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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
Jamclag · 05/05/2021 13:18

Thanks BuggerBogner - I did try. My local large vax centre is listed as offering Moderna - I found out it is, but only to under thirties! I think supply issues mean they have needed to differentiate even within centres - especially in larger cities.

Glad you got the vax you wanted anyway!

Jamclag · 05/05/2021 13:23

Yeah agree Roonerspismed - I'm not angry at the nurses and volunteers at all.

Like most on this thread, I would just like a bit more clarity on the health profile, sex and age of those most affected to make a more informed choice.

nordica · 05/05/2021 13:51

It's strange if the centres are prioritising under 30s for jabs - most under 30s who are eligible due to their jobs or in group 6 should have been vaccinated ages ago, so why are they being vaccinated now?

I've seen something similar mentioned on other threads - GP surgeries and even health boards for whole areas skipping the 30-44 groups entirely and prioritising people younger than us who can have Pfizer and Moderna.

Jamclag · 05/05/2021 14:23

Yes nordica - I was surprised by the amount of younger people being funneled into the Moderna queue as I waited with a definitely older demographic, in what I found out to be the AZ queue. I thought most of the CV and CEV would have been vaccinated already - obviously not in my area!

NuttyinNotts · 05/05/2021 14:27

It would be a bit shitty for those 30-40 if they ended up being last vaccinated if the justification for them getting AZ is because their covid risk is higher so the risks of blood clots are lower than the potential benefits.

Belladonna12 · 05/05/2021 14:27

@nordica

It's strange if the centres are prioritising under 30s for jabs - most under 30s who are eligible due to their jobs or in group 6 should have been vaccinated ages ago, so why are they being vaccinated now?

I've seen something similar mentioned on other threads - GP surgeries and even health boards for whole areas skipping the 30-44 groups entirely and prioritising people younger than us who can have Pfizer and Moderna.

I'm not sure that they have much Pfizer or Moderna at the moment (my DD is under 30 and recently group 6 but she can't get it locally) but the few vaccines they do have are either used as second doses, for people under 30 or pregnant women.
Belladonna12 · 05/05/2021 14:32

@Jamclag

Yes nordica - I was surprised by the amount of younger people being funneled into the Moderna queue as I waited with a definitely older demographic, in what I found out to be the AZ queue. I thought most of the CV and CEV would have been vaccinated already - obviously not in my area!
They cancelled appointments for those in the CV group if they were due to have the AZ if under 30 so there has been a delay for many. Also, pregnant women have been added to the list for Pfizer.
Belladonna12 · 05/05/2021 14:41

@NuttyinNotts

It would be a bit shitty for those 30-40 if they ended up being last vaccinated if the justification for them getting AZ is because their covid risk is higher so the risks of blood clots are lower than the potential benefits.
That's the justification for giving AstraZeneca to everyone over 40 though. Why would people over 30 be different if their Covid risk is also higher than the risk of blood clots.
NuttyinNotts · 05/05/2021 14:46

Because those 40+ are already vaccinated/able to book. Some areas are now prioritising the lowest risk group, but making those higher risk wait when the justification that they need a riskier vaccine is because they are higher risk.

Cherrycee · 05/05/2021 15:04

Why would people over 30 be different if their Covid risk is also higher than the risk of blood clots.

It's not necessarily higher though, for many women in their 30s the risks are roughly the same. Also AZ isn't the only vaccine that can offer protection from covid. In these cases, offering an alternative is the right thing to do.

BuggerBognor · 05/05/2021 15:11

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Belladonna12 · 05/05/2021 15:15

@NuttyinNotts

Because those 40+ are already vaccinated/able to book. Some areas are now prioritising the lowest risk group, but making those higher risk wait when the justification that they need a riskier vaccine is because they are higher risk.
They aren't making people over 30 wait longer though. They can have the AZ vaccine. If they don't want it they are choosing to wait longer. No one is making them.
Belladonna12 · 05/05/2021 15:24

@Cherrycee

Why would people over 30 be different if their Covid risk is also higher than the risk of blood clots.

