Under 40 and vaccine booked

[KatyaZamolodchikova]

I’m 33 and have my jab booked in next week. I am pretty sure that my GP who have booked me in are using AZ. DH went last week and got AZ, he’s under 40, he’s 38.

If you’re under 40 would you rather have AZ next week or wait an indeterminate amount of time for Pfizer or Moderna? DH and I have different opinions and I’m interested in what others would do.

I’ve told him that ultimately it’s my choice and I will do what I think is right!

I think I just want to get vaccinated however, though I’m not 100% sure. I have a family history of deep vein thrombosis

I'd prefer something else but will roll up my sleeve regardless

I would wait - apart from the safety issues it's just generally not as good.

I've had both AZ. Second dose was just as the UK started investigating blood clot issues. Tbh I wasn't thrilled at the prospect of getting my second dose due to this.
Had it been my first jab I think I'd probably have declined, especially as case rates are generally low.

At the vaccine centre I work in today we were told to turn away all under 40s who were scheduled for the AZ and told them to rebook and they'd be allocated the Pfizer or moderna, we also had staff ringing patients under 40 advising them not to turn up and allocate them an alternative appointment

I think the risk is higher of catching covid and then long covid, than it is developing a blood clot.

@Wellbythebloodyhell

At the vaccine centre I work in today we were told to turn away all under 40s who were scheduled for the AZ and told them to rebook and they'd be allocated the Pfizer or moderna, we also had staff ringing patients under 40 advising them not to turn up and allocate them an alternative appointment

This is very interesting Wellby, are you at a vaccination centre or GP Surgery? I realise the decision may well be taken out of my hands if they phone me between now and my appointment to tell me not to come in.

Do you have any idea of when they’re being rescheduled for?

@KatyaZamolodchikova at a vaccine centre. Some were able to secure vaccines today at an alternative vaccine hub others were rescheduled at the same or alternative venues within the next 5-10 days so not a long wait .

@Wellbythebloodyhell thank you this is very helpful! It’s tricky as of course it’s a weekend and I imagine the doctors surgery will be very busy! I’ll just try and be patient and see what happens next week!

I don't think they should be refusing AZ if people want it. I have one booked and am under 40. NHS site sent me a link to JCVI advice that you should discuss risks and benefits but can still choose to have it

Seems fairly clear (although annoyingly not completely clear) that under 40s should be offered a choice https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/984255/PHEE12015COVID-199vaccinationanddbloodclottinggleaflet_v2.pdf

That's really interesting that they are cancelling under 40s' appointments which would have been AZ. Makes me wonder if actually, they don't want to give it to under 40s but are dressing it up as it being a choice. Seems odd that the "choice" is apparently being taken away in the place referenced upthread.

I think individual trusts/pcn/centres are interpreting the rules differently. I find it very annoying, I want my vaccine! No way to know if they will refuse it and it's a fair drive away too.

@MotherOfCrocodiles

I don't think they should be refusing AZ if people want it. I have one booked and am under 40. NHS site sent me a link to JCVI advice that you should discuss risks and benefits but can still choose to have it

Your absolutely right,I do know at other sites nearby AZ was still given to some under 40s booked in today if they wanted it despite the change in guidance. Tbh it was a bit of a strange day and lots of conflicting thoughts queries and processes, its a fast changing situation and trying to roll that out to 1000s of vaccine sites immediately simultaneously naturally has its logistical issues.

Im 36 and had my first AZ 3 weeks ago (I'm in NI). As of this week they are now automatically giving anyone under 40 the Pfizer. A bit miffed but will still be going for my 2nd dose of AZ

Cancelling already booked appointments isn't the official advice.

OP, I think it depends on your personal covid exposure risk. If you have school age kids, go out to work or otherwise mix with lots of people then I would probably take the AZ now. If you are able to be a bit more careful about mixing with people during the wait then I would wait for an alternative if you think you'll worry about the side effects.

So, DH thinks the risk is too high and I should wait. I am happy to get the AZ on Wednesday when my appointment is, if I can. I want to be able to see my 87 year old grandad in his home when we can see people indoors again with minimum risk. I work out of the home, with precautions but still. Also as of 17 May I’ll be expected to start travelling (U.K. wide) for work again. I’d prefer to take the risk of 1 in 250,000 of a blood clot over getting Covid and being ill, getting long Covid, or being asymptotic and trailing it all over the place when I start travelling again.

I'm 36 and I would wait. I do have a history of blood clots though which makes me more curious than the average person.

I think it is hard for us to conceptualise such low risks. For example, the chance of guessing someone's pin code for their bank card , first time you guess, is 1/9999 so much much more likely than getting a clot from AZ.

On the flip side, apparently the chance of someone of our age dying of covid is even lower!

I just don't want to catch it and be feeling really ill whilst shut in house with toddlers for 2 weeks. Plus risk of long covid. Plus I'd like restrictions to end that means we need to get as many people vaxxed as poss.

@KatyaZamolodchikova I think it’s only a decision you can make. I’m in my 30s and have had my first dose of AZ and feel nervous about my second but others will be less cautious and feel happy with the risk. Just so you’re aware the latest data is 10.4 in a million so 1 in 100,000 but with a higher case rate in younger people and possibly a higher prevalence in females. I’m not trying to sway you either way but wanted to make sure you’re working with the correct figures when weighing up the risk.

In your shoes I would take the Az this week rather than wait an indeterminate time for an alternative.

I’m booked in for later this month and had a text from NHS saying I could go along to the appointment and discuss the risks or cancel and they’ll tell me when an alternative vaccine is available. I don’t really like how they’ve done this to be honest. I think I’ll probably still go to the appointment.

Dh and I are under 40 and had AZ today, had got text from gp on Wednesday so before the news.

We were both asked for specific consent to have AZ despite the new guidance but were clear they had no idea when we'd hear again about another vaccine.

We decided it's worth the 'risk', no medicine/vaccine is 100% safe and for the benefit of us and our family, it's best we get vaccinated as soon as possible.

It was very busy so obviously lots of people weren't put off, most people were roughly our age.

I'd wait. It is true no med/vaccine 100% safe. BUT Pfizer/moderna have better safety profile, you are young and covid case rates are low. At least check out when you will get alternative shot, might be sooner than you think.

My sis in law had this situation, she’s 38 & so likely to get the official govmt call shortly. She cancelled her GP & will be taking another option. She figures if that’s the official advice, then she’ll follow it. She’d rather take the safer option even if it’s only a tiny tiny fraction more safe than AZ. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’m 33 & have been happy to have either. But if the scientist think we should be offered an alternative at this stage, I’ll probably follow that advice ..