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.

@Rainbowsandstorms that's a misstatement I think.

So far all of the clotting issues have come after the first jab. Nobody (5 million and counting in the UK) has had a simialr reaction after the 2nd jab.

So a true statement would be: at this moment there is 0 risk of the same clotting after the 2nd jab

But that wouldn't be a sensible thing to say - though it is what some across SM have started to spout.

A better statement is, as has been said by many experts: At the moment we have seen no similar issues after the second jab. But it is far too early to say anything with any confidence.

OP I am 57 so just a year older than you and I will definitely be going ahead with my 2nd AZ dose.

I am confident the risk is very, very low.

I believe only 800,000 second doses have been given and there haven’t been any clots reported after second doses but due to the rare occurrence of the clots this sample size isn’t big enough to draw any conclusions

It’s closer to five million.

I think they've said no one has had issues after a second dose, I know that isn't totally reassuring as obviously far few people have had second doses.

I understand it is worrying but I will be having my second dose as I want to get back to a normal life.

I don't trust our govt but I am inclined to believe JVT, I assume lots of people think that so he was the one to do the briefing.

So does that mean all UK cases are with first shot?

AZ has been given since 4/01, and as second shot bookings are from about 10 weeks and onwards, there will have been about a month of second shots, and given our vaccine priority order it is likely that many of them will be HCPs, so younger women will be in that group.

Does the info from other countries also relate to first shot only?

You real need to look at the stats here. The risk is minuscule. Have you ever been on the pill? Do you drive? Do you drink wine? All these things pose much higher risks.

[quote CuriousaboutSamphire]@Rainbowsandstorms that's a misstatement I think.

So far all of the clotting issues have come after the first jab. Nobody (5 million and counting in the UK) has had a simialr reaction after the 2nd jab.

So a true statement would be: at this moment there is 0 risk of the same clotting after the 2nd jab

But that wouldn't be a sensible thing to say - though it is what some across SM have started to spout.

A better statement is, as has been said by many experts: At the moment we have seen no similar issues after the second jab. But it is far too early to say anything with any confidence.[/quote]
Do you know how many of the 5,000,000 second doses were AZ? I think Pfizer were being used before AZ so I imagine alot of the 2nd doses are Pfizer.

Won't affect me, I'm having the AZ unless they stop it, 2nd dose due on the 23rd and I can't wait.

It’s closer to five million.

Most of them are not AZ.

OP is concerned. The facts do not really support her conclusion. But misinformation isn't going to help her be reassured.

There are no reported cases of blood clots after the 2nd dose of AZ. I am 57 and had the jab three weeks ago and I can’t wait to get my second. I am far more afraid of catching COVID, which can cause blood clots, respiratory failure and organ failure, and is far more likely to than the AZ vaccination.
This side effect is very, very rare and not even proven to be linked. It saddens me that people are getting the risk out of all proportion.

I wonder whether the change in policy for under-30s might mean over-30s get pushed forward for AZ? Don't know how old you are, though!

Moderna and Novavax were due to be rolled out in the next week or so. It does strike me that rolling it out to the over 30s doesn't make so much sense now. I believe there are only 500,000 moderna vaccines available anyway. But I guess it depends on how much of a squeeze on Pfizer there is. It may mean that there is something of a delay for the under 30s. And it may mean that there is less chance of the 30 - 50 year old group getting anything but AZ just because of pure numbers.

The number of shits I give about which one I got is precisely none. I am not worried at all. I am far more likely to be killed in a car crash or get some other terminal illness or die of covid itself.

I had sepsis last year and was admitted to hospital. It resulted in a 3 inch blood clot in my neck and brain (jugular vein). I've had the 1st dose of AZ and will have my 2nd in May. It was deemed safe for me.

I had a slight reaction to the vaccine - achy joints and a headache, but nothing else and certainly no blood clot issues. My existing clot hasn't worsened either.

I'll be having my 2nd dose - Covid is far more dangerous!

I’m under 30 I’ve had the one that’s now banned for under 30s but only first dose what are people like me meant to do ?

