Under 40s alternative to az

[Sunflowermoon]

But what of us under 40s who have had the first az jab but not the second? I'm due next week in theory my second jab will I now be offered a alternative and will that mean I'll Need a third jab so I get the second dose of the alternative?

Those who've already had AZ will have it as their 2nd jab too.

There is a JCVI press conference at midday, I expect they will say more then but nothing changed for 2nd doses for the under 30s who already had their first dose before the advice for that age group changed last month.

Those of us who have had our first AZ dose are being told to get the second. The trials of mixing vaccinations aren’t yet completed though some European countries advised people who had a first dose of AZ to get a second dose of an MRNA vaccination, which is still untested. I’m in my 30s and due my second dose in five weeks and I have no idea what I’m going to do. I’d like to see more data first relating to second doses as the risk is a real unknown as second doses only started relatively recently. I’d also like to get a better understanding re the purpose of the second dose and how long immunity from the first lasts but that’s also relatively unknown too.

So not qualified in this area but read a lot. It’s v likely one dose AZ is enough (to prevent serious illness). AZ produces a better T Cell reaction after 1xdose than mRNA. There’s evidence from South Korea showing 1x dose works well.

Trials are ongoing in U.K. (and real life in Europe) of 1xAZ boosted with mRNA. Interim results from U.K. trial June/July.

It would be a reasonable decision to wait and boost with mRNA once there is data. It’s expected this may in fact give superior protection.

It’s what I will do personally.

There’ve been 6x cases post second dose so far in U.K.

Ps immunity doesn’t fall off a cliff at 12 weeks. If you’d like personal reassurance taking an antibody test would be a reasonable step. Circa £60 for lab ones or there’s rapid tests (check each test picks up vaccine antibodies).

If you search there’s plenty of evidence of 1x dose working well. Yes booster gives longevity but as I said you don’t magically become un immune again wk 13

mobile.twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1389900853759315970

Thank you for replies. I think I may wait an see then 🤔

@Nofriend yes I’ve read AZ antibody response is much lower but T Cell higher. Hopefully and I’ve also read the dosing intervals in trial were (unintentionally) extended in some far beyond 12 weeks. I’m personally not worried. I’ll wait. I can cope with a cold/sore throat. Remember that’s not what JCVI etc want as possibly still contagious after 1x dose and they care about population immunity.

If you don't have the second dose you will probably but not definitely still be protected against serious illness and death. However you will probably be left more likely to get infected with only one dose.

The second dose helps to give longevity too. So any antibodies won't necessarily last as long as two doses. Again nobody knows yet how long that is likely to be yet.

The regulators and experts around the world are saying to get both doses of AZ. The risk of clots isn't that much. The cases are just very low. So that weighs in on the risk levels.

If it was still January case levels they would keep the vaccine open to all age ranges. Germany has just moved back to that. South Korea do that . Blah blah blah etc etc etc

No disrespect to Oaktree, but he/she admits they are not qualified in this area. I think having concerns is legitimate but you need to discuss those concerns with someone qualified and then make your decision.

There are counter arguments to most of what he/she says.

Oaktree says it would be a reasonable decision to wait and boost with mRNA once there is data.

I say that is not a reasonable decision.

You know nothing about either of us or our qualifications or ability to advise. Go to your appointment, raise your concerns including any of the points from here, have a discussion then decide. You can walk away at that point, but it will be a properly informed decision.

I’m in the same boat, aged 38 and second jab booked for next weekend. I’ve been planning to have it but the increasing (albeit still tiny) rate of clots after second job is worrying me a bit.

The thing is there’s no way of knowing when we would get an alternative and then you’d have to start from scratch. If we cancel our second jabs we’ll be in theory ‘half protected’ and once you cancel it’s not clear how you’d go about re booking as surely the system will have you down as already having had it (so you won’t be called up when it gets to your age range?)

Wish we had more definitive data on how long protection lasts for the first dose. I will probably get the second but it’s tempting to just bank on protection from the first rather than running the (very small!) risk a second time ... but as I say don’t really want to be left in a limbo with no idea of if / when we can get another!

@How2Help seriously you honestly think the person at the vax centre or even a GP know much?!?! They’ll follow guidelines no more. Crazy advice they’ll just regurgitate standard policy. Do your own reading peeps.

Everything is aimed at population public health not individual. Remember that.

@How2Help

No disrespect to Oaktree, but he/she admits they are not qualified in this area. I think having concerns is legitimate but you need to discuss those concerns with someone qualified and then make your decision.

There are counter arguments to most of what he/she says.

Oaktree says it would be a reasonable decision to wait and boost with mRNA once there is data.

I say that is not a reasonable decision.

You know nothing about either of us or our qualifications or ability to advise. Go to your appointment, raise your concerns including any of the points from here, have a discussion then decide. You can walk away at that point, but it will be a properly informed decision.

With the vaccine centre staff? Lots are them are old BA staff, so not qualified at all in medicine

@How2Help seriously you honestly think the person at the vax centre or even a GP know much?!?! They’ll follow guidelines no more. Crazy advice they’ll just regurgitate standard policy. Do your own reading peeps.

In fact OP had policy questions so really the best person to ask is someone who can spout policy. To remind you the question asked was “will that mean I'll Need a third jab so I get the second dose of the alternative?”. Presumably a policy answer is exactly what is wanted.

If they then have questions about that policy and feel they aren’t adequately answered or not convinced by the information they are free to walk away. What’s wrong with doing that unless you have a closed mind already? I wouldn’t recommend you do that because you have made your mind up. That’s fine, I respect that. But the OP was seeking more information.

Everything is aimed at population public health not individual. Remember that.
Well of course it is. You can’t write a policy at individual level. Which is why you ask questions about your individual situation and make a decision based on your own perception of the balance of risks and benefits. I’m unclear how you think a policy can account for each individual’s unique situation.

With the vaccine centre staff? Lots are them are old BA staff, so not qualified at all in medicine
But you have no problem with people following advice here from someone who admits they are not qualified. Every centre has qualified medical professionals who are called on where needed. And again: what is the harm in going and asking. You can still walk away. People have done, and will continue to do so and quite right too.