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Original poster

Has anybody managed to get Pfizer instead of astra zeneca?

429 replies

Crovine · 29/04/2021 19:15

If so, please share strategies.

I have a number of issues including sibling medical history that have led me to not want astra zeneca. None of these are on the list of official reasons to avoid it. But I don't want it. I went to my vaccination appointment today and explained this. They said I could have astra zeneca and that it was safe. They said they would not offer Pfizer (which people six feet away were having) because all the doses were allocated. I was advised to get a letter from my GP. However it was my GP who told me to go to the appointment and discuss at the centre. So I left without being vaccinated.

It seems like an impasse.

Has anybody managed to find a way through this?

OP posts:
TruelyWonder · 29/04/2021 23:25

Seriously wonder about the way other peoples brains work some time. ALL the vaccines will have side effects and risks for some people. Nothing is ever 100%. The experts and scientists weigh up the risks. Not a lot of unqualified people spending to much time over thinking.

Listen to what they tell you. These are the people that worked out AZ was better after a longer gap. Which some countries have now copied. These are the people that realised Pfizer would be fine too. Both things have been proven to be correct in real world data. These are the people that say it is ok for middle aged people. Listen to them.

The different vaccines are needed for second doses, pregnant women and some younger people that are having their jab early. Not for middle aged self appointed experts or people worried about scare stories on social media. If you get offered something different from AZ fine. However don't act like you are entitled to get something else if you are not.

Totalbeach · 29/04/2021 23:27

do you have the data to back that up , not one single case after any other jab ?

Yep, and it's easily available so just look for it @worriedatthemoment

TruelyWonder · 29/04/2021 23:28

@Totalbeach

There have been no clear associated cases with the other jabs.
That actually isn't true at all. You need to do some research.
TruelyWonder · 29/04/2021 23:31

@Totalbeach

Ignore the bullies, OP. Your body your choice.

Also, I wonder what would happen if you just said you were pregnant?

Nice moral compass you have. Seriously look in the mirror and stop advising rubbish.

🤐

Derbee · 29/04/2021 23:31

I think it’s bloody annoying waiting for a vaccine whilst selfish people are refusing theirs because it’s not the one they want.

Stop wasting people’s time, and pay privately in a year or so when it’s available

ittakes2 · 29/04/2021 23:31

You might have decided Pfizer is better for you but if your doctor has not agreed with you then you are not more entitled to it than someone else. If you are booking appointments and not going through with them last minute you are wasting the AZ dose allocated to you that could have gone to someone who wanted it.

CherryJane · 29/04/2021 23:32

You don't currently have a choice because we are living through a global emergency.

If you genuinely do have a medical reason not to receive AZ over Pfizer or Moderna then you have a GP problem and your next step should maybe be a complaint via your practice manager instead if messing with the vaccination system and potentially wanting doses and time, by continually rebooting and hoping for something else.

In the future, when we are nit in a global fmergency and there is surplus vaccine stick readily available, I'm sure you'll be able to chose, even if that means paying fir it, much like done choose to pay fir thiet flu vaccine but fir now, you're being offered a vaccine. If you don't want it then refuse it.

If you genuinely feel you have medical grounds that are being ignored complain to your practice.

comfyslippets · 29/04/2021 23:37

@HolmeH
Well said!

rwalker · 29/04/2021 23:38

In your capacity as a scientist why don't you share your knowledge with the WHO then they can update there list.

QualityRoads · 29/04/2021 23:41

Because it's not all about you, and you are being silly. Booster doses will be starting on September probably and these are likely to be Pfeizer. Take the AZ for now. Think of it as a short term solution, which it is. If there were any real contra-indications your GP would have sorted Pfeizer for you.

MrsFezziwig · 29/04/2021 23:44

@vera99

When the great day arrived and they said you're going to get AZ my heart momentarily fell and a mild dose of vaccine envy briefly passed my mind. That said they're all good and no one could reliably say which one they would tolerate the best on the day.
Embarrassingly I felt the same vera, but it was only short lived. Afterwards I was so happy that I had been vaccinated. And even happier now as I have found out that I have antibodies due to the vaccine.
Doodar · 29/04/2021 23:46

Unless your first was Pfizer, you’re pregnant, under 30 and CEV, special needs you won’t get it. Booking people for 2nd Pfizer this week in a large London hub, some people are going over 12 weeks as there’s not enough clinics/vaccine.

DancyNancy · 29/04/2021 23:48

Pfizer linked to clotting too apparently....just hasn't been so widely publicized.

