyneedaname

I find it so bizarre that people on here get so angry at these type of posts.

If someone wants a choice and it’s as simply as booking a specific vaccination centre over another, why does that bother you so much? It makes NO difference to you or anyone else.

It feels like that arse in front of you in the supermarket queue asking a thousand questions and taking up time.

You just want to scream "I just want to get my shopping, I am completely ready!" Maybe it's unreasonable but there is a queue and arsing around is wasting resources.

RavingAnnie · 02/03/2021 22:18

@SpeakingFranglais

DDs two friends (all three are HCPs) caught Covid four weeks after the Pfizer vaccine, I get a bit annoyed by all the Pro PZ and anti AZ stuff I read on here.

I will have anything but given the choice I’m learning towards AZ.

I didn't think either vaccine stopped you from catching covid, I thought they minimised the severity of symptoms once you had it? And they also now think it reduces transmission?

RavingAnnie · 02/03/2021 22:23

@minchinfin

WTAF? I've already been vaccinated and am quite happy to have had what was offered thanks - I'm trying to point out how stupid all these "which is better" posts are because for every reason they come up with for one being better, it is easy to find a counter-argument, such as mine.

In all seriousness, I am astounded, even in the face of all the bollox I've read on here, that there are actually people out there trying to pick and choose for non-medical reasons - the selfishness and self-centredness absolutely astounds me.

In fairness to the OP, they haven't said what their reason is - but the only possible valid concerns are medical ones, in which case they should be talking to their GP about it, not us.

There is a religious argument as well for some people not wanting the AZ vaccine which, even though I find it ludicrous, I would respect. Maybe it's that.

What's the religious argument against the AZ?