Oxford vaccine - blood clots

[emilyjane29]

Hi all,

So I'm due to get my vaccine on Friday, due to vulnerability caused by some health issues.

Have been reading about the issues surrounding the Oxford vaccine, and at first I wasn't overly worried but now more and more countries are pausing it, I'm feeling quite anxious.

My health issues include being diagnosed with venous sinus thrombosis a couple of years ago, and as far as I can tell this is what they are saying is the risk here with the Oxford vaccine. I'm fine now and not on any blood thinners.

I get that it hasn't been pulled by the UK gov, but should I check with my GP just incase, if this would be a safe option for me? Or should I just go ahead, given I have been invited to get it anyway and if it wasn't safe surely I wouldn't have been put forward for it?

I had the AZ vaccine on Saturday and I've found this thread very reassuring. It backs up what I've been researching myself and I'm so relieved to know I'm a bit protected from covid.
Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to post useful links and research to reassure others.

@mouldygrapes

There have been 17 million doses of AZ vaccine given in the EU and UK. 37 reports of blood clots in those vaccinated, so the overall risk is something like 0.0002%. The background risk in the general population is higher - around 1 person in 1000 per year. The risk of blood clots on the contraceptive pill is much higher than the vaccine and yet they’re commonly prescribed. It is a very knee jerk response to have pulled the vaccine, and will cause huge lack of confidence.

For context there have been reports of blood clots with the Pfizer vaccine too; but again lower than expected in the general population. No countries have pulled Pfizer

Great post I must admit I am a little suspicious of how some countries in the EU have reacted to this

Are the people saying "The EU are doing this" intentionally trying to stir up anti-EU sentiment or just not very good at politics?

The EU has recommended continued use of the vaccine.

Why AZ and not Pfizer? The deaths in Denmark and Norway were highly unusual, to be blunt. 'Regular' clotting deaths wouldn't have led to the same scrutiny. They still don't think it's related, but our (Denmark's) procedures mean it has to be investigated. I'd be sitting ready with my bare arm out tomorrow if I was offered it, for what it's worth, but I respect the health authority's need to do what needs to be done.

Our health authorities worked hard early days to inspire confidence in the AZ vaccine - and trust me outside France nobody gives a shit what Macron says, he is not in any way considered a spokesperson for the EU.

Do you really think we have all the info? There is an investigation underway. Wait and see is the best approach.

As far as I can find via google Pfizer has about the same incidence of clots after jabs (less than in normal population in normal circs for both).

Why isn't that more widespread knowledge? Genuinely baffled.

I have a clotting disorder, have had many clots, on blood thinners for life. First discovered my problem after getting my first one when on the good old contraceptive pill. Haven't seen anyone banning that though...

@Bluenightowl

Where is a link to evidence that AZ has caused more blood clots than Pfizer?

And don’t tell me to ‘go away and research it’

Bluenightowl I would find your wilfull stupidity funny but for the fact it sows unnecessary fear in people. People who may go on to get clots or die of Covid because they were afraid of a perfectly safe vaccine that could have saved them.

It’s not about the number of cases; the issue seems to be about how these clots are presenting themselves amongst other symptoms. It’s being reported that it’s extremely unusual in younger patients and only usually occurs in those who have had an accident, sepsis etc - not ordinarily healthy people. That is why they are looking into it.

It is odd that it was people in the same city, all healthcare workers that had the same set of severe symptoms. Also odd we haven’t had a single case here.

OP I have a hereditary gene that puts me at higher risk of VTE and had the vaccine. The rate of clots in the population that had the jab is lower than expected in the general population of the same size and I suspect the EMA review will come out and say that. I find it astonishing that places like France and Italy are essentially halting their vaccination program when cases are increasing rapidly on very little scientific evidence. The risk of a clot from having covid is reported to be around 20% I know which odds I prefer.

@Bluenightowl

Do you really think we have all the info? There is an investigation underway. Wait and see is the best approach.

Wait and see is not without risks

1. because it leaves susceptible people more at risk of catching COVID, when there is a good prevention tool readily available.

