No Pfizer in the UK (?)

[motherrunner]

First of all let me start off by saying the only evidence I have is from a conversation with a Doctor yesterday when I had my AZ vaccine.

At the weekend I was lucky enough to be placed on a waiting list for cancelled appointments. Myself and around 15 colleagues had an appointment yesterday (all teachers). We asked why so many slots had become available. Doctor replied people have cancelled due to AZ fears but then said ‘if they’re waiting for the Pfizer they’ll have a long wait as there’s none in the UK at the moment’.

For me it was an easy to decision to make to have the AZ, I’m surrounded by hundred of people daily in unventilated small spaces. Just yesterday a whole year group was sent home after being back 4 days.

I guess why I’m posting if if you are considering delaying the vaccine in the hopes to opt for Pfizer, it maybe a while and weigh up whether you can keep trying to keep yourself safe before having the vaccine if your choice.

I've got my first jab booked in for Friday (group 6) at a national vaccine centre. I assumed it would be Astrazeneca; up until yesterday, I was pleased about that. Now I'm feeling a bit jittery! I will still get it, but I don't understand why so many countries are pausing it but the WHO, EMA and MHRA are all saying it's safe. I also don't like that Whitty seems to be silent about it.

It was stated on BBC News that in fact the actual incidence of blood clots in the general population is HIGHER than in those with clots which have had the AZ vaccine so statistics show a lower risk than average. Aside from which Covid is a high risk of blood clots, so either way I'd be getting my AZ vaccine. Better to not have covid IMO.
The BBC doctor couldn't understand why in a pandemic that other countries were delaying the vaccine. My view is politics. Opinion is UK monopolised vaccines, preventing EEC from getting their fair share. When what really happened was UK did due diligence decided that a vaccine was the way forward, investigated what was likely to be available, assessed for feasibility of working and invested there and then, thuis reserving their supplies early.

It’s true that Pfizer is in limited supply. In my area it’s common knowledge. However I can also believe that some areas have better supply than others. We haven’t got Pfizer 3 weeks ago but another big vaccination centre in our area had, some, although I could only book to my local one.

I think the person who did OP’s jab just expressed his opinion this way in the conversation, it’s not like he was making a statement in court under the oath. People often exaggerate a bit as a figure of speech.

It’s interesting that some posters are mentioning that the supply in London is ok.....

I volunteer in a vaccination centre in the south west. No pfizer available for first vaccinations here

@Ariela 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.

I’m very surprised how you’ve got on cancellation list. Are you in a small place? Atm the online booking is working for those who are 49 and older so flow of people shouldn’t be a problem.

Only certain places do Pfizer due to the storage issues. Mainly large vaccine centres run by doctors I think. Pharmecy led tend to do AZ only.

@ittakes2

Only certain places do Pfizer due to the storage issues. Mainly large vaccine centres run by doctors I think. Pharmecy led tend to do AZ only.

That makes more sense

I have my first jab booked for Saturday and according to my GP surgery it will be a Pfizer delivery.

[quote motherrunner]@EeeByeGummieBear I’m really sorry to hear that. Hopefully whatever is happening due to the supply chain will be rectified ASAP.[/quote]
I'm not sure there is a supply issue. Just that all of those having their second jab will have had Pfizer, so the supply is all ebing used.

That was discussed on a few podiums weeks ago and makes sense!

So centres with the storage facilities will be concentrating on getting second jabs done. Everywhere else will have AZ and be doing first jabs.

Doctors aren't even giving vaccines They're too highly paid for that. Will be a nurse. Who probably knows nowt about vaccine availability across the UK!

As I understand it Pfizer costs £15 per dose against £3 for AZ, so except for second jabs, we should be expecting AZ. Let the Euro states pay the higher costs.

@LastTrainToTrancentral drs/drs/ physios/ researchers etc all been trained to give vaccines - all hands on deck ...

I think it’s all stupid.

I had my AZ on Saturday. I’m so relieved I’ve had one. I don’t care what brand it is. Europe are being pathetic. And l voted remain!

A working dr may have been trained, but they won't be working in a vaccine centre They may be recruiting retired or non-employed drs.

@LastTrainToTrancentral Van Tam is giving the vaccine. Lots of Drs are doing it in spare time. My DD got hers from a GP. I had mine from a retired nurse who I imagine knows as much about giving injections as any doctor, since they give them all the time normally. Not many Drs do jabs.

@AnyFucker

I bloody hope not. I have just had my 2nd Pfizer jab confirmed for this week.

I had my second on Saturday. So hopefully you’ll be fine. It was actually pushed forward not due for another month.

We can only use our stock for 2nd doses so they should have enough to do those that have had the first.

I had the Pfizer on Saturday so there was definitely some in the UK at the weekend.

(And it was my first dose).

@Pastanred. That just isn't necessarily due. Our vaccination centre has a booking slot about 1 hour before the centre closes where they allocate any left over doses from no-shows. There are always no shows, so there are always spare doses for that slot - but they have to allocate for the number of official appointments just in case everyone did turn up.

So theoretically, they could link up with a local school and say we may have 15 spare shots at 5.30 on Monday evening, can we book your staff in. There is the possibility they might have to cancel (on the basis of everyone else turning up) but unlikely.

If you just booked 'official' appointments, you run the risk of having left over vaccine.

I've just had my 2nd Pfizer jab today so there is some in the country

[quote mumsneedwine]@LastTrainToTrancentral Van Tam is giving the vaccine. Lots of Drs are doing it in spare time. My DD got hers from a GP. I had mine from a retired nurse who I imagine knows as much about giving injections as any doctor, since they give them all the time normally. Not many Drs do jabs.[/quote]
Even so your average Dr doesn't have a working knowledge of vaccine availability across the UK going forward. Unless it is JVT of course That's the remit of NHS management.

Reality is Pfizer costs more, the logistics of transportation, storage temperatures, time spans from taking it from the fridge to final use, drawing up the dose - it's all much more complicated than the AZ.

My clinic do a mix of both but it's always a lot easier with the AZ not only logistically but also we can do them far quicker because we don't have to observe patients for 15 minutes, which we do with the Pfizer. AZ is jab and go (apart from not being able to drive for 15 minutes after but by the time most people have got their coats on, got back to their cars, it's been 15 minutes anyway).

Therefore yes 2nd doses will happen and provisions are in place for it. Can't speak for any other areas obviously, this is just personal experience.

@LastTrainToTrancentral

Doctors aren't even giving vaccines They're too highly paid for that. Will be a nurse. Who probably knows nowt about vaccine availability across the UK!

Doctors are giving vaccines in our GP practice covid clinic.

I'll be delighted to have any of them. The contraceptive pill has a far higher incidence of side effects and that's never been pulled