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Original poster

I've decided not to go ahead with my 2nd dose of the AZ vaccine. I'm happy having the Pfizer - will this be allowed?

431 replies

Ashleys63 · 08/04/2021 09:09

I've just lost all confidence in the AZ vaccine and regret having it at all.
I know the risks are tiny etc etc but I want a vaccine without these associated risks.
I'm 56 so in one of the top groups but just feel so uneasy about it all now.

OP posts:
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Rainbowsandstorms · 08/04/2021 11:48

I can completely sympathise with your dilemma. I’m in my 30s and had my first dose 12 days ago. I’m lucky in someways as there is quite a bit of time before I’m due my second dose so I’ll see how things unfold. Did you watch the press conference yesterday? It was about an hour long but was very informative. If you haven’t seen them there were some slides that showed the risk of the vaccination v the risk of covid in the different age brackets which would give you a better idea of your personal risk v benefits. Basically the older you are the smaller the risk of clots and the higher the risk of covid. I’ve just looked at the slides and in your 50s the risk from the vaccination is half the risk posed to someone in their 30s and the risk of covid is 4 times that of someone in their 30s. Only you can make the decision but all vaccinations carry risk and at present the risk of clots is now well known so you’d know what to look out for and when to seek medical attention. I think the risk v benefits is much more finely balanced the younger you are but in your 50s there are fairly significant risks with covid. Re second doses there don’t seem to have been any clotting cases after second doses but they were clear yesterday that there isn’t yet enough data to draw any conclusions. I believe 800,000 second doses of AZ have been given. I’d be really interested to see some data re the level and longevity of protection from the first dose of AZ. I hope you’re able to come to a decision that you feel comfortable with.

LuluJakey1 · 08/04/2021 11:49

If you don't have the second dose of AZ, the effects of the first dose will wear off in time- it starts soon after 12 weeks which is why you have to have the second dose at 12 weeks to top it up and strengthen the response.

I think you could have Pfizer in say 6 months time but would need a full course. Might be worth discussing it at a vacc clinic.

bookworm1632 · 08/04/2021 11:49

Not a single case of a clot following the SECOND dose of AZ.

Risks currently = 0%

roguetomato · 08/04/2021 11:51

Just seen this, I do think pfizer is not much different when it comes to a risk as a vaccine. Still regarded as benefit outweigh the risk, same as AZ.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/975808/COVID-19_mRNA_Pfizer-BioNTech_Vaccine_Analysis_Print.pdf

Bagelsandbrie · 08/04/2021 11:54

I don’t know how people can keep saying the second dose is safe - we haven’t reached the same figures of people having the second dose yet as the first! So how would we know? It’s a work in progress.

Despite that I’m still going to have my second as I think the risks are tiny and as someone in the clinically extremely vulnerable group I’d rather take my chances with the vaccine than Covid.

oneglassandpuzzled · 08/04/2021 11:54

Our GP surgery has just put out a FB notice telling people that they will be having a second dose of whatever they had first time round, unless there is a history of increased blood risks.

NutellaEllaElla · 08/04/2021 11:56

OP, the risk of getting a blood clot after having had covid is far far higher AND your risk of contracting covid is really high and the consequences of that vary from not great to awful. Why doesn't that scare you more?

MummyPop00 · 08/04/2021 11:56

Why do people still bang the ‘no risk from the second jab’ line.

This situation hasn’t evolved for long enough for us to know that for sure. Could be a slow burner for all we know.

Boringlynormal · 08/04/2021 11:57

Probably because not many people have had a second dose yet

I think we differ, I think five million people is a lot of people.

Sorry but 5 million people in our age groups have not had a second dose of AZ. It's less than a million.

TidyOmlette · 08/04/2021 11:58

The problem is everything you do medically has a risk, even taking paracetamol. It is however your choice. But as someone who has seen what COVID does to healthy people I would urge everyone who can to take precautions

Coffeepot72 · 08/04/2021 11:58

According to a scientist on BBC breakfast this morning, if you have already had your first dose, and had no issues within the first 2/3 weeks, then you can be sure the vaccine is ok for you.