It's not necessarily higher though, for many women in their 30s the risks are roughly the same. Also AZ isn't the only vaccine that can offer protection from covid. In these cases, offering an alternative is the right thing to do.

Some people in their 50s are probably at lower risk than some people in their 20s too. However , age is the most reliable predictor of Covid risk and there has to be a cut off somewhere because there isn't enough Pfizer/Moderna for everyone. It wouldn't solve the problem if they said everyone in their 30s should have Pfizer and Moderna as then people in their 40s would complain about the fact that they are just over the cut-off.
Belladonna12 · 05/05/2021 19:25

@NuttyinNotts

Because those 40+ are already vaccinated/able to book. Some areas are now prioritising the lowest risk group, but making those higher risk wait when the justification that they need a riskier vaccine is because they are higher risk.
I've not heard of any area that is prioritising the lowest risk group. What evidence do you have for that?
TruelyWonder · 05/05/2021 19:39

inews.co.uk/news/health/people-in-30s-covid-19-vaccine-mid-may-everyone-aged-40-above-now-eligible-979181

Hugo is normally pretty good at finding out this stuff

Starting to stockpile Pfizer for under 30s

30s to start getting vaccinations mid May. Small numbers have already got texted this week. If mumsnet is anything to go by.

We only ordered enough Moderna for 8.5 million people. If is getting delivered but not all at once. Will probably not have it all until late summer at best.

Unless we start getting Janssen and that has clot issues too. I can't see any change in schedule for 30s. We just don't have enough alternative for AZ. The numbers wouldn't work. Plus the risks compared with other vaccines are not that bad.

TruelyWonder · 05/05/2021 19:45

Actually I lie there slightly. It is possible that Norovax could get approval quickly. Plus the manufacturer says they our making it already.However that would probably still not be quick enough. Also if you are worried about issues. This one has only the data from trials to go off. Which is good granted but still.

Belladonna12 · 05/05/2021 19:51

Yes, I have heard that they are starting to store/reserve Pfizer for when they vaccinate under 30s. They aren't giving it yet though and it's quite hard for those who are under 30 in a higher priority group to get vaccinated (if they aren't already) because it isn't being sent to the vaccination centres.

TruelyWonder · 05/05/2021 19:53

That will be difficult for the pregnant women too I suppose

Pubbles123 · 05/05/2021 20:52

How long do you think it will be before people can pay for the vaccine they want? I’m not saying I’ll wait that long (!) but just interested to know if anyone has any idea when vaccines will be available privately.

pinkmagnolias · 05/05/2021 21:16

How long do you think it will be before people can pay for the vaccine they want?

I reckon in another couple of months they will ge so desperate to vaccinate everyone they will offer you whatever you want.

Theonlyoneiknow · 05/05/2021 21:44

Sorry if I have misunderstood somewhere along the line - so, they are doing a trail just now for mix/match 1st and 2nd doses of different vaccines - is that right? Thank you

TruelyWonder · 05/05/2021 22:05

@Theonlyoneiknow

Sorry if I have misunderstood somewhere along the line - so, they are doing a trail just now for mix/match 1st and 2nd doses of different vaccines - is that right? Thank you
Yes Professor Snape is doing itGrin

A real person from Oxford University not Hogwarts but still

That trial won't be finished until after we have done the majority of jabs though

IndigoC · 05/05/2021 22:17

@pinkmagnolias

How long do you think it will be before people can pay for the vaccine they want?

I reckon in another couple of months they will ge so desperate to vaccinate everyone they will offer you whatever you want.

I think it depends how much supply is diverted to countries with greater need. The U.K. has big contracts with Novavax, Valneva, Curevac on top of Pfizer and AZ. If these all come through surely it would be redeployed to other countries. Some might trickle into the private sector though?
TruelyWonder · 05/05/2021 22:26

Not seeing any going private in this country until next year. We are not likely to get surplus jabs until next Autumn realistically. Even then only if everything works out.

Whenever we do get surplus Boris will be very keen for the UK to be seen to do there bit. Sending jabs abroad will be top priority. We have a lot of international ground to make up after Brexit.

Some other countries will definitely be selling jabs privately though. You may need to jump on a plane this summer to get a private vaccination.