Under 40 will be offered an alternative vaccine

[CovidHalloween]

www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-vaccine-astrazeneca-blood-clots-cases-latest-b1842455.html

They made sure they waited until all 40s have been jabbed until they released this piece of news.

I’m still grateful for my jab nevertheless.
In other news, many cluster of Indian variant are scattered across the country and about to become a variant of concern, but of course they buried this news because its Election Day today. I’m fed up of this mess and this reactive nonsense. Why not be proactive and make sure our border defences were more robust. It’s like I told you so?! Who would have guessed?!

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/06/new-concerns-indian-covid-variant-clusters-found-across-england-ongoing-risk-high

Does ‘under 40’ include 40? Or is it up to and including 39?

@Schulte and @Tryingtryingandtrying

I think it’s important to reiterate that, as @Schulte said, the yellow card website is publishing cumulative data.

I’m posting this week’s update here in case someone wants to use it as comparison next week.

[quote Tryingtryingandtrying]@shulte It was 41 in week up 21st April and 49 week up to 28th April. This is the official published numbers. They were 15 in the 50s bracket in one week alone.[/quote]
It really, really was not. That is the total figure from December to the end of April. The figures published show the total number since December up to the end of April.

If you don't understand the data that you are reading it is very irresponsible to post it on threads.

I'm pleased they are cumulative. That's why I was so shocked.

@Schulte thank you for clarifying that. DH, in his early 40s, is due his jag next week and it is obviously quite likely to be AZ and reading that the numbers were per week really frightened me.

Guardian:

www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/06/choice-of-covid-vaccines-to-be-offered-to-britons-under-40-as-well-as-under-30

Times:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/under-40s-offered-alternative-coronavirus-vaccines-to-astrazeneca-nnssfkbsb

I'll report my own posts as they are misinformation. I had misinterpreted due to a Reuters article I had read where there were 41 new cases in a week. And coincidentally the total of 41 cumulative (I now realise) deaths.

What's going to happen with second doses for 20 year olds in group 6 who have already had one Astra Zeneca vaccine?

I’m 47 and I’m choosing to wait. My health is fantastic, I don’t drink or smoke. I honestly trust my immune system more than I trust the government currently.

Interestingly I read on a thread yesterday that the government will be offering covid boosters alongside the flu vaccine come autumn for over 50s and those who are group 6. Under 50s not necessary unless health compromised. That spoke volumes to me.

Honestly some people here are crazy. An over reaction? Young people dying from a vaccine is not ok - the risk is rising while the risk of covid remains quite low, at the moment.

It’s your choice if you take the risk of AZ but do not make out it’s an over reaction to those that don’t want to take that risk.

Slightly worrying as a recently jabbed 40 YO. Will be glad when 4 weeks have passed. I realise I'm highly unlikely to be affected. The 2nd jabs are not looking too appealing if numbers grow.

@WaverleyPirate

What's going to happen with second doses for 20 year olds in group 6 who have already had one Astra Zeneca vaccine?

I'm 29 and due my second dose. Been told it will go ahead as normal with another AZ. Feeling extremely anxious about it

I think, though, this is key from the Guardian

"Choices will only be offered where supplies of alternatives are available, however"

So if there is nothing but AZ supply locally, there won't just be masses of spare Pfizer available.
I also suspect you won't know that when you book so could go along to an appointment with no choice available but AZ.

In Ireland it's even worse. One minute it was no AZ for over 70s. Then no under 60s. Only for 60 to 69. Now its ok for over 50s. Which I am. At least ye have an NHS number so its picked up if you have health conditions that meant you needed to be vaccinated earlier. I'm actually under 3 consultants and after asking my GP about getting vaccinated he told me to ask the hospital who referred me back to the GP. Plus I've had two DVTs one.of which occurred while I was on high dose injections to prevent clots. And now I'm on a high dose of Warfarin for life. I've registered with our HSE to be vaccinated as it just opened for 50 to 59 year olds and I really don't know if I want AZ now but I bet I'll be offered it 😞

I am 39 but turn 40 at the end of June. I had my text to say I can book my vaccine - but how do you do it if you want to choose which vaccine you have? do you just choose any vaccination centre? how are you offered the choice? I want to get in before I turn 40 now but I don't see how you are given the option.

@joyam

I think, though, this is key from the Guardian

"Choices will only be offered where supplies of alternatives are available, however"

So if there is nothing but AZ supply locally, there won't just be masses of spare Pfizer available.
I also suspect you won't know that when you book so could go along to an appointment with no choice available but AZ.

Yes, this is key. I suspect that Pfizer/Moderna will still be stockpiled for under 30s and that the guidance for 30-39 will be more loose e.g. 'you can wait a few weeks' longer for an alternative or take AZ now'.

I get the point that infections are low at the moment- but they won't be for long once we open up in May/June with so many younger people unvaccinated.

Be interesting to see if it does have any impact on second dose uptake or if it's just a few of us particularly worried.

So if I’m 40, but female and would prefer non AZ (family history), if I waited a few weeks would I be more likely to get non AZ?

Thank you whataballbag.

I have a relative in a similar position. I'm hoping if she didn't get serious issues with first Astra Zeneca vaccine she won't with second.

I have my second AZ jab next week. (I’m 32) not sure if I should be going ahead or not!

@whataballbag similar situations to me, have you decided what your going to do?

Although I am trying to reason with myself that I didn’t die from a blood clot from my first dose.

@Simpta

So if I’m 40, but female and would prefer non AZ (family history), if I waited a few weeks would I be more likely to get non AZ?

I don't think so. You'll still be over 40 in a few weeks so why would you be more likely to get something other than AZ if you wait a bit?

I am 40 and due my first on Sunday. Had a bit of a wobble following the news this morning but over it now...

In Ireland they aren't giving second doses until week 16.

I fail to see how any immunity already would just drop off a cliff at week 13. I'm currently week 10, the data and advice has potential to change significantly within the next 6 weeks, so I feel like I could possibly make a better, more well informed decision then.

But that's easy for me to say, as a 29 year old who's already had one dose, and doesn't have any known underlying issues.

@HSHorror

Gov are total bastards. It was obvious that the risk was increasing. - as eu were saying that. Also 40s only ones stuck with less effective vax against variants and generally while over 50s topped up and under 40s have more effective vax. Plus we have to take second dose!