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?

[Ashleys63]

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.

There is a distinct window for clot concerns - I think it is 3-16 days - and if you have passed this you no longer need to worry.

@ittakes2, please could you (or anyone) point me towards a source for the 3-16 day window?

I am on day 14 after the first AZ vaccine, and although I know that the risk is vanishingly small, I tend to be quite anxious and I would like to know exactly when I am considered to be out of the danger zone. I have seen some reports that say 2 weeks, others that say 20 days, and now there is this reference to 16 days. I know I can't do anything about the risk either way, but I'd still like to know.

I will have the second jab despite my anxieties, because I know that my risk from covid is much, much higher than it is from the vaccine. It also makes sense to me that any risk associated with the vaccine would be lower if people haven't reacted badly to the first shot.

Great OP, I'll have your second jab. I am 58.

@RuthW what about in a case like my sister's which I posted two comments above?

I am due my second dose of AZ in May and have no issues with that at all. However, if you feel uneasy, you feel uneasy, but I don't think an option to choose a different vaccine is possible (or necessarily better - trials are still ongoing regarding mixing of vaccines). I don't think you will find a vaccine without "these associated risks" either <a class="break-all" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/health/immune-thrombocytopenia-covid-vaccine-blood.html?fbclid=IwAR2vpKDqbaiCxPpMySRwcc3sFKgZTluF1WfYZy5gLd2W2WDxEjVMzucE8sg#click=t.co/NmRIHhJH2c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/health/immune-thrombocytopenia-covid-vaccine-blood.html?fbclid=IwAR2vpKDqbaiCxPpMySRwcc3sFKgZTluF1WfYZy5gLd2W2WDxEjVMzucE8sg#click=t.co/NmRIHhJH2c. Every medicine has a risk.

All clots occurred between day 8 and 20 of the first jab only. Chances are your second dose is going to be delayed by months anyway, more time to decide.

I still have relatively youngish children for my age (11 and 13) so I’d rather take the risk than be induced coma onto a ventilator after getting Covid and never waking up again to say goodbye to my family.

I’m 53 this year had my first AZ jab. I’ll still have the second, albeit reluctantly.

I was poorly for one day with the first jab. Not looking forward to that again.

Million to one chance of a vaccine related clot. Million to one chance of getting murdered, was the science stat yesterday. We’re being irrational about it, I know I am, but ultimately I’ll just have the second jab because: the above scenario.

No. And neither should it be, the studies on mixing different vaccines are not yet complete. And with the updated advice, Pfizer will be needed for the under 30s, unless we’re proposing to make younger people wait even longer for vaccinations so that the over 50s get to pick and choose?

It’s the first dose that everyone has had the blood clot from.

Just take the AZ one

You do realise the Pfizer vaccine also has associations with clots/deaths they're just not being as widely reported for whatever reason.

Up to you, but the risk of dying from Covid is significantly higher than the risk of serious side effects from getting vaccinated.

Of course you can't request a different vaccine.

I have had the first dose of the AZ vaccine and will be having my second dose too

oh fgs, just get your second dose and dont be an idiot.
Theres an absolutely miniscule risk. This is such an overreaction

This is so embarrassing.

Bloody hell, I'll have it for you - my jab date is receding further into the future every day.

@EmbarrassingMama

This is so embarrassing.

What's embarrassing?

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!
It's terrifying and also bringing up bad memories.

If this wasnt in our family, we wouldn't be worried, but it is.

If you've had the first and it's been a few days I don't see a reason to worry. All issues are with the first dose.

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

So a million people and not one case? Right?

I would have it. You can take some low dose Aspirin for a few days before and after which significantly reduces risk of clots (I do realise some people cannot tolerate aspirin).

It is a very tiny risk anyway but I understand it gives pause for thought.

I'm having my first vaccination later this month and will do that but have no idea which vaccine I'll be offered anyway.

Aren’t they advising people to not take aspirin before/after the vaccine. It’s not the same sort of blood clot that aspirin help with

I'll be having my 2nd AZ shot just as soon as I can.

The risk of a clot from Covid-19 is far higher. I'm normally fairly cynical about the information fed to us but in this case it's a no brainer.

Bloody hell, I'll have it for you - my jab date is receding further into the future every day.

Same. And when I still haven’t been offered a vaccine but we need vaccine passports or expensive tests to do just about anything enjoyable I will be even more fucking angry about it than I already am.

I should have added to my post that there's no reason to worry with the first dose generally as it's a few in a million. People are really irrational with risk and statistics. You're much more likely to die in a car crash than die from this vaccine. Plus blood clots are more prevalent in those with covid-19 so preventing it will reduce the likelihood of blood clots.

Oh my word, I can’t believe people are actually not going to run up for second doses off the back of this. NO clots occurred after second doses and the risk of dying even after the first jab was one in a million.
There will be PLENTY of other medicines you happily take throughout your life that will be far more risky

[quote SugarbabyMilly]@Quit4me - I think the comparison is designed to show that all medicines carry a risk. Not comparing the type of clot.[/quote]
It's a stupid comparison though. Everyone knows the Pill carries risks and people can make an informed choice to take it or not.