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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:
Schulte · 15/05/2021 14:09

I see, thank you!

AppleJane · 15/05/2021 15:18

Good luck @jenthehen let's us know how you get on Smile

Iceniii · 15/05/2021 15:22

Funnily enough I have 2 male 40 something colleagues tracking down non AZ vaccines.

Wonder how many 40 somethings are hesitant?

margeisthelaw · 15/05/2021 17:01

@nordica

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.
Do you know if Reading (madejski stadium) was on the list? Am trying to find out if they have moderna at the moment. Thank you!
Original poster
Whichjab · 15/05/2021 17:20

@Iceniii

Funnily enough I have 2 male 40 something colleagues tracking down non AZ vaccines.

Wonder how many 40 somethings are hesitant?

But I don't think because of blood clots, the mRNA vaccines are the only ones that seem to work against the variants.
OP posts:
Stoneedge · 15/05/2021 19:52

I'm 42 and went along to big centre and explained I had concerns about AZ because of family history of clots and was told it was "4 in million chance"
(this study says different -

www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1114

but they said "the rules are always changing" so if they change to allow over 40s then I'm welcome to come back for Pfizer, but we can't offer you anything else. They were very nice but as there's no choice of where to go in my area I'm just gutted.

Iceniii · 15/05/2021 20:10

Did you have it?

nordica · 15/05/2021 20:16

margeisthelaw I couldn't remember seeing it on the list but if you search Twitter for "Madjeski Moderna" there's a photo of someone having it there this Thursday.

Stoneedge · 15/05/2021 20:24

No @Iceniii I do feel very guilty about saying no, but 4 weeks of anxiety would be more harmful for me I think. I know there are other considerations but according to the online calcs at my age and normal bmi I have 1/78000 chance of dying of covid, if the risk of clots is actually approx 1/50000 (according to the Norwegian/Danish study) then it doesn't add up... For me this is why they should allow alternative for under 50s.

margeisthelaw · 15/05/2021 20:33

@nordica

margeisthelaw I couldn't remember seeing it on the list but if you search Twitter for "Madjeski Moderna" there's a photo of someone having it there this Thursday.
Thank you! I think they are doing it, just hoping they aren’t reserving it for under 40s. For my second appointment, they only gave me the choice of the London moderna ones so hoping that means the first one is likely to be moderna at reading too. I’m 43.
Iceniii · 15/05/2021 20:54

Stoneedge, I keep going to book mine. I really don't think they will change the rules again. I don't like that the experts can't agree.

MouDeVe · 15/05/2021 22:51

Oh no @Stoneedge.
Dh (39) and I (recently turned 40) are attending a vaccine centre tomorrow. He'll be getting Pfizer. I was hoping to be able to too, but I know It isn't guaranteed 😬. I will refuse AZ.

AppleJane · 16/05/2021 12:06

I think the government are going to use the Indian variant as a reason to pressure people of all ages to take AZ.

skris11 · 16/05/2021 12:40

@margeisthelaw When is your first booked in for? thanks

Belladonna12 · 16/05/2021 12:48

@AppleJane

I think the government are going to use the Indian variant as a reason to pressure people of all ages to take AZ.
Why would they? They want people to get a second dose and the one they get depends on the first. They are offering people between 35 and 40 the Pfizer vaccine rather than AstraZeneca (from next week).
margeisthelaw · 16/05/2021 13:07

Tomorrow, we’ll see I suppose!

IndigoC · 16/05/2021 13:21

@AppleJane

I think the government are going to use the Indian variant as a reason to pressure people of all ages to take AZ.
I do too. If cases go up I can see them advocating under 40s take AZ for their second dose to speed up the roll up. Presuming the results of the vaccine mixing trial in June support the safety of that, which I think they will.

They foreshadowed it a bit last week. Once they’ve finished the accelerated doses for under 50s they’ll have a whole bunch of AZ remaining and nothing to do with it.

IndigoC · 16/05/2021 13:22

^ over 50s not under. 🤦‍♀️

littlepeas · 16/05/2021 13:38

I’ve been trying to post a screenshot but it won’t load! 10.48 on the BBC live feed it mentions the the JCVI are meeting to discuss reversing the decision re under 40’s!

DixonD · 16/05/2021 13:40

@littlepeas

I’ve been trying to post a screenshot but it won’t load! 10.48 on the BBC live feed it mentions the the JCVI are meeting to discuss reversing the decision re under 40’s!
They said it’s on the agenda but not doing it at the moment.
DixonD · 16/05/2021 13:41

If they do decide this route, people just won’t have any vaccine at all.

DixonD · 16/05/2021 13:42

What I mean is there is so little confidence in the AZ vaccine as it is. I’m 38 and booked in for next week on the basis it won’t be AZ.

Fishandhips · 16/05/2021 14:09

"At the moment we don't think that's neccessary, but it could well become a recommendation in the future."

Seems sensible.

SempreSuiGeneris · 16/05/2021 14:21

They said it’s on the agenda but not doing it at the moment.

Interesting. Very much like the EU regulator affirming the AZ to be safe and effective safe in the knowledge that individual countries were already restricting its use.

Looks like PR so that they can maintain confidence while they get 2nd dose AZ out the way while not actually impacting anyone below 40 still to be vaccinated.