Looking for facts and data on what happens if I don't have my second vaccine

[Boringlynormal]

I tried this thread before but it ended up deleted - no idea what went on but I imagine it came down to different opinions on the discussion of vaccination. So I'm trying again but just looking (please please) for anything people know or any sources they can point me to about what immunity you get from just having ONE AstraZeneca vaccine.

I'm mid 30s and have had one (10 days ago) but due to the current situation am unsure about having a second. Obviously as well as waiting for news, part of my decision comes down to how much protection I will have from one dose and how long it will last so any info would be much appreciated.

(Pro vax, fully vaccinated, kids vaccinated against usual stuff and had my first AZ vaccine - this just comes down to the recent developments.)

In the cases of people who have developed blood clots, is there any indication of whether it happened after their first or second dose?

Why are people more concerned with getting blood clots from the vaccine but not Covid when there is much clearer evidence that Covid can cause blood clots (and death of course).

I also don't think I have ever seen someone start a thread on MN asking if they should get pregnant because it increases blood clot risk.

With a second dose the immunity increases and longevity of the immunity increases; nobody can tell you when the first dose immunity will start to wane except that it's more than 90 days. You'll be able to pay for antibody tests to confirm your immunity; unclear if that will open up all options for you but it would mean you can confirm your immunity. I don't think restrictions like covid passports will last more than two years unless particularly awful variants emerge (much worse than we've seen or expect).

You have many weeks to go before you need to make your decision, so just wait and see what happens by then. The risk is still vanishingly small, you personally are fine from your vaccination; so you can afford to just switch off and think of other things for a few weeks.

You have another 10 weeks to decide so I would just see what develops in the meantime and probably read some literature about it, no need to make a decision yet

I'm glad that it was changed from 3 to 12 weeks as I would have been due my second next week and probably wouldn't have gone ahead, whereas I may be more likely to have the second after a longer break.

I think you need to read some proper research around the subject before you make an informed decision. There’s a huge amount of misinformation and scaremongering around this vaccine so try and do your own research so you feel comfortable with your choice.

Does anyone know if the women who had the most severe reaction and sadly died, were they also using oral contraceptives?

If you've ever taken the pill, flown long haul or got pregnant, these are also activities which can increase the likelihood of a blood clot. A different kind of clot perhaps - I am not a doctor - but you do all of these things despite the small risk of a clot because they have a benefit to you. As does taking the Covid vaccine.

The bare fact is that if you are currently being offered a dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, statistically your chances of remaining alive and well will go UP if you take the vaccine and will go DOWN if you don’t.

Taking a covid vaccine / your second dose of a Covid vaccine also helps society by contributing to herd immunity and limiting the spread of the illness and thus the likelihood of new, vaccine resistant variants. The latter is the biggest threat to us being able to return to "normality" at any point in the near future. If the vaccine programme fails, then we're really screwed, practically back to square one. It's exactly the same as being told to always finish our course of antibiotics so as not to create antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

I'm a woman under 50 but I will take my second AZ jab gladly - because the minuscule risk to me - 1 in 600,000 - is much smaller than the risk to society from many people not taking it.

It's important to remember that Covid itself can also cause blood clots as well as many other health complications.

My friend who was perfectly healthy had a blood clot from Covid and nearly died. He is now disabled as they damaged a nerve when operating trying to get rid of the clot.

The thing is, you're far more likely to get a clot from actually having Covid. Or, from taking birth control, and we have no problems doing that, do we?

This was always the risk with the way it was being rolled out.

What do you mean @Roonerspismed? How should it have been rolled out?

This bloody passport effort is the only reason I'm having the second one in a couple of weeks.

I find it slightly easier to understand people who won’t have it at all, than this. It’s like people who don’t take full courses of antibiotics (which incidentally also have side effects) because they feel better after a few tablets.

The second dose is imports for longevity of immunity. You’re immunity from the first jab will likely drop off. You will also need two doses for vaccine passports/travel.

I don’t want a second dose based on guesswork though. The scientists made the vaccine two doses for a reason so I want to know what they expect to happen from one dose. If they do ban it in certain age groups I guess they’ll need to be clearer about second doses in that age group and that might give me some clarity even if I’m a little outside that age group.

I won’t do it for vaccine passports.

