Canada pauses AZ vaccines for under 55s (and says women most at risk)

[Boringlynormal]

Please tell me this isn’t something to worry about: www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/30/canada-suspends-use-of-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-for-those-under-55

Speaking as a woman in her 30s who was immunised 4 days ago (article tells us the risk is for young women 4 - 20 days after vaccination), I’m panicking now. Yes I know it’s rare but so is dying of Covid in my age group so I’m wondering if I’ve made a huge mistake.

By the way I’m very pro vaccine and leapt on the chance to get one. I’m just feeling so anxious now.

@canigooutyet

Others have mentioned that when they have reported side effects to their gps they are dismissed and not putting details in the card system. Not everyone knows about the card system or that they can self report.

Obviously I can't speak for all practices but I work in one and we had a patient last week developed some symptoms about a week after vaccination. It was likely to be related to something in the previous medical history but we yellow carded it and I know of other practices who have done the same. Not heard of any in our area that seemed likely due to the vaccine itself

I’m so worried now.
Had the AZ 3 weeks ago and I’m still struggling with a sore arm and also neck and head on the side I had the injection. Also getting light headed on standing and tinnitus.

Just googled CVST and guess what the symptoms are, headache, tinnitus, dizziness.

I wish I’d not had it now. I’m not in a Covid risk category. I’m youngish, fit, slim, healthy, female, non smoker etc.

I appreciate that people are saying that the risk is low but in my opinion it’s some strong shit.

@PurpleSplodge

Evening everyone. I'm 10 days post vaccine and three days ago I noticed purple splodges on my thighs. They are like small bruises no bigger than a pea but mainly smaller. I have about 10 in total.

Paid no attention to it until yesterday when my DH asked if I thought there was a link to the vaccine. Which I dismissed. Now I have just found this thread. 😬

The bruises are now starting to fade and no more have appear. Do you think it could be linked? I can't find much on Google.

It's probably nothing, but it doesn't hurt to make the out of hours GP check a photo just in case. Could be a platelet / thrombosis issue, or could be nutrient issues, diabetes, or walking into something with 10 prongs...

@Boringlynormal I definitely don't have huge faith in my local 111 but it's the same for if I get a bad case of covid and need admitting for oxygen! There's a much better hospital a bit further away, which is where I'd try to go.

I think the publicity should help with awareness of these clots. Right now is probably the best time to have it in a way (obviously never is better). I assume they'll be on high alert because of the news reports.

@AllisoninWunderland

I’m so worried now. Had the AZ 3 weeks ago and I’m still struggling with a sore arm and also neck and head on the side I had the injection. Also getting light headed on standing and tinnitus.

Just googled CVST and guess what the symptoms are, headache, tinnitus, dizziness.

I wish I’d not had it now. I’m not in a Covid risk category. I’m youngish, fit, slim, healthy, female, non smoker etc.

I appreciate that people are saying that the risk is low but in my opinion it’s some strong shit.

Sounds like a vitamin deficiency. Zinc or B12 maybe.

Ha I am accident prone @MRex so there is a strong possibility!
@Tealightsandd that was thinking that if it was serious they wouldn't be fading.

Think I'll call my GP in the morning and see what they think. Thanks 😊

@PurpleSplodge it’s a potential symptom of the clotting disorder. Personally under the circumstances I’d want a blood test to double check my platelets. More likely it’s caused by something else but I’d want it checked out.

Sounds good @PurpleSplodge. Take a photo today to compare any fading tomorrow and obviously switch that into whizzing off to hospital if you have any other reason for concern.

@MRex thank you’d I’d read that article but hadn’t fully understood that part of it. It makes sense now.

It's worth noting a comment from the German researcher who found these cases:
Greinacher expressed astonishment that their findings were being used to justify restricting the vaccine. “People being severely sickened by covid-19 outnumber those who suffer from the vaccination reaction by several orders of magnitude,” he said. “To stop or to avoid vaccination only for the fear of getting an extremely rare, adverse reaction would be completely wrong.”

This is a very good perspective, thank you.

Sounds like a vitamin deficiency. Zinc or B12 maybe.

MRex You are even diagnosing now. Just stop. What you are doing is dangerous!
This poster should go to her GP and get checked properly.

