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.

@ginghamstarfish

Sorry if this has already been asked - I'm in my 60s, autoimmune disorder, and had the AZ vacc two weeks ago. Starting to worry more and more now .... is it known how long the vaccine stays in the body? Does it eventually 'go'? Seriously considering not having the second jab now.

The vaccine won't (or shouldn't) stay in your body according to the designers.

@ginghamstarfish, you’re over the age risk threshold and only 7 days away from being out of the 4-20 days period it usually manifests in, so you shouldn’t be too worried.

Posting the link here as well

www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/health/immune-thrombocytopenia-covid-vaccine-blood.html

Pointing out here - as well - that this isn’t the same thing that’s been linked to the AZ vaccine. This is ‘just’ low platelets not the unusual combination of low platelets plus multiple clots.

I had the AZ vaccine nearly 5 weeks ago and am due my second in May, I'm seriously thinking about not having it now. Is there any likelihood that I could have a different vaccine? I am 54 and my mum died of a stroke when she was 45. I was advised against taking the pill for that reason.

@BuggerBognor

I really think they need to get Moderna and J&J up and running for younger cohorts so that people have a choice. I’ve been saying for weeks I won’t take the AZ, but if people aren’t offered an alternative then I suspect plenty will go unvaccinated.

But they haven't been given in any number yet, no one knows what side effects they will have. If it is seen to be that the AZ vaccine has been rushed to market and that proper checks have not been completed then the entire vaccine effort is under threat. Especially if it is proven that there link between clots an AZ has been known for a while and yet the UK has ploughed on regardless.

But they haven't been given in any number yet, no one knows what side effects they will have.

In the UK. They have been used in large numbers elsewhere, particularly the US.

There's also Pfizer which is performing extremely well in terms of efficacy and safety.

J&J hasn't been used elsewhere has it?

What were your husband's side effects @Buggerbognor?

@BuggerBognor

Yes, it’s been available in the US since February (although efficacy is lower than Pfizer and Moderna).

Exactly, not long enough, AZ started being used in beginning of Jan we will know more about J&J in a couple of months. Most concerning thing about AZ is that it now may be fairy ineffective especially against the SA variant so millions have risked themselves for nothing.

Is there any way to find out which vaccine a vaccination centre uses?

Interestingly I had an email today cancelling my appointments and I had to book another at a different centre.

39 no health issues.

@MaddieElla

Is there any way to find out which vaccine a vaccination centre uses?

Interestingly I had an email today cancelling my appointments and I had to book another at a different centre.

39 no health issues.

I think you can call and ask but it might change on a daily or weekly basis based on whatever they can get in. Anything being given right now is most likely AstraZeneca as supplies of Pfizer are low.

Mine said it was only AZ at that centre when I booked.

@Boringlynormal

Getting fed up seeing it equated to the pill.

The pill causes a different kind of blood clots with a much lower fatality rate.

The pill isn’t offered to people with a known risk of developing this side effect.

The pill is optional and nobody is told they’re ‘selfish’ on a societal level for not taking it.

The risk from the pill is known, stated and isn’t worked out by including a lot of data from people who aren’t at risk from the pill.

The pill isn’t restricted in multiple other countries in an emerging global situation.

Also, before I was prescribed the pill, my GP sent me for blood tests because I have specific characteristics that might have put me at higher risk of blood clots. They don't prescribe it indiscriminately to all and sundry. If the test results had come back differently, I wouldn't have been prescribed it. I would have found a different solution, because the pill isn't the only one, just like AZ is not the only vaccine. They didn't tell me I was silly and selfish to be concerned and say my chances of dying in childbirth were higher than the risk from the pill!

Seems like EMA has not concluded anything, someone from EMA has told Italian media but this its not confirmed by the organiisation

#BREAKING European Medicines Agency (#EMA) has 'not yet reached a conclusion' on AstraZeneca Covid vaccine/blood clot link, review 'currently ongoing': statement

twitter.com/AFP/status/1379417650305118213

I'm so very disappointed to be in this situation. I can't see how I can accept my second vaccine now so I'm going to end up partly vaccinated because I was stupid enough to go when called and trust they knew what they were doing. My peers who aren't caring for a vulnerable child will be called later and all happily get a better vaccine and be fully protected. I honestly feel so jealous.

@Kaylasmum49 I’m also wondering the same. Though using a different vaccination for the second dose is also untested too. No idea what I’ll do. Im hoping there will be more information soon. I’m in my 30s so am in a higher risk group too. Also only 10 days post vaccination so still have another 10 days until I’m out of the at risk period.

@Boringlynormal it’s so hard to know what to do isn’t it. I guess they are all new and any rare side effects are going to take time to discover too. The only way things are pieced together is through mass roll out. Like you though I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place re the second dose. I’m still tired and have a reduced appetite after mine too.

@Rainbowsandstorms Yes on the one hand I know rare side effects could only have been discovered by a mass roll out. But on the other hand they DID have evidence of this, they just dismissed it. When the other countries raised the alarm mid March, that's when it all should have been paused. I'm kicking myself so much for trusting that they'd investigated it properly. I could have just found a venue giving out Pfizer but I trusted them. I'm feeling achey and kind of crap too but I think a lot of it is stress tbh.

@Boringlynormal yes you’re right it’s so hard isn’t it as we both got it at the point where we were aware it was happening but had been reassured that it was all ok. Like you I’m feeling very stressed about it all.

I think you both need to step away from it all. You've been vaccinated, you have no side effects, you are fine. You're literally just winding yourselves and each other up to no good purpose.

@MRex

I think you both need to step away from it all. You've been vaccinated, you have no side effects, you are fine. You're literally just winding yourselves and each other up to no good purpose.

Cant agree enough with you (like I tend to do with your comments)