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Original poster

MHRA may change advice for young people receiving AZ vaccine

837 replies

IloveSooty424 · 05/04/2021 22:18

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?

OP posts:
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5
MarshaBradyo · 07/04/2021 19:23

Posters are obsessed with feeling got at.

I dgaf really.

MissDollyMix · 07/04/2021 19:24

Has anyone had a baby? I know I didn't think about the possibility of dying when I made the choice about getting pregnant

Yes I did. But then my grandmother died in childbirth. I’m very much from the ‘there’s a risk involved with everything’ school but it’s not a straightforward case of risk of vaccine vs risk of Covid. It’s not necessarily an either/or. I don’t currently have any plans to catch Covid!

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 07/04/2021 19:24

Now they want to palm off the 30-50 group with the deathy clot vaccine that nobody else in the world wants? 🤷🏻‍♀️ GTFO

Don't have it then. This is not a compulsory vaccine. There isn't enough Pfizer (which has its own risk profile) and the Moderna will arrive in a couple of months. Several of the other vaccines use very similar technology to AZ so there will be several 'deathly clot vaccines' and some that cause other problems (e.g. allergy risk for Pfizer seems high) to choose from. There won't be any risk-free vaccines as it doesn't work like that. The Chinese vaccine is either not working very well in Chile or they haven't quite vaccinated enough to prevent a really bad third wave.

Luckily no-one has to have anything! It's all a choice.

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 07/04/2021 19:26

This is science not U turns. Covid is a new thing and the vaccines are new. As scientists learn more about either the advice changes. That is perfectly normal and reasonable.

Plus some people really need to grow up. I don't mind people worrying but acting like a entitled brat when people in other countries are unlikely to get vaccinations this year. Have the vaccine or don't but this is science nothing to do with GPs or the government or Brexit or whatever else rubbish you come out with next. We are lucky to have some amazing experts making sure we are safe. Whilst still vaccinating the population. Not every country is so privileged.

ineedaholidaynow · 07/04/2021 19:27

Wonder if the advice will change if the Brazilian variant becomes more widespread in this country as that seems to impact younger people more. Wonder if that would change the benefit v risk ratio

Username198 · 07/04/2021 19:27

@OnwardsAndSideways1 I think the problem will be if they introduce vaccine passports then it effectively is compulsory.

MarshaBradyo · 07/04/2021 19:27

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum

This is science not U turns. Covid is a new thing and the vaccines are new. As scientists learn more about either the advice changes. That is perfectly normal and reasonable.

Plus some people really need to grow up. I don't mind people worrying but acting like a entitled brat when people in other countries are unlikely to get vaccinations this year. Have the vaccine or don't but this is science nothing to do with GPs or the government or Brexit or whatever else rubbish you come out with next. We are lucky to have some amazing experts making sure we are safe. Whilst still vaccinating the population. Not every country is so privileged.

Truly yep painful to see.

As usual low understanding brings contempt. Unfortunately

CuriousaboutSamphire · 07/04/2021 19:29

[quote PandoraP]@CuriousaboutSamphire, I call it a uturn when only a week ago AZ was completely safe, now it’s not recommended for the under 30s. I give it a couple of weeks before it’s not recommended for the under 40s or 50s too.[/quote]
You haven't been listening, have you?

What was said was much more nuanced than that. Nobody said AZ is contra indicated for any age group.

Give it as long as you like, the longer you leave it the more data will be in and more changes to understanding will inform more procedural changes.

You should be happy that this happens, it shows how.much work is being done on covid, that no data is being ignored.

MrsWhites · 07/04/2021 19:31

Without giving 30 somethings a choice of vaccine I fear it will lead to a lot of cancelled appointments and people refusing the vaccine, who does that help?

I think it’s very unfair of some posters on this thread to label those concerned entitled brats, thinking they are special etc. People are concerned about a potentially fatal side effect, they don’t deserve to be called brats! Yes the risk of blood clots is low, but if you are healthy so is the risk of death from Covid!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 07/04/2021 19:32

Mancunian timing matters. Some of those decisions were made prior to any knowledge of clotting issues - which have since been seized upon to back engineer some 'proof'

MarshaBradyo · 07/04/2021 19:32

Without giving 30 somethings a choice of vaccine I fear it will lead to a lot of cancelled appointments and people refusing the vaccine, who does that help?

How many 30 year olds will be getting it now do you think?

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 07/04/2021 19:33

@ineedaholidaynow

Has anyone had a baby? I know I didn't think about the possibility of dying when I made the choice about getting pregnant.
In Chile recently they had faulty contraceptive pills given out. 150 pregnancies. No connection to your post. Just the mention of pregnancy reminded me
PandoraP · 07/04/2021 19:34

@CuriousaboutSamphire, sigh.... everyone with a different opinion to you is not listening, emotional, not science based, poor understandingHmm

CuriousaboutSamphire · 07/04/2021 19:35

At what point, what age, what weight of scientific opinion, MrsWhite ?

