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

[Whichjab]

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.

@Rainbowsandstorms yes I agree. It could go either way couldn’t it? Good luck making a decision...

The anxiety around this is horrible, and I completely understand the stress the situation causes for those who have not been vaccinated yet and don’t know what one they are getting. Good luck

@Schulte thanks for asking

This morning I was so fed up of this being the first thing on my mind every day and the only places showing appointments for me I knew usually do AZ.

So I got on the phone and rang my local surgery who confirmed they only had AZ but they gave me some places to try. I got lucky. One was doing a Pfizer clinic today and said they'd had some no shows and I managed to get jabbed at 4.30pm!

@katysun can I ask if it was in lanarkshire by any chance? Struggling with the same worry

@KatySun

Hello just checking in to say I decided to go to my appointment (Scotland) and just be alert to any symptoms as I was struggling with the anxiety of it all, and I was given Pfizer. They were using the AZ for second doses.

So pleased for you, @KatySun. I read your posts earlier this week feeling exactly the same and in the same position as you. I have my jag booked for this weekend. I keep alternating between not having it if it's AZ and thinking I'll just get it over and done with. Would you be comfortable sharing whereabouts you are in Scotland as I am in Scotland too so not the same process with selecting centres etc. Could you PM if you're happy to? (I've namechanged for this thread btw as fairly identifiable under normal name.)

What I decided was that I would stick the worrying side effects list from the leaflet up in my kitchen and then task my older DD who is still at home with making sure I contacted medical help as soon as any of them came about. Then I felt at least like I had a plan. Then I decided to go to my appointment before I changed my mind. Then they had written over the waiting area sign that it was Pfizer so I stayed there.
I will PM where I am, Unkeel but I am really sorry it is not Lanarkshire Stoneedge. I don’t know if I was just lucky or they are now using AZ for the second doses and Pfizer for the first ones generally, and I am sorry I was not thinking straight enough to ask.

Thank you @KatySun anyway I'm glad you went, it must be a weight off your mind :)

@KatySun

The anxiety around this is horrible, and I completely understand the stress the situation causes for those who have not been vaccinated yet and don’t know what one they are getting. Good luck

You know, I thought I was sorted as I'd had first dose Moderna but ever since someone mentioned that the mixing vaccines trial was moving along fast, I've got myself in a tizz again and am worried they might try to give me second dose AZ!

[quote AppleJane]@Schulte thanks for asking

This morning I was so fed up of this being the first thing on my mind every day and the only places showing appointments for me I knew usually do AZ.

So I got on the phone and rang my local surgery who confirmed they only had AZ but they gave me some places to try. I got lucky. One was doing a Pfizer clinic today and said they'd had some no shows and I managed to get jabbed at 4.30pm![/quote]
Oh I'm so pleased for you! Well done! What a relief!

Thank you @Schulte I am very relieved and feeling very very lucky!

Anyone still needing AZ alternative please don't give up. If you don't ask, you don't get! Everyone I spoke to today was lovely about it and really wanted to help so I think attitudes are changing now.

I feel more worked up about this than covid, which I never really felt worried about. Wondering whether to call my surgery and ask.

Interesting snippet from an article in the Telegraph tonight:

Under new plans, doses will also be prioritised for the over-40s who have not yet come forward, amid fears that vaccine hesitancy is driving the surge in cases in areas like Bolton and Blackburn, which have seen a far lower take-up than elsewhere.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/14/second-doses-brought-forward-indian-variant-50-per-cent-transmissible/

Does anyone work at a vaccine centre and know if over 40s would be allowed to have Pfizer if they were unwilling to have AZ?

I (40) will be attending with my 39 yo dh tomorrow. He will be offered an alternative... but what about me? I'm only 5 months older than him!

I’m so happy for you @AppleJane! And for the other over 40s who have managed to get an alternative. I now know of several 40+ locally who have had Pfizer in the last week. It really feels like they are saving AZ for second doses.

@MouseyHouse what kind of centre are you going to? If it’s not very big they may only have one option.

Thank you @Bunbury952

All the people in my block session were 2nd doses apart from me and one other person, we were no show fill ins. So it's definitely worth trying to get on a telephone cancellation list, especially if you can get there quick. They rang me back 2 hours after putting me on the list and literally told me 'it's your lucky day'.

So happy for you AppleJane and KatySun!

@Bunbury952
It's a big centre where they are now also offering drop in vaccines I know they had both last week.

@AppleJane how did you find a number for the vaccination centre and were they happy to tell you what vaccine you’d be getting if you took up a cancellation slot?

@jenthehen I knew my surgery doesn't do Pfizer and I said 'I really don't know how to figure out who has Pfizer' so they told me where they send their Pfizer patients and I googled the contact details. As luck would have it when I rang they were already doing block sessions of Pfizer that day. So if you haven't yet spoken to you local surgery it's worth a shot. Most people naturally like to try and help if they can and I wasn't questioned why I didn't want astrazeneca.

@AppleJane thank you. I’ll try my surgery again, they were very reluctant and just said “we are only offering AZ” but I’m 49, primary school teacher and have several autoimmune conditions. I really want a vaccination but not AZ .

@jenthehen do you know anyone who is in their 30's? When they log in to the online booking site it should give them a choice of Pfizer centres and you could try making a list from that and contacting those to be put on a cancellation list. If you ring your surgery when they're not busy (afternoons etc) you might get someone helpful.

I changed my 2nd appointment today and it only showed me venues doing Moderna (of course). If you know anyone who had Moderna or Pfizer, that's one way to find out. In London it's only Islington BDC, Guys Centre 1, AFC Wimbledon doing Moderna. Next closest was Robertson House in Stevenage. Probably lots more places doing Pfizer though.

How did you change your appointment @Nordica? Was it to bring it forward to 8 weeks?

Thank you @AppleJane, that’s a good idea.

No, just by a few days - in my rush to book both earlier this week I picked a really awkward time. Had to cancel and rebook but luckily there was lots of availability still. It's exactly 11 weeks from the first.