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?

@BuggerBognor why do you blame the goverment or nhs for lack of vaccines more than enough has been ordered but supply isn't there at the moment as the whole world wants it

First bullet point on the MHRA webpage is The MHRA is not recommending age restrictions in COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca vaccine use.

That is based on their assessment that the benefits still outweigh the risks for all age groups, looking at the data (science) thus far. We also have to bear in mind that the data on these vaccines is rolling, and continuously being monitored/reviewed by medicines regulators the world over.

www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-issues-new-advice-concluding-a-possible-link-between-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca-and-extremely-rare-unlikely-to-occur-blood-clots

@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...

this is what I understood too, they would be reserving moderna and pfizer for under 30 and so the 30-50 will only get the limited AZ supply and hence have further delays. It seems unfair that now we have an alternative vaccine available it's being prioritised to a different age group which has a lower risk of serious illness from covid.

@BuggerBognor

Yes I do all of the above, obviously - but not at the behest of the government, for the overwhelming benefit of others (rather than myself) and when there is a safer alternative available.

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.

Nobody is ordering anyone. If you don't want the jab don't have it. You are risking having to wait until they offer you an alternative but they may not be able to do that very quickly. Everyone should have free choice and does.

Apparently Russia is being investigated by the EU for forcing people to take part in their Sputnik trials. That is called being ordered to have a vaccine. Our government and the NHS highly advised you to have AZ if offered. Completely different as you won't get the police turning up at your door if you refuse.

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum, I understand that no vaccines are 100% safe. Why do people insist you must be a complete thicko of you are of a different opinion to the U.K. government approach?
Clearly many countries in Europe take a different approach. The latest is Belgium who will only give the AZ to the over 55s.

Other issues or cautionary advice may be also be taken into account and considered by countries at the national level.

@BuggerBognor your not being forced though , you can wait
Fair enough your dr dh was unwell but others were not so everyone needs to make their own choices
I had az 1st dose no symptoms what so ever but am in my 40's do yes does worry me and I will try to find out as much as I can about the risks before I have 2nd jab or I may not have the 2nd jab as I am not being forced to and do still have a choice
Hopefully by time my 2nd one is due we will know more
Also I am not convinced the others are risk free either and I am more concerned when its my 18 year olds ds turn

@nordica @User5485421134 the guardian is saying opposite to you.

Below 30s would be the ones waiting
www.theguardian.com/society/2021/apr/07/under-30s-may-have-small-delay-in-getting-covid-jab-says-jonathan-van-tam

@BuggerBognor vaccine passports are looking less likely , obviously for travel we have no say in what other countries may decide

I think you are confusing the EMA and HMRA

I’d rather follow the EMA!

@anyoldtime

I think you are confusing the EMA and HMRA

I’d rather follow the EMA!

Why?

@ineedaholidaynow

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

That is exactly what they are saying. The EU case numbers are high. So the EMA feels the risk of covid is worse. Our cases are currently low so the risk of covid is less.

AZ works well with the Brazilian variant. So if cases go up and either the original, Kent or Brazilian variants are to blame. The guidance for AZ will likely change too.

[quote PandoraP]@CuriousaboutSamphire, sigh.... everyone with a different opinion to you is not listening, emotional, not science based, poor understanding[/quote]
Sigh! When a poster chooses to offer their feelings and beliefs into a discussion about the science presented by multi national agencies on a specific set of data then yes... not reading the room, not listening, not understanding.

If you're not at risk (in Covid risk category) having looked at the data, you don't need a vax anyway.
It is NOT an immunisation.

What have the ema said have they updated ?

@anyoldtime

I think you are confusing the EMA and HMRA

I’d rather follow the EMA!

Why?

Until very recently they were, to all intents and purposes, the same agency.

Oh, and you cropped that to make it say something I didn't.

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum Brazil have a contract with Pfizer - what does that tell you.
If some of you turn your boxes off you might learn something.
This vax propaganda is getting seriously out of hand. They are for vulnerable NOT for young and/or healthy.
They are not immunisations.
They do not stop transmission.
Millions upon millions of ppl have had Covid and recovered, because as was originally advised, the majority aren't at risk from it, as the majority have fully functioning immune systems.
This hysteria is madness.

[quote Username198]@OnwardsAndSideways1 I think the problem will be if they introduce vaccine passports then it effectively is compulsory.[/quote]
That is why they have been mumbling about vaccine passports or doing a test. Which seems a fair trade off or don't do whatever it is for🤷‍♀️

@VenusTiger

If you're not at risk (in Covid risk category) having looked at the data, you don't need a vax anyway. It is NOT an immunisation.

Nobody has said it is.

Just as having the vaccine is not purely for the individual.

@CuriousaboutSamphire, so all the countries who have paused or set other restrictions on the AZ vaccine than the U.K. are also not understanding, not reading the room, not listening?

Go on then Tiger educate us!

Brazil have a contract with Pfizer - what does that tell you.
If some of you turn your boxes off you might learn something.
This vax propaganda is getting seriously out of hand. They are for vulnerable NOT for young and/or healthy.
They are not immunisations.
They do not stop transmission.
Millions upon millions of ppl have had Covid and recovered, because as was originally advised, the majority aren't at risk from it, as the majority have fully functioning immune systems.
This hysteria is madness.

Thank you Venus.