When do people acknowledge they don't have enough knowledge and have to give credence to the opinions of those who do?

Or is that kowtowing, being coerced, etc?

BuggerBognor · 07/04/2021 19:35

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

worriedatthemoment · 07/04/2021 19:35

So yes, I was being deliberately facetious, but the overarching point is correct. Nobody on MN would suggest that a woman should be ordered to take x instead of y in any other circumstances. It’s a basic choice that any adequate health service should be in a position to meet.
Its nothing to do with an adequate health service offering a choice as it stands we don't have the choice as we don't have the vaccines , not because we haven't bought them but because they have not all been produced , compared to many countries we are lucky with the amount of vaccines we do have and with what we have on order , but supplies are limited for now

nordica · 07/04/2021 19:36

I'm not sure why the under 30s are being given the limited supply of Moderna and Pfizer? Wouldn't it make more sense to prioritise those vaccines for the 40s and 30s age groups and the youngest can wait for Jansen/J&J which is due to be ready for roll out in July?

I think that's why this feels unfair for those of us between 31-49 as we are having to wait relatively long for our turn anyway (most of us won't have a first jab before restrictions are lifted this month and next) and now it feels like we are being overlooked again. And yet we are in the age groups that seemingly have an increased risk of covid but also an increased risk of these clots...

BuggerBognor · 07/04/2021 19:37

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

HazeyJaneII · 07/04/2021 19:37

@ineedaholidaynow

Has anyone had a baby? I know I didn't think about the possibility of dying when I made the choice about getting pregnant.
My second pregnancy ended up with me getting a rare cancerous gestational disease which led to a year of chemotherapy....so yes, it did cross my mind!! I think I probably have a weird perception of risk after this, and having a child with an incredibly rare genetic condition....when people say, 'it's a 1 in a few hundred thousand chance of x...', I kind of think, 'well someone has to be the 1!!'
MarshaBradyo · 07/04/2021 19:38

@nordica

I'm not sure why the under 30s are being given the limited supply of Moderna and Pfizer? Wouldn't it make more sense to prioritise those vaccines for the 40s and 30s age groups and the youngest can wait for Jansen/J&J which is due to be ready for roll out in July?

I think that's why this feels unfair for those of us between 31-49 as we are having to wait relatively long for our turn anyway (most of us won't have a first jab before restrictions are lifted this month and next) and now it feels like we are being overlooked again. And yet we are in the age groups that seemingly have an increased risk of covid but also an increased risk of these clots...

Are they?

I didn’t watch briefing but had assumed it would still go in age order

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 07/04/2021 19:39

[quote PandoraP]@CuriousaboutSamphire, I call it a uturn when only a week ago AZ was completely safe, now it’s not recommended for the under 30s. I give it a couple of weeks before it’s not recommended for the under 40s or 50s too.[/quote]
Nobody official Bobby has ever said any vaccine is totally safe. From my 46 year old memory anyway. Most medication people take regularly is not 100% safe either. All these things are risk assessed. They have just said AZ out weighs the risk of having covid if over 30. Whereas the EMA has said AZ out weighs the risk of having covid in all age ranges blah blah blah.

Roonerspismed · 07/04/2021 19:39

I’m more than happy for everyone to receive any vaccine ahead of me.

I can’t see a similar issue not happening with the others or something longer term.

I prefer for my vaccines to have gone through the stage four trials

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 07/04/2021 19:40

*BobbyGrin body

MrsWhites · 07/04/2021 19:41

@CuriousaboutSamphire it’s not all about scientific knowledge, it’s about people having a choice, having a say in the medication or medical treatments that they receive. It shouldn’t be a choice between a vaccine someone isn’t comfortable with or no vaccine at all.

Where will we be if a good chunk of under 50’s now refuse a vaccine on this basis, that doesn’t benefit anyone.

EasterIssland · 07/04/2021 19:42

@nordica

I'm not sure why the under 30s are being given the limited supply of Moderna and Pfizer? Wouldn't it make more sense to prioritise those vaccines for the 40s and 30s age groups and the youngest can wait for Jansen/J&J which is due to be ready for roll out in July?

I think that's why this feels unfair for those of us between 31-49 as we are having to wait relatively long for our turn anyway (most of us won't have a first jab before restrictions are lifted this month and next) and now it feels like we are being overlooked again. And yet we are in the age groups that seemingly have an increased risk of covid but also an increased risk of these clots...

Where official have you read this ? As nobody has said it. Risk is still one of the main factors of having bad side effects of COVID so doesn’t make sense now vaccinating 20-30 with Pfizer moderna whilst 30-50 are left unvaccinated