2. because it drives panic and vaccine hesitancy

well its a great advantage to people who need to be vaccinated in the UK because to put it crudely there is more for us - its not so long since the EU was demanding the UK should hand over the vaccines produced here to make up for the shortfall in production - ironic!
The vaccination in the UK is picking up speed - thank goodness -
I feel sad for people in Europe who are waiting for vaccines while the numbers of cases are rising & the health risks of covid are far far higher - I assume the people who receive the earliest vaccinations in the EU are more vulnerable so more likely to have health issues?
What people forget is we all have set risks of health issues anyway & we go into having a vaccine with those in place -

Following. OP I am worried too as I am not allowed to take the pill due to blood clotting risks but noone seems to be able to tell me if that means I shouldn't have the cv jab. I was booked to have it tomorrow but that's been cancelled. Will see what is decided re: inquiry into side effects.

Also the risk of getting a blood clot if you catch COVID is around 20%

No that is not true. A very small study showed that 20% of people with covid IN ICU get thrombosis, Not 20% of people who have covid.

There has not been a causal link between the vaccine and the blood clots. I listened to one of the experts from the country involved yesterday. He pointed out that the incidence of clots in the general population and the age of those affected specifically is actually lower than expected, but as these 3 cases all had a vaccine a few weeks before they had the clot they have to double check to make sure. He pointed out that the risk of getting Covid far far outweighs the risk of having a blood clot.
It’s a bit like saying if a 70yr old lifetime smoker who has a vaccine then 2 weeks later has a stroke then it must have been the vaccine that caused it.

No that is not true. A very small study showed that 20% of people with covid IN ICU get thrombosis, Not 20% of people who have covid
That makes much more sense. I know loads of people who have had covid, none who have had blood clots.

@mumwon

well its a great advantage to people who need to be vaccinated in the UK because to put it crudely there is more for us - its not so long since the EU was demanding the UK should hand over the vaccines produced here to make up for the shortfall in production - ironic! The vaccination in the UK is picking up speed - thank goodness - I feel sad for people in Europe who are waiting for vaccines while the numbers of cases are rising & the health risks of covid are far far higher - I assume the people who receive the earliest vaccinations in the EU are more vulnerable so more likely to have health issues? What people forget is we all have set risks of health issues anyway & we go into having a vaccine with those in place -

This absolutely!

I feel for anyone who was due to get the vaccine but now can't due to it being suspended in their country. Some of them will catch covid while they are waiting who could have been protected.

@leafcutterant One of those people is me and tbh I would rather wait to see what the results of the inquiry are.

@Sewgood

Also the risk of getting a blood clot if you catch COVID is around 20%

No that is not true. A very small study showed that 20% of people with covid IN ICU get thrombosis, Not 20% of people who have covid.

The incidence of clots on ITU is much higher (over 40% in some studies) despite intensive measures to anticoagulants

www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m2058

*anticoagulate

OP
Regarding aspirin.
When you go for the vaccination you are asked if you are on any blood thinners. Aspirin is one, as you know. Best to ask your GP if it is ok to start aspirin before vaccination (if that is what you were considering). Otherwise, just take it afterwards. (Someone may already have said this - haven't RTFT).

Fair enough Gerla. Some people aren't happy and are even furious about it as they've posted on mumsnet about it from those countries

@motherrunner

I had the AZ yesterday. The nurse administering asked if I was in warfarin, I’m not, but if I was maybe there would be extra information provided.

What’s interesting is that the Doctor in the room said there is not Pfizer in the UK at all at the moment, so if you want the jab it’s AZ or nothing.

I had the AZ three weeks ago and am on warfarin. They just noted it down and asked if my INR was stable.

We have all waited for a year, a week is not going to make much difference for what could have serious long term side effects.
I wouldn’t ‘feel sorry’ for anyone who can’t have the vaccine this week. I’d trade places with them tbh.
Carry on in the UK, what other countries are doing is of no relevance. You are no longer in the EU.

@Sewgood my apologies I was going to add to my post in those who are hospitalised with significant covid when previewing but the small person trying to remove my nipple while feeding prevented that 🤣