I am 51 and will be having my second AZ dose first week in May.

anyoldtime · 08/04/2021 12:01

EMA advised yesterday that there isn't enough data re mixing vaccines.
I'm in a similar situation OP. I have had the AZ first dose, had side effects and will not be taking the second dose. I regret taking the AZ terribly. Goodness only knows what info will come out about it in weeks, months, years to come.

I asked doctors in the Emergency Dept what to do about it and they hesitated answering me. I was not told/recommended to skip the second dose, nor was I advised to take the second dose. The feeling I got was not to take it.

Wakeupin2022 · 08/04/2021 12:01

I don't think dismissing the risk is the right thing to do .

Forewarned is forearmed. There is a possible link (looms increasingly likely) but for for vast majority of us, that risk is significantly less than covid.

All vaccines and medicines have risks so nothing new there.

This does not sound like just a blood clot! We do not have any instances with Pfizer that are the same.

There are few 2nd doses given in the UK do we do not have much understanding what the risk with 2nd doses is. That was said yesterday and is being monitored.

I will take any vaccine I am offered including AZ, but I go in aware of the risks, just like I read any leaflets for medication before I take it.

Sitchervice · 08/04/2021 12:02

@Ashleys63 lovely you are much better off talking to a medical professional than asking for advice on a forum about this thing.

TristantheTyrannosaurus · 08/04/2021 12:04

All the reactions have been after the first dose. The media is being ridiculous.

Frazzled2207 · 08/04/2021 12:04

I've just read that 240 people get a blood clot in the UK every single day.
Out of 18 million people who've had the vaccine there are about 30 incidences. In that time tens of thousands will have got blood clots for other reasons.
Every kind of medication carries a risk. And it's not just about the personal risk. It's on all of us to have a vaccine to make it much harder for this virus to spread. I just can't get my head round why the risk is not seen as acceptable given the alternative (never ending lockdowns, many many more dead)

Coffeepot72 · 08/04/2021 12:04

I think 79 people out of 20 million have had a problem. I think you’re more likely to get hit by a speeding donkey or a flying fridge? 😃

Frazzled2207 · 08/04/2021 12:05

@TristantheTyrannosaurus

All the reactions have been after the first dose. The media is being ridiculous.
tbf hardly anyone has had a second dose of it in the UK. The vast majority of second doses have been pfizer so far. So I'm not sure about this argument.
user1498572889 · 08/04/2021 12:06

I am 56 and have had my second dose of AZ i have been fine infact i did not even have a sore arm this time.

LilyPond2 · 08/04/2021 12:07

OP, at age 56 your position is completely illogical. Even the countries which have taken a more cautious view of giving the AZ vaccine to younger age groups (eg France and Canada) have still concluded that the benefits outweigh the risks for those over 55. I believe only Germany has set a lower age limit for AZ that is above your own age (ie age 60, so still quite close to your own age).

Namechange1991x · 08/04/2021 12:12

My sister has requested this because our mum and great grandma both died, pre covid, of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Both undiagnosed, brain stem dead in a week. We were children..anyway she went to her GP, or spoke to I should say, who sympathised..she is going to speak to the medical.board about it. But I am assuming this is the sort of exception that may be allowed, as the clot is rare but not to our family.

JanetheObscure · 08/04/2021 12:13

OP, if this helps you make up your mind....

Friend of ours caught Covid last April at the age of 57. Admitted to ICU and then had two strokes, having developed a large number of blood clots. Fit, healthy, no underlying conditions and no family history of clots.

Friend recovered from Covid, but continues to have cognitive problems due to the strokes.

At your age (almost exactly the same as our friend's), Covid itself is more likely to give you blood clots than the vaccine is.

RuthW · 08/04/2021 12:13

No you won't be allowed this. (This is what we have been told to tell our patients)

TristantheTyrannosaurus · 08/04/2021 12:14

tbf hardly anyone has had a second dose of it in the UK. The vast majority of second doses have been pfizer so far. So I'm not sure about this argument.

It's not an argument Hmm. Does everything have to be an argument? It's a fact.