MHRA may change advice for young people receiving AZ vaccine

[IloveSooty424]

I just saw this news story on Channel 4 news tonight.

www.channel4.com/news/uk-medicines-regulator-considers-issuing-new-advice-over-oxford-astrazeneca-jab

It seems the MHRA may follow other European countries and Canada and advise that younger people should not receive the AZ vaccine. It seems the decision will be made imminently in the coming days.

I’m due to book my vaccine this week and don’t know whether to wait and see how this plays out. I’m 42. I’m also concerned that if younger people will only be offered the Pfizer vaccine it will slow down the vaccine programme substantially.

Any thoughts?

@CuriousaboutSamphire I’d like to be able to explore my options and look at studies on the other jabs. I don’t think that’s a bad things.

Out of a total of 30million people having the AZ vaccine, 18 have had clots - that's 1 in 600,000 which are pretty good odds against it being a problem

That's not stratified by age....you have to look specifically at the

• That's not stratified by age....you have to look specifically at the

@OliverBabish

I’m 30. My confidence in all of this has torpedoed. I would like to have the opportunity to decide what vaccine I have.

It’s a right limbo situation, I’m glad I’m a fat middle aged woman so it’s still a no brainer situation for me to have it.

@worriedatthemoment
From what I understand there's been extremely rare clotting with the other vaccines too. Different clotting, I believe, but still an issue if you're one if the very unlucky rare cases. Luckily it's incredibly rare for any of them, AZ included. It's more common with actual covid and long covid.

@terribleg

Personally I would rather take a small% risk of bad lungs or fatigue for a few months, than even the tiniest risk of a severe brain clot

I feel similar.

But it's not just a small % of bad lungs and fatigue, it's also a tiny risk of ICU admission, stroke and death with COVID against the tiniest risk of a severe brain clot.

In balancing the risk they looked at ICU admission for age groups, for which there are poor outcomes.

Possibly.

Remember neither the EMA or the HMRA have said AZ is risky for anyone. 4 people in a million with no clear cut age, sex etc at more risk.

Their different recommendations are based on specific demographics and current roll out status, infection rates etc.

The UK can take the additional precaution because of our specific roll status. The EMA is talking to Europe, with a much smaller % population vaccinated.

I hope you're wrong but worry you're right @BuggerBognor Which is concerning since the 30-50 age group, especially women, is the highest risk group for long covid. Which can cause clotting.

@BuggerBognor but have the goverment said that ? I have seen people on here say it but not heard Boris say it ? Or have I missed that somewhere

@Change45

Will they continue with age being the criteria for offering or will under 30s be prioritised where Pfizer or Moderna are available? I’m mid 30s and will take any vaccine they are willing to stick in my arm when it’s my turn. I hope this doesn’t delay when my turn comes.

That's the advice. Take what is offered. If another is available you'll be offered that.

@vickyp0llard

True. But what’s the likelihood of bad outcome from vaccine v Covid?

Personally I would rather take a small% risk of bad lungs or fatigue for a few months, than even the tiniest risk of a severe brain clot. I'm not sure where you got 20% long covid from, that seems like it was plucked out of thin air and not stratified by age either (I'm under 30, slim and healthy).

Clots are possible with covid too. In fact if you are over 30 your chances of them with covid is more. Hence why the new guidance is for under 30s. Sometimes the way they explain the way covid clotting happens it makes my stomach turn.

@Tealightsandd yes I have had Az a few weeks back just before this all started hitting headlines
I do think we need to have all info on all jabs though so people can be aware Of all risks however small they may be
I am in my 40's and have to decide on 2nd jab but at least want the info so I can make an informed decision as best I can

But it's not just a small % of bad lungs and fatigue, it's also a tiny risk of ICU admission, stroke and death with COVID against the tiniest risk of a severe brain clot.

In balancing the risk they looked at ICU admission for age groups, for which there are poor outcomes.

My point was people were comparing the risk to long covid but long covid has a wide range of symptoms some of which are not that alarming.

Plus I'm pretty sure I had covid, the docs think so too & I was hospitalised but fine.

@BuggerBognor

I think we will begin to see a lot of AZ vaccine refusal in the 30 - 50 age group. And quite reasonably because the government has lost any strands of credibility it had left in the last couple of weeks. Suggesting that the German, French and Norwegian concerns were politically motivated nonsense until today’s mea culpa. Absolute fuckwits.

Yes, I agree.

Clots are possible with covid too. In fact if you are over 30 your chances of them with covid is more. Hence why the new guidance is for under 30s. Sometimes the way they explain the way covid clotting happens it makes my stomach turn.

Not sure I’ve heard much on this but sounds bad.

@BuggerBognor

I think we will begin to see a lot of AZ vaccine refusal in the 30 - 50 age group. And quite reasonably because the government has lost any strands of credibility it had left in the last couple of weeks. Suggesting that the German, French and Norwegian concerns were politically motivated nonsense until today’s mea culpa. Absolute fuckwits.

I totally agree with this. They had everyone talking about how cheesed off the EU were about Boris' amazing success and foresight and how they were trying to ruin AZ's reputation in revenge.

Of course it was bollocks then. Just what a shame about any of those cases that were reassured and went to get it in good faith.

@BuggerBognor

I think we will begin to see a lot of AZ vaccine refusal in the 30 - 50 age group. And quite reasonably because the government has lost any strands of credibility it had left in the last couple of weeks. Suggesting that the German, French and Norwegian concerns were politically motivated nonsense until today’s mea culpa. Absolute fuckwits.

The EMA are still saying to use it on everyone so I doubt it. Have you forgotten all the other flip flopping from France and Germany. People really don't trust their judgement about vaccines anymore. Especially French citizens let alone UK ones.

I do know people who have refused it & this plays into their hands.

[quote worriedatthemoment]@BuggerBognor but have the goverment said that ? I have seen people on here say it but not heard Boris say it ? Or have I missed that somewhere[/quote]
Boris hasn't said anything but the risk is higher the older you're so makes sense for whatever vaccine is currently available to be provided to those that are higher at the list

[quote EasterIssland]@bumbleymummy do whatever you want, I'd rather listen to MHRA who have repeated have the vaccine or 2nd dose despite your age. Wont discuss anymore with you, you left it clear yesterday that you know most than anyone about vaccines. All the best![/quote]
I haven’t told anyone not to have their second dose. I’ve simply pointed out that it not compulsory and no one should feel pressured into a decision that they don’t feel comfortable with. I’m not sure why you object to that, unless you still think everyone else has to be vaccinated for your vaccine to work.

You lost the moral high ground when you wished long COVID on me. All because I dared to correct you on how vaccine immunity works on another thread? That wasn’t me being a ‘know it all’ by the way, lots of people could have corrected you on that, it just happened to be me. My sincerest apologies if you would have preferred to be left in your ignorance.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

The wheels have come off AZ vaccine.

[quote OliverBabish]@CuriousaboutSamphire I’d like to be able to explore my options and look at studies on the other jabs. I don’t think that’s a bad things.[/quote]
I understand that. I was wondering what else you would explore? What studies you would look at, what expertise you have to analyse the data, to get access to all studies the EMA and HMRA did, and those they may not have?

Some of the most experienced scientists across Europe and beyond have had input into these decisions. After hearing / reading their advice what more can you do?

@worriedatthemoment
I'm in my 40s too and I'm counting the days until my 2nd dose. I'm more concerned about covid clotting than this extremely rare side effect.