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Original poster

Alternatives to AstraZeneca vaccine for under 40s “could be considered” amid rise in blood clots 2

981 replies

Whichjab · 06/05/2021 21:50

Just starting another thread as so much information still coming out. Interesting that Germany have just allowed AZ for all that want it.

Note, this is not an Anti-Vaccs thread. It is just a discussion about alternatives.

OP posts:
LetSophieGo · 12/05/2021 18:29

My older sister had AZ and no side effects whatsoever, even after 2nd dose.

the 770 or so deaths on the previous page really bothers me, especially the amount of people who have had cardiac related issues as they run in my family.

I have a hair appointment tomorrow and scared of going!

What bothers me most is how I have been spoken to. My GP was vague and said I am more likely to die of covid than AZ (odd really as a few months ago most people agreed I was unlikely to die fo covid as a healthy 47 yr old).
At reception and at the clinic, the people who I asked for advice treated me like a conspiracy theorist. I said I had concerns and would prefer Pfizer. I was told "well my 46 yr old daughter had AZ and is fine, so you will be!"

A receptionist at my GP surgery actually told me my fear of AZ was a sign of being "a bit silly", and went on to ask "don't you care how many people you might kill as a result of delaying?"

A bit weird Confused

Iceniii · 12/05/2021 18:36

'Feel free to judge me if that is the type of person you wish to be, now who can I talk to about...'

Unfortunately I don't think GPs know very much, as does anyone. Your feelings are valid.

ScarlettSunset · 12/05/2021 19:07

@Blondiney

Yes, it does make waiting it out easier, but I just wish I knew for how long it would be.

I'm actually considering seeing if I can get a friend to check in with me regularly throughout the day, if I DO decide to go ahead, so they can maybe help if I don't answer - but not sure how they'd react. Everyone I know who has had it already lives with another person, so I'm not sure they'd understand the worry (and yes, it's something I do occasionally worry about even without vaccine concerns, but I just don't want to add something to make a problem more likely)

I think it's yellow card update day tomorrow though, so I'll see what that says first anyway.

IndigoC · 12/05/2021 19:13

@LetSophieGo

My older sister had AZ and no side effects whatsoever, even after 2nd dose.

the 770 or so deaths on the previous page really bothers me, especially the amount of people who have had cardiac related issues as they run in my family.

I have a hair appointment tomorrow and scared of going!

What bothers me most is how I have been spoken to. My GP was vague and said I am more likely to die of covid than AZ (odd really as a few months ago most people agreed I was unlikely to die fo covid as a healthy 47 yr old).
At reception and at the clinic, the people who I asked for advice treated me like a conspiracy theorist. I said I had concerns and would prefer Pfizer. I was told "well my 46 yr old daughter had AZ and is fine, so you will be!"

A receptionist at my GP surgery actually told me my fear of AZ was a sign of being "a bit silly", and went on to ask "don't you care how many people you might kill as a result of delaying?"

A bit weird Confused

I’m sorry you’ve experienced that. We all have a right to determine what goes into our bodies. The EMA data shows that the 40-49 age bracket was most at risk of cerebral clotting, and a recent German paper showed women were 3.5x more at risk than men, so I’m not comfortable with the government’s current policy. I don’t think it’s supported by science and I think there’s a reason many other countries have banned it or limited it to over 50s or 60s.

I’m very pro-vaccine and would’ve happily taken anything other than Oxford (or Sputnik 😂). Grateful to have received Moderna.

Cherrycee · 12/05/2021 19:17

Sorry you had such a crap experience LetSophieGo

Based on the latest yellow card data, it's simply not true that a woman in her 40s is more to likely to die from covid than an AZ related clot. Very few people are aware of this though, most have heard comments on the news like "you're more likely to be hit by lightening", "it's riskier to get on a plane", etc, and assume that's true without looking at the stats.

LetSophieGo · 12/05/2021 19:24

thank you.

I have felt this way for weeks and been too afraid to post online about it.
I am very pro vaccine and would have the Pfizer tomorrow.

it's depressing.

my OH (he had Pfizer) says just wait it out and see what happens, but then everyone else around you insists you are delaying the loosening of restrictions and not thinking of the safety of the collective.

it's almost like being shamed into ignoring risk.

LizzieW1969 · 12/05/2021 19:28

But a woman in her 40s is at increased risk of developing Long Covid, which I suffer from (I’m 51). I’ve had it since the end of February 2020 and it’s showing no signs of clearing up.

The problem is, there’s too much focus on the risk of death, which is obviously minuscule at that age.

Tealightsandd · 12/05/2021 19:37

@LizzieW1969

But a woman in her 40s is at increased risk of developing Long Covid, which I suffer from (I’m 51). I’ve had it since the end of February 2020 and it’s showing no signs of clearing up.

The problem is, there’s too much focus on the risk of death, which is obviously minuscule at that age.

This. Although, actually the risk of death or hospitalision does increase from 45.

I'm sorry you're suffering with it. I hope you can recover well. Have you been referred to a specialist clinic yet? I don't know how many we have set up at this stage.

LizzieW1969 · 12/05/2021 19:42

@Tealightsandd

Thank you. Yes, there’s a Long Covid clinic in Leeds, where I live, and I’m pushing for a referral to it. My GP surgery have been helpful to a point, but I have to keep on at them constantly for help with this. It can be very demoralising at times.

Bunbury952 · 12/05/2021 19:42

I really feel for those of you over 40 who don’t want AZ, but don’t know what to do. I felt the same until they finally changed the age limit. It was the first thing I’d think of in the morning and it was like a cloud would come over me.

Do any of you have friends in their late 30s who will be booking soon and could let you know where/when they’re booking? I just booked mine (39) and simultaneously booked one for DH (43) at the same place and time. It should be Pfizer as I’m in my 30s and hopefully he’ll get the same.