@bumbleymummy

Do you have a link to that science *@saraclara*. Could be reassuring for people concerned about their second dose to read.

I read it late last night, but can't for the life of me remember where. Which is really annoying as it was a really good article. I'll post a link as soon as I find it again.

@Wakeupin2022

It’s closer to five million.

Most of them are not AZ.

OP is concerned. The facts do not really support her conclusion. But misinformation isn't going to help her be reassured.

I think that info was linked to an another thread. I'll have a look. It was answering a different question, I didn't notice how many of which!

Not sure about the ratios

@Witchesbelazy

I’m under 30 I’ve had the one that’s now banned for under 30s but only first dose what are people like me meant to do ?

It's not banned. And yes, people like you are advised to have your second jab. It's the first dose that carries the tiny risk, so if you were okay with that one, you are fine to take the second.

AZ has been given since May 2020

They do not have much data for 2nd doses!

Please don't claim that 2nd doses are OK (they probably are but we don't know).

RTB we still 20 million Pfizer, and increased deliveries of Moderna plus J&J from July (I think that one is suspect unless we get from US ).

I do think there is some logic to giving Moderna to under 30s now, but as a 40 something waiting, with primary school age kids, I think my risks are higher.

If I can get AZ soon though I will be delighted.

@Witchesbelazy

I’m under 30 I’ve had the one that’s now banned for under 30s but only first dose what are people like me meant to do ?

No vaccine has been bannned for under 30s.

When you get your call up you will be be given the updated information. You will be offered the choice, AZ or Other, if and only if there is another vaccine available to you. This will become more clear as time goes on a bit, they may come out with something more firm. But there is no ban on nay vaccine for any age group.

In the absence of the article I was searching for regarding the different risk between the two doses, I did find this one which I think communicates the general risk very clearly. Especially look at the graphs that show the clot risk relative to the risk of Covid admittance to ITU. Unless you're shielding, the second or even third graphs will apply to you.

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-what-is-the-blood-clot-risk-from-the-oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-and-how-does-it-compare-12268572

It may mean that there is something of a delay for the under 30s
If due to supply issues there is only AZ available, I imagine they’ll give under 30s a choice to have AZ now or wait for an alternative. AZ is not banned for under 30s, it’s just recommended against if there is an alternative available.

I spoke to our hospital exe about this and our trust would not offer you the Pfizer vaccine if you have already had AZ.

You are aware that there are similar very rare but deadly cases with both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines too? Just because you don't hear about them doesn't mean they don't exist - they are much more commonly known about in the US / scientific community. As with the AZ, nobody is 100% positive yet whether the vaccine is really responsible, or, if it is, why. But we are talking about exactly the same position - there appears to be a link, but it could be nothing more than a horrible coincidence. And even if there is a link, would you prefer to take your chances with Covid - dying is still rare (although more common than with the vaccines and definitely linked to the virus!).

But it is irrelevant whether "they" will allow you to switch vaccines (no) because you are taking exactly the same risk with any other vaccine. But you take bigger risks than that when you get in the car....

The risks maybe minimal but are still real. My daughter had these side effects from AZ vaccine and was bluelighted to hospital and was kept in for days. She is still experiencing side effects and had been told it was a direc5 link to vaccine and that she cannot have the next AZ vaccine. We were so lucky that we acted promptly and that the NHS were amazing. She has underlying health issues. However, she had COVID in November and this was no more than heavy cold. I am so frustrated with people being so dismissive regarding the risks. The risks of actually dying from COVID are also low. OP you need to make your own assessment and speak to GP

theres alot in the news yes but the statsitcs still say its lower risk than not having it and getting covid

im due a secind dose in june i wil be getting it unless the advice changes

Here's the relative risk from the first AZ jab vs ITU admission risk for most of us

e3.365dm.com/21/04/2048x1152/skynews-vaccine-astrazeneca_5333508.jpg?bypass-service-worker&20210407174647

And for those of us in public facing jobs etc

e3.365dm.com/21/04/2048x1152/skynews-covid-vaccine-astrazeneca_5333515.jpg?bypass-service-worker&20210407175300