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Original poster

Alternatives to AstraZeneca vaccine for under 40s “could be considered” amid rise in blood clots

987 replies

Whichjab · 24/04/2021 09:52

www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/astrazeneca-vaccine-side-effects-blood-clots-under-40-b931498.html

This is concerning, especially as there is limited research into combining vaccinations. I feel that the trust in vaccination is being eroded. I have always been pro vacc but feeling much less so atm.
I'm not sure I will get my second jab now.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Carefulvulvadriver · 04/05/2021 08:20

I’m not sure that’s the outcome from the meeting on Friday, mainly because it makes no reference to the deliberations committee members were very clear in their media comments they were having to weigh up.

But the silence otherwise is very odd. If the JCVI agreed to keep the cut off point at 30, then I don’t see why that couldn’t have been announced over the weekend. I worry they are sitting on an announcement now until after the elections on Thursday. But I’m aware that does sound a bit conspiratorial, and it’s hard to see it not being leaked.

Schulte · 04/05/2021 08:24

Perhaps they feel that there is nothing to announce? If they’ve decided to stick with the current guidance then there is no news really...

StopCryingYourHeartOut · 04/05/2021 08:32

Well if nothing has changed. Why would they announce anything?

nordica · 04/05/2021 09:08

The numbers must have changed though so at the very least it would be reassuring if they showed us an updated risks vs benefits calculation and said it's still clear the benefits outweigh the risks for the 30-39 group...

Sounds like there are still many in the 40s age group unable to book appointments due to vaccine supply issues so I imagine booking won't open to the late 30s group until next week at the very earliest.

Carefulvulvadriver · 04/05/2021 10:16

here is the updated JCVI guidance on blood clots
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-and-blood-clotting/covid-19-vaccination-and-blood-clotting

out today, May 4.
It sounds like they are hedging. "preferable" the under 30s get an alternative (so no change there) but for the 30-50s it's saying they should get any available, despite implying the risk ratio is different than that of the over 50s group.

"If you are a healthy person over 30 to 50 years of age
The MHRA and the JCVI advises that all adults in this age group (including health and social care workers) should still receive any of the available COVID-19 vaccines.

The benefits of vaccination in protecting you against the serious consequences of COVID-19 outweigh any risk of this rare condition. You should also complete your course with the same vaccine you had for the first dose."

Carefulvulvadriver · 04/05/2021 10:19

hmmm, it isnt using the figures seen in the latest MHRA report:

"Although this condition remains extremely rare there appears to be a higher risk in people shortly after the first dose of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine. Around 4 people develop this condition for every million doses of AZ vaccine doses given"

wasnt it nearer 1:107k in last week's yellow card data?

Carefulvulvadriver · 04/05/2021 10:20

from MHRA last week:
"The estimated number of first doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca administered in the UK by 21 April was 22 million giving an overall case incidence of 9.3 per million doses. The data suggest there is a higher incidence reported in the younger adult age groups and the MHRA advises that this evolving evidence should be taken into account when considering the use of the vaccine."

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting

PeasPeasPeas · 04/05/2021 10:22

That's disappointing.

Bunbury952 · 04/05/2021 11:18

I caught that too @Carefulvulvadriver. Why would they use the old figures?

RedcurrantPuff · 04/05/2021 11:20

That’s me now known of 2 people in the 45 - 50 age group get first doses and it be the Pfizer, just within the past few days.

I suspect a change is coming but won’t be formally announced until we know we can cover the doses with supplies of Pfizer and Moderna.

Belladonna12 · 04/05/2021 11:23

If the clotting is similar to the heparin response then if it didn't happen with the first job it is even less likely to happen with the second. It's an autoimmune response and if you have the antibodies that cause clotting you would had reacted the first time .It is far more likely that you will be in a road accident on the way to the vaccination centre.

Carefulvulvadriver · 04/05/2021 11:24

It’s interesting that they are lumping the 30-50s together - so no distinction with the 30-40.
I don’t know why they’d cite the out of date figures. It’s pretty scary. Unless it’s to give them headroom to change their advice when it “emerges” the rate is more than double what they have said. But I’m pulling at straws. It just doesn’t make sense

Belladonna12 · 04/05/2021 11:25

@RedcurrantPuff

That’s me now known of 2 people in the 45 - 50 age group get first doses and it be the Pfizer, just within the past few days.

I suspect a change is coming but won’t be formally announced until we know we can cover the doses with supplies of Pfizer and Moderna.

They are starting to reserve the Pfizer and Moderna doses for the under 30s in my area.
Theonlyoneiknow · 04/05/2021 11:29

I don't know anyone 40+ who has been given AZ as a first dose in the past week.

littlepeas · 04/05/2021 11:34

@Theonlyoneiknow

I don't know anyone 40+ who has been given AZ as a first dose in the past week.
My dh and several of my friends aged 42-44 all had AZ last week.

I’m late 30’s and haven’t been called yet.

Frazzled2207 · 04/05/2021 11:38

@Theonlyoneiknow

I don't know anyone 40+ who has been given AZ as a first dose in the past week.
my husband got it this morning (42)
AppleJane · 04/05/2021 11:57

Now they have labelled a category as healthy 30-50 yr olds this gives me hope to hold out just another week or two to see if the advice changes one step further.

Schulte · 04/05/2021 12:06

Wow, just why would they cite old numbers? Either the person updating the website wasn’t paying attention or they are now willingly and knowingly misleading the public. I’m baffled.

AppleJane · 04/05/2021 12:09

The cheque's in the post. Stalling tactics.

Roonerspismed · 04/05/2021 12:15

It stinks they are using old figures. Stinks

SpringerJS · 04/05/2021 13:27

@Theonlyoneiknow

I don't know anyone 40+ who has been given AZ as a first dose in the past week.
Same here, they seem to have quietly phased in Moderna a couple of weeks ago where I am for all first doses. I had mine this morning (42).
HolmeH · 04/05/2021 13:34

Not here. Over the last week, 10 mates & 3 family members have all had AZ.. aged 40-47..

There is no secret plan. It’s whatever vaccine is available.

HolmeH · 04/05/2021 13:41

They didn’t ‘quietly phase in Moderna’ - we got shipment of Moderna in early/mid April & unsurprisingly we started using it for first doses. It was all over the news 🥴

SpringerJS · 04/05/2021 14:17

Am aware of that, thanks. Was (quite clearly) referring to them using it in my local area for the 40-45s when that is not a national policy.

Jujean · 04/05/2021 14:36

@SpringerJS it really depends on the vaccination centre - my partner and I are both 43 and we booked at different hubs - he got AZ and I got Moderna.