People Refusing Astra Zeneca - What Happens?

[Nootkah]

I've seen an increasing number of people on here and on social media saying they'll go to their mass vaccination centre appointment but if it's Astea Zeneca, they'll refuse. I'm curious as to what actually happens next? They've had an appointment, been offered a vaccine that remains approved for their group, and have declined. Are they "ticked off" the list as "offered" or do they stay at the top of the list for upcoming appointments and continue to be invited?

@Cookerhood

If it really is the spike protein attaching to platelets & being targeted by the immune system (is there evidence of this?) it will likely be all the vaccines.

Given all the similar vascular issues from covid, I also find that plausible. There have also been cases with all the vaccines (US reports for P/ M as well as Europe reports for AZ and J), and rare cases in the past unconnected to covid or vaccines. If it is the spike protein, then the fact of there being proportionally miniscule case numbers with vaccine compared with covid case numbers would suggest a protective effect for some of those potential cases from having the vaccine. (That some of them will now decline due to poor risk assessment capability.)

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

Those saying you won't have the AZ vaccine - have you read up on the clot risks as compared to eg the contraceptive pill and pregnancy? Are you avoiding those too? Or the risk of clotting if you get COVID? There is some perspective needed here.

And the thrombocytopenia risks from paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin.

I think its ridiculous that you can't find out before you book which centres have which vaccines so you can make an informed choice.

Have you done this with every other vaccine you/your children have had? If not why not?

I think it’s ridiculous how entitled some people are behaving over this. Unless it’s clinically contra indicated to have a specific brand, take what you’re offered or get to the back of the queue.

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

Those saying you won't have the AZ vaccine - have you read up on the clot risks as compared to eg the contraceptive pill and pregnancy? Are you avoiding those too? Or the risk of clotting if you get COVID? There is some perspective needed here.

There are some people (myself included) who can't take the contraceptive pill due to medical conditions increasing the risk of blood clots much greater than the average population.

So it's pretty reasonable for those of us to seek answers given we are told not to take certain things because of increased risk.
When I enquired I was told that given my medical history it would be best for me to have the Pfizer or moderna jab this was with a vaccination line.

I was due for second O-AZ but got a call cancelling that appointment and advising me to go there and then for a Pfizer jab. Had first dose of both, but will only have second dose of Pfizer.

I think there are a good few others - particularly younger higher risk people who will be told the same.

@Scottishskifun then that is fair enough and I wouldn't take that risk either. My comment was aimed at those who haven't looked at the risk of AZ vs other medication they'd happily take and other situations they have been in (e.g. pregnancy) or situations they are putting themselves in (eg increased risk of catching COVID and associated blood clot risk).

@scottishskifun that's great that you will be able to book a different centre to get the vaccine that is right for you. I hope there will be some way for me to do that too, but I'm in England so it is probably different.

My local GP surgery has put a note up on their site about it this morning which basically says not to call them about it.

I am interested in knowing too. The NHS is spending a lot of time and money chasing up those at higher risk who haven't taken up a vaccine so I think resources are going to mean that continues through all the categories. We have had at least 2 letters a week to a person who has never lived at our address but has registered it with a GP chasing them for their vaccine and as this has been since Jan I assume they are high priority so I reckon they will keep up the same process as they move down the groups. (Yes I have notified the GP and the vaccine centre and returned every single item of post).

So it's pretty reasonable for those of us to seek answers given we are told not to take certain things because of increased risk.
When I enquired I was told that given my medical history it would be best for me to have the Pfizer or moderna jab this was with a vaccination line.

scottishskifun that’s absolutely reasonable, and also you sorted it out beforehand. My issue is with people at no particular risk who expect to turn up at a vaccination centre and have a long conversation with staff and cancel their appointment if the vaccination on offer is not to their preference.

They are doing a ‘mix and match’ jab in France for younger people. The jabs haven’t been tested on this basis - are they just making it up as they go along?

@MrsFezziwig it's taken quite a bit of calling around, I still have to wait for the letter then call up the reschedule line and explain all over again, get a new appointment and hope that when I turn up its available.
Unfortunately media information is to contact your GP, GPs say no not us call this line and you go around the houses quite a bit so for many people who are unsure it's difficult. I also don't know if the same is possible in England!

I do get the frustration of people wasting appointments to say no for no reason but for some people they might not have been able to get the answers in advance.

Nofriend. Yes starting again. I’ll have second dose of Pfizer in a few weeks.

In U.K. No problem with first AZ, in fact barely noticed I’d had it but high risk of low platelets historically. My GP said best to be cautious. A friends 18 year old daughter has been advised the same in a different part of the country. I think it’s maybe because I had it via GP and not via a vaccination centre, so more personalised risk assessment.

When I had mine they'd saved the last AZ as I was pre-booked and they had lots of spares that day so had called in local teachers to use the spares.

I was the last booked appointment of the day.

I asked to swap to Pfizer if possible as knew they had both in that day.

They swapped me very happily as there were people waiting in case AZ were freed up! I was personally surprised multiple people wanted AZ over Pfizer.

Just to clarify - had it only been AZ that day, or they'd said no, then I would have happily taken it!!

Sorry missed my point

But it was to say there seems to be a lot of people who have AZ preference. So maybe it'll even out anyway.

I was vaccinated a couple if days ago at a vaccination center. They asked if I minded the AZ vaccine. I asked what the alternative was. They advised the alternative was not getting vaccinated that day and returning in 2 months when they might have other vaccines.
I took the AZ vaccine.

I’ve had a brain clot & a lung clot in my medical history. I’m also female in my early 40’s.

I looked at the wider risk and the risk of clotting with covid came out higher so I took the AZ one when it was offered - after talking to the medical experts.

No one should feel pressured to have any vaccine but people need to look at all the risks and discuss with a medical person rather than google or other random media sources - who really have loved making a lot of drama out of anything.

I’ve no idea if I’ll have another brain bleed as I’ve never known why I had the first one - I continue to live my life. Looking forward to when I Covid risks reduce so I can do!

I just want to get my second AZ jab done ASAP.
It's likely most of the other jabs will have some kind of scare as the numbers of vaccinations increase.
The single shot Johnson and Johnson vac may already be linked to blood clot problems.

That's exactly how I feel Marin. Yes it's concerning but I'd come off very badly against Covid so I am happy to take my chances with the AZ. I just want to get my second jab done so I can stop stressing about it.

I want my first one! I'll happily take whatever is given to me, I really don't care what vaccine it is as the risk is so small.

I'm 43 and had my first az dose yesterday as have previous posters has said the alternative risks are far higher and even though my mum has a history of clots. Mind boggling really the amount who want to refuse it but we should just be grateful we live somewhere where there is a choice.

DH has his booked next week but I can't book mine yet. He's going to ask when he gets his if there's any point in me turning up at the end of the day for a leftover dose. If people are turning down the AZ, I might get lucky!

@JesusInTheCabbageVan go along with him and wait in the car if you can! My mum went along with my dad just in case, there weren't spares that day but it's worth a go and doesn't hurt to ask.

@StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind we live literally a minute's walk from a vaccination centre! So when he goes for his appt. I'll be waiting by the door with my running shoes on.