AstraZeneca - yes or no?

[merrymelody]

Our local pharmacy is offering the AstraZeneca vaccine. I thought I would jump at the chance to be vaccinated but somehow, I don't feel comfortable about this brand. Am I being silky?

I don't think it is less effective, especially not 'significantly less effective'. Even if you don't look at any other data case numbers, deaths and hospitalisation in the UK should be enough to convince you it works.

I think it's normal to feel some unease if you're in your 20's / 30's given the amount of press reporting. I think on balance I'd still have it (the benefits still outweigh the risks) but be sure I sought early medical attention if I developed any symptoms of the extremely rare CVST.

I also think you need to weigh up your unease against how long you might wait for another appointment to be offered (with no guarantee of which vaccine you'd get at that point) because there were articles yesterday that put your June date in doubt. I feel unease about the risk of society reopening, cases increasing and me still having no protection whatsoever.

I don’t think it’s silly when they’re investigating a link between AZ and rare blood clots. I think it’s sensible if that’s what is right for you.

YABVU, you will never have a choice over what brand you have.

Don't have it - chance of death and passing on covid.

Have it - significantly reduce chance of death, hospitalization and passing it to others.

Has any of this research into the vaccine been peer reviewed yet? Or is it just propaganda being drip fed to scare people into not getting the AZ. Who came up with the research and who funds them?

No, YANBU I certainly won’t be getting it. Two people I know have vertigo which the GP’s have said is a known side effect. Especially if you’ve suffered from a vestibular disease/inner ear infections/mastoid infection. I don’t care how many people feel bizarrely ecstatic that they’ve had it, I’m not!

How did you find out about the pharmacy having vaccines available, and where do you live? Because I'm desperate to be vaccinated, and am a woman (just) under 40.

I live in Canada.

In Norway I think they vaccinated 120k people approximately with Astra Zeneca. And 6 had the clot. So 1 in 20,000 or so.

It is low, but not as low as others are making out. And I can’t understand why the incidence seems to be higher in Norway than other countries. Are they better at monitoring?

Omg yes, go for it!!

Maybe.

I've had immune thrombocytopenia in the past, following a respiratory virus. I don't want AZ at they moment, due to lack of understanding of the possible risk but that doesn't mean that when more understanding and information is available that I wouldn't have it.

I don’t think you are I think there is more to what’s going on than they are saying for obvious reasons. Other countries would not be making such a fuss about it otherwise.

@YukoandHiro

Yes. As an example, if you're a woman in your 40s with no underlying conditions the chances of death by blood clot after AZ are some like 2.5 million to one, and your chances of dying of coronavirus are just under 1,000 to one. Take it.

Made up stats!

I really really want to be vaccinated but I'm worried about possible side effects. So I thought I'd ask on MN to see what the consensus is...

I would take the jab if offered, but I don't think it's unreasonable to be a little concerned about the blood clot risk - it's obviously not something that's been invented out of thin air.

I believe the technical term for this sort is question is that it is a “ No brainer”!

Even if the risk is as low as 1 in 20,000 (which it isn’t)

Do you people have any concept of risk?

Oh look, another one who has read all this negative stuff about the AZ and has somehow managed to miss reading all the evidence disproving it 🙄

Up to you OP, I don't know how it works in Canada, but if you refuse will there likely be chances to have one of the other jabs down the line? I have had both doses now (AZ) but seen as though I've been on the pill for years the odds to me from it seem low, and covid also causes blood clots in some, so it's all just balancing the risk of that Vs covid which will depend on what you do for work.

Do what you feel comfortable with but there's not been positive things said about it currently in the news, I can Understand people questioning it.

@merrymelody

I live in Canada.

If you live in Canada will they even give it to you? I thought they’d suspended giving it to people under 55? (I assume you’re younger than that from your comment about it’s effectiveness in the under 50s?)

Have it. You will be absolutely fine.

No, I wouldn't. I have had both doses of Pfizer but would not have Astra.

If you have read some of the threads last few days on the same topic, answer is quite clear. There are tons of info and risk is miniscule.

I’ve had both doses of AZ.
The Pfizer is only going to those needing a second dose where I work.

I would absolutely take it. There are risks of clots from lots of medicine (most obviously the contraceptive pill!) and of course from Covid too. I'll take my chances with the jab, when it's offered.

@YukoandHiro

Yes. As an example, if you're a woman in your 40s with no underlying conditions the chances of death by blood clot after AZ are some like 2.5 million to one, and your chances of dying of coronavirus are just under 1,000 to one. Take it.

Where do you get the figure from for the risk of dying with COVID?

I’m an overweight 45 year old woman with no underlying health conditions. According to the QCovid calculator my risk of dying with COVID is 1 in 76,000.

YABVU

Had 2 lads at work talking about getting a fake vaccine passport for when the time comes to go on holiday.

Are you as dopey as these two???

I told them, just get the jab and you can have a free vaccine passport!!!

No words ...