IndigoC · 12/05/2021 19:45

@Bunbury952

I really feel for those of you over 40 who don’t want AZ, but don’t know what to do. I felt the same until they finally changed the age limit. It was the first thing I’d think of in the morning and it was like a cloud would come over me.

Do any of you have friends in their late 30s who will be booking soon and could let you know where/when they’re booking? I just booked mine (39) and simultaneously booked one for DH (43) at the same place and time. It should be Pfizer as I’m in my 30s and hopefully he’ll get the same.

This is a good idea and it’s reassuring to hear they’re not filtering out booking options based on age. Presuming they’re not splitting people into separate queues at the venue.
Tealightsandd · 12/05/2021 19:47

Sorry it's been so difficult @LizzieW1969 Flowers

It's hard because a lot of GPs are still in the dark. They don't know enough about it and don't know what to do. Hopefully as research continues and more specialist clinics are up and running, things will improve.

LondonWFuck · 12/05/2021 19:47

Yes it would be pretty shitty to split the queues based on age! I am vaguely concerned about that too.

My appt is booked in for Monday and I should be getting Pfizer - based on the conversation I had there last week. I am v close to the vaccination centre and I am thinking of wandering round tomorrow morning to see if there's any scope of being done earlier (my appointment last Sunday would have been at 5pm but I went round at 9am to ask what was being given out and I totally could have got my jab done then had I gone ahead with it). I just want to know what's gonna happen now and what I get offered!

Iceniii · 12/05/2021 19:54

I don't like the idea of splitting the queues or filtering the over 40s to other centres. It feels like you're being filtered into a door where the risk isn't fully understood or acknowledged but you are judged for not doing as you are told.

I've been trying to book a vaccine but all are 20 miles away while my friends and family had theirs locally.

Bunbury952 · 12/05/2021 19:55

It would be awful if they split the queues. We’re booked at a GP surgery and I think they just do one type at each clinic, but who knows.

I guess there’s also a chance the system let me book an AZ shot 🙈

LondonWFuck · 12/05/2021 20:02

@Iceniii

I don't like the idea of splitting the queues or filtering the over 40s to other centres. It feels like you're being filtered into a door where the risk isn't fully understood or acknowledged but you are judged for not doing as you are told.

I've been trying to book a vaccine but all are 20 miles away while my friends and family had theirs locally.

Exactly!!! I don't wanna be filtered off into no AZ queue.
IndigoC · 12/05/2021 20:12

@LondonWFuck

Yes it would be pretty shitty to split the queues based on age! I am vaguely concerned about that too.

My appt is booked in for Monday and I should be getting Pfizer - based on the conversation I had there last week. I am v close to the vaccination centre and I am thinking of wandering round tomorrow morning to see if there's any scope of being done earlier (my appointment last Sunday would have been at 5pm but I went round at 9am to ask what was being given out and I totally could have got my jab done then had I gone ahead with it). I just want to know what's gonna happen now and what I get offered!

I scoped out the place I got Moderna a few hours in advance. The lovely security guard checked for me, so I knew what it would be when I arrived later. I’m glad I did as they didn’t inform me during the process what the vaccine would be until the second last step.
Blondiney · 12/05/2021 20:27

There was talk of queue splitting on one of the other threads. It was at a big vaccine centre, a line for AZ and a line for Pfizer. Maybe they split into first and second jabs? Hate to think it was done by age.

LetSophieGo · 12/05/2021 20:34

as far as I know, the one where we go is huge and we aren't told what we are getting.

I don't drive, so if I refuse AZ it will be a long haul for me coming and going every booking.

IndigoC · 12/05/2021 20:37

@Blondiney

There was talk of queue splitting on one of the other threads. It was at a big vaccine centre, a line for AZ and a line for Pfizer. Maybe they split into first and second jabs? Hate to think it was done by age.
Yes, I’ve seen quite a few reports of queue splitting. I hope you’re right that it’s first and second doses.

The Telegraph is reporting that just under 75% of over 40s have had a vaccine, so 1 in 4 are holding off, which feels quite high.

LetSophieGo · 12/05/2021 20:38

My OH who is male and happily had Pfizer with no side effects says that if he was a woman of my age he would be concerned about having AZ due to the number of incidents connected to it.

My sister has had AZ and is worrying I am going to die of covid soon!

I honestly wish I could simply pay for Pfizer and get it done with tomorrow. I am tired of those who have had AZ pressuring me one way or another.

Blondiney · 12/05/2021 20:43

@LetSophieGo

My OH who is male and happily had Pfizer with no side effects says that if he was a woman of my age he would be concerned about having AZ due to the number of incidents connected to it.

My sister has had AZ and is worrying I am going to die of covid soon!

I honestly wish I could simply pay for Pfizer and get it done with tomorrow. I am tired of those who have had AZ pressuring me one way or another.

Ha, I was googling this earlier, 'private Moderna vaccine'.

Desperate times and all that.

LondonWFuck · 12/05/2021 20:44

Does anyone know if they will ever be available privately?

nordica · 12/05/2021 20:45

If anyone is in London and can get to Islington Business Design Centre, they are doing Moderna (only) until further notice. Confirmed by the professor who runs the centre on Twitter.

I'm going there for mine tomorrow. Smile Will report back but from what I've read on Twitter it's Moderna for everyone regardless of age.

littlepeas · 12/05/2021 20:46

I’ve just booked my jab online (I’m 38). I was offered a significantly reduced number of sites compared to dh (43), I wasn’t offered our nearest big centre (where dh had AZ) and no pharmacies. Some of them were 50+ miles away from home. If anyone is midlands based I took screen shots - I feel a bit weird about just posting them on here, but feel free to pm me.