Clotting without low platelets

Survivingchipandkippee · 29/04/2021 23:50

Yeah, keep booking appointments until you get what you want! Very foolish and entitled

DachshundDerby · 29/04/2021 23:51

Why are you wasting everyone’s time OP? Booking appointments, turning up then declining the vaccine offered is appalling.

If there is a recognised clinical reason you need a specific vaccine then your GP will sort it for you. Otherwise accept what you are offered and please stop wasting everyone’s time. There are plenty of people wanting an appointment and not getting one. Meanwhile there are people booking appointments and wasting them.

Believe me if you actually needed a specific vaccine you would get it.

Confuzzlediddled · 29/04/2021 23:52

Your GP has to facilitate it, my DC are both going for theirs on Saturday and they were put on a Pfizer pathway by our GP as they are both 18. They aren't going to one of the main hubs but to a gp hub. They did have to wait a few weeks extra as there were no Pfizer first doses available through the majority of April.

Bunnyfuller · 29/04/2021 23:53

Ffs OP. Do grow up. You are assuming clinical reasons which your medics do not. Be grateful you’re getting a vaccine, and as you’re so terrified of getting a clot, never fly again. Chances of a DVT from flying about 200 time greater than the flipping jab.

ODFOx · 29/04/2021 23:53

Dear @Crovine ,
I understand and sympathise that after losing a family member you are grieving and don't trust medics or the government advice regarding vaccination.
If your GP doesn't believe that your family history means that you cannot accept the AZ vaccine then you are unreasonable to take appointments that could have been made available to others. You can make the decision ision to refuse vaccination but denying others the opportunity is wrong.
Make a case to your GP, otherwise please stop taking appointments from others. There is no vaccine option that has a clotting rate anywhere near as high as a COVID-19 infection has.

If you don't believe the professional advice then stay home and save up and when all the folk who trust the NHS to do their best have been jabbed the excesses will be snapped up by the private sector with a 'he should pays more gets first dibs' mindset. At that point you'll be able to choose your jab even f the medical evidence doesn't support it because you'll be paying for a service.

TLDR. Don't have the AZ if you don't want it. Back off and stop booking slots others could take. If your gp believes you need another jab get him/her to put you forward for that.

Nodal · 29/04/2021 23:54

That's a dick move booking an appointment and refusing the vaccine. im surprised anyone can justify that to themsleves in the current climate

Staffy1 · 29/04/2021 23:56

Someone I know got it because their GP phoned them up as there were some left over for the day. As Pfizer only has a short shelf life after defrosting they needed to be used. I would speak to your GP again and say you really don't want the AstraZeneca to the point that you chose not to have the vaccination when it was the only one on offer, but you would also really like to be vaccinated.

Quaversplease · 29/04/2021 23:58

@VaccineEnvy

Your friend would have been told the same for Pfizer. Plus with Pfizer would have had to wait at the centre under supervision for 15 minutes.

I'm a volunteer at a vaccine centre. One of the jobs is to distribute the little cards and info leaflet to people. We go through the side effects. They're the same for AZ and Pfizer.

Scrfgkesjwjrf · 30/04/2021 00:01

Get a grip. Self diagnosis based on siblings medical conditions?! Do you even know what blood clots are a (minuscule) risk with AZ? All that matters is your own medical history, not your siblings’ (I know this from personal experience in looking into this). You have just got it in your head that you want to choose. I am glad that that system prevents you from rebooking, so it should so someone who actually wants the vaccine can get it.

Totalbeach · 30/04/2021 00:05

Nice moral compass you have. Seriously look in the mirror and stop advising rubbish.

Really couldn't care less what you think @TruelyWonder I think the OP is entitled to choose what she puts in her body by any means possible. If the government would be open with the data about AZ I'd feel more like the OP has to be open about why she needs the vaccine but we don't live in a fair or transparent country.

alphajuliet123 · 30/04/2021 00:06

Meanwhile, in Israel, they are studying Pfizer due to dozens of cases of myocarditis (heart inflammation). None are 100% safe, but like other posters have said there is more chance of dying on your way to get vaccinated.

OP my advice would be to arrange a new jab via your GP. If they say there’s no good medical reason to demand Pfizer you’ll just have to wait until we have enough time first doses again, though obviously these will be prioritised for young adults.

www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-examining-heart-inflammation-cases-people-who-received-pfizer-covid-shot-2021-04-25/

Totalbeach · 30/04/2021 00:06

What kind of person tells a grieving, bereaved sibling to 'get a grip' @Scrfgkesjwjrf Honestly - why are you so invested in other people getting vaccinated with AZ that you'd do that. It's disturbing.