The scientists made the vaccine two doses for a reason so I want to know what they expect to happen from one dose.
They don't report to you though. They have information about what happens up to 90 days, then they recommend a second dose because that improves the effect. It isn't the job of scientists to help you change the approved regime all by yourself, it's their job to recommend. And they have, they recommend two doses.

@MrsFezziwig

This bloody passport effort is the only reason I'm having the second one in a couple of weeks.

I find it slightly easier to understand people who won’t have it at all, than this. It’s like people who don’t take full courses of antibiotics (which incidentally also have side effects) because they feel better after a few tablets.

With the amount of different drugs I'm on daily and two injections weekly, I'm fully aware that drugs have side effects.

The scientists made the vaccine two doses for a reason so I want to know what they expect to happen from one dose.

They don't report to you though. They have information about what happens up to 90 days, then they recommend a second dose because that improves the effect. It isn't the job of scientists to help you change the approved regime all by yourself, it's their job to recommend. And they have, they recommend two doses.

Based on their vaccine being safe. Now that we know they weren’t completely right about that, if they think people should put themselves in harms way a second time (no matter how small the risk) they should be more transparent about the benefit.

Assuming that your health isn’t a direct trigger, then it’s a one in a million risk

Many moons ago, i did a biochemistry degree and immunology was one of my modules. I am rusty enough to say that my knowledge of this is no more than anyone else . What i remember about vaccines us this - the first vaccine will result in the production if antibodues. These bind to antigens and march them off so the white blood cells can effectively gobble up the offending virus. However the number of antibodies decline over time. A second vaccine results in an increase in the number of cells that produce those specific antibodies. Which means they are primed and ready to attack the virus should infection occur. This will result in a quicker, more efficient response and the cells stick around for significantly longer. Annual boosters will increase this, however it may be that boosters will only be needed every few years ot if herd immunity results in the virus dying out ir being at low levels it wont be necessary.

I am sorry if that is not factually correct but that is vaguely how i remember it. So not taking the second vaccine = reduced immunity and a shorter period of protection.

Im 50, i had my AZ vaccine last Sunday. Ive had a low level headache ever since and my anxiety (for which i take meds) has rocketed. I will not be having my srcond vaccine. Ive had covid, it was fucking grim but i have lost faith in what we are being told, i trusted the government and im kicking myself. I actually think the chsnces of the blood clot are pretty slim, but i believe the odds are better than a lottery win. I just am appalled at how untranspatent the government have been. These side effects are not new information. Other countries have been raising concerns for weeks. So, no, i will not be gaving my 2nd jab and i have told my 30yo dd to not have it yet.

@Temp023

No, you should choose to have the second jab because you are then contributing to herd immunity, meaning there is a much reduced chance of the virus mutating to a new variant which potentially negates all the work we have done so far, putting us all back to square 1. Educate yourself on the real chance of getting a blood clot and then.. have your second dose of vaccine!

Nah, people are well within their right to make important health decisions based on what they consider to be best for themselves and their families, not for the 'herd'. Come on now.

25yearsnhsworker are you sure your dd had the AZ vaccine? It’s not licensed for under 18’s so she should have had Pfizer.

Update from me from yesterday’s post ... despite being convinced I was actually dying ( and would have considered it an option at the time!) I am now 95% back to normal!!
Stil a tiny bit weak and achey, but have got my appetite back, all other symptoms are gone, thank goodness!
As for having my second jab -yes I will... but I will be ready for any after- effects next time round!
And the anecdotes were pretty much correct regarding the time scale of feeling vile. Last a couple of days - just as well 😁 Hope my posts gel anyone wandering what happens

** help - not gel🙄

I have had an awful episode four days after having my first jab. It was like a focal seizure affecting my eye. Also severe headaches for several days. Whilst appreciating that I could have serious clots if I caught covid, I also am now extremely apprehensive about getting my second dose. I will be discussing further with my GP, but the GP I spoke to last week said that they have been given very little guidance as to how to advise people who keep ringing them having had severe headaches following the AZ vaccine. I'm not terribly confident that anyone is going to be able to advise me the best way to proceed but I do know that this episode was one of the scariest things to have happened to me medically and I would be very concerned if I thought it could happen again.

@FontyMcFontface

25yearsnhsworker are you sure your dd had the AZ vaccine? It’s not licensed for under 18’s so she should have had Pfizer.

Yes she did, I was at work and her older sister took her. They said to her once in the room that it hadn't been tested on under 18's and she had to agree to it despite this or could have declined. She wasn't given a choice of vaccine .