@HuxleyPigPanic thousands of parents are treated this way when their babies have adverse reactions to vaccines. "It's a coincidence" or "they must have already been poorly" or "they had an underlying condition" or "you're anxious and exaggerating".

I nearly died as a baby after the DTaP and my parents were dismissed even back then. Weirdly they are really still provaccine. There was a huge scandal around it at the time but families like mine were just ignored and gaslighted.

It's disappointing to see nothing changes.

@MRex

It only started the day I had the vaccine though! Never had it before?

@anyoldtime

Sounds like a vitamin deficiency. Zinc or B12 maybe.

MRex You are even diagnosing now. Just stop. What you are doing is dangerous!
This poster should go to her GP and get checked properly.

What are you on about? She'll have to go to the GP for blood tests to find out what the specific deficiency is, and of cost the GP will check her over. That doesn't make it helpful to catastrophise every mild symptom.

b-s-h.org.uk/media/19512/guidance-version-10-on-mngmt-of-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-occurring-after-c-19-vaccine_20210401.pdf

Well you could print out these guidelines

It could be very easily excluded as a cause with 2 simple routine tests an FBC (to see PLT count) and a D dimer(clotting test)

[quote dividedwefall]@HuxleyPigPanic thousands of parents are treated this way when their babies have adverse reactions to vaccines. "It's a coincidence" or "they must have already been poorly" or "they had an underlying condition" or "you're anxious and exaggerating".

I nearly died as a baby after the DTaP and my parents were dismissed even back then. Weirdly they are really still provaccine. There was a huge scandal around it at the time but families like mine were just ignored and gaslighted.

It's disappointing to see nothing changes.[/quote]
I know, I have experienced the same.

@CovoidOfAllHumanity

Shit. Now I’m scared. But thanks for the link. Will get advice.

I didn't mean to scare you!

I meant that you could get one easy blood test and have it ruled out and I thought that would be reassuring

[quote AllisoninWunderland]@MRex

It only started the day I had the vaccine though! Never had it before?[/quote]
Vaccines put strain on your immune system like a virus would; if you are already low in some vitamins then it's more likely you'll notice effects. Hopefully your GP will run standard blood tests to diagnose so you can feel better soon.

If this has already been mentioned, sorry.

I live in British Columbia. I am CEV and had my first dose of Pfizer this past Tuesday. Based on my age, it would have been another month or so before I am eligible. They are currently vaccinating age 72 and oder, plus all indigenous age 18 or older.

This week the health minister announced that ages 55 to 65 could book at a list of pharmacies to get the AstraZeneca. The available slots were all basically filled overnight. It is a bit of a kerfuffle because the demand was so high the process was swamped. There is a lot of upset as a result.

Clearly many, many people here are fully prepared to get the AstraZeneca. I would have if it was offered. But I am over 55.

Thank you MRex for your explanation.

Binge drinking is a good comparison, millions drink more than is recommended as safe, people horse ride and drive and play sport and never worry.

So is Clexane Heparin?

Separately, I had to smile at the comment that humans are not rational. It's the founding principle of economic theory

@Whichjab I'm sorry, but all those things are CHOICES. Which people take on, knowing the risks (or at least, the risks of them are well known and easily discovered!). It's not like the government is breathing down people's necks saying "go horse riding because if you don't you'll be subject to an even greater risk than falling from a horse AND you won't be able to travel or go in a pub!!!" In the case of the AZ vaccine, young women who are at LOW risk of severe Covid are being COERCED into taking it and told there is no other option. The government should get a different vaccine for them.

I also had to give myself injections after hysterectomy would that likely of been similar?
Had az vax 2 weeks ago and 45

[quote Fieldofmemes]@Whichjab I'm sorry, but all those things are CHOICES. Which people take on, knowing the risks (or at least, the risks of them are well known and easily discovered!). It's not like the government is breathing down people's necks saying "go horse riding because if you don't you'll be subject to an even greater risk than falling from a horse AND you won't be able to travel or go in a pub!!!" In the case of the AZ vaccine, young women who are at LOW risk of severe Covid are being COERCED into taking it and told there is no other option. The government should get a different vaccine for them.[/quote]
I get what you are saying but in general people do not consider their choices. Women are also pushed to take the pill which is much more dangerous