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Original poster

Vaccine - how do I know I will be offered a choice?

56 replies

may626 · 13/05/2021 07:44

I’m late 30s and was sent a link yesterday to book my vaccine. There were loads of slots available and I’m all booked in for tomorrow, but how do I know which vaccine I will get? Will they just offer me a choice when I’m there? Confused

OP posts:
EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 13/05/2021 07:46

I and most people I know were just told which vaccine we were getting on arrival. I suppose you could refuse once you’re there & ask for advice on how to find somewhere offering a different one.

Original poster
may626 · 13/05/2021 07:48

Thanks. I thought under 40s were meant to be offered a choice - is that not the case in practice?

OP posts:
covetingthepreciousthings · 13/05/2021 07:48

You don't get a choice, it's very much get what's available (unless of course there are allergies to the ingredients etc then you may be advised to have a different vaccine).

Figgygal · 13/05/2021 07:50

No choice for me the clinic had AZ only
If you want a choice might be worth calling the booking line
Most places only have AZ due to the Pfizer storage temperature issue
Moderna is coming through too though

Original poster
may626 · 13/05/2021 07:51

So it’s not true that under 40s are offered a choice then? I really want the Pfizer as am scared about the blood clotting issue.

OP posts:
covetingthepreciousthings · 13/05/2021 07:52

@may626

Thanks. I thought under 40s were meant to be offered a choice - is that not the case in practice?
I've just seen on another thread that if you're under 40 and booking online it will only give you the option of sites with Pfizer / Moderna. Hopefully that's the case.
Original poster
may626 · 13/05/2021 07:54

Interesting, thank you! I hope that is the case.

OP posts:
ImInStealthMode · 13/05/2021 07:55

I'm under 40 and had my first last weekend, we were told in advance it wouldn't be AZ (although in honesty it wouldn't have bothered me that much, I took the pill for years and years without a blood clot) and was just given Pzier. Not sure what they'd have done had I asked for Moderna instead.

Original poster
may626 · 13/05/2021 07:59

How were you told @ImInStealthMode? I just booked through the link I was sent and there was no mention of which vaccine I’ll be getting.

OP posts:
NinaMimi · 13/05/2021 07:59

The guidance is that under 40s are supposed to get the Pfizer or Modena but there’s no choice. I’ve never heard of anywhere where they let you choose.

Original poster
may626 · 13/05/2021 08:01

So I could just be given AZ then?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 13/05/2021 08:02

It won’t be a choice-it will just not be AZ.

sylbunny · 13/05/2021 08:03

You won't choose - they will tell you which one it is and it should be either phizer or Moderna. If it's AZ then you have the option to say no thank you as you are under 40 and rebook.

PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears · 13/05/2021 08:03

No. Under 40s are not being given AZ. You'll get Pfizer or Moderna.

ImInStealthMode · 13/05/2021 08:03

@may626 I'm in Jersey and our local authority announced it at the same time they released booking slots for under 40s.

Chatting to my Mum (in the UK) and she said it had also been on the news there that it wouldn't be offered to under 40s. Not sure which news source though I'm afraid.

usernotfound0000 · 13/05/2021 08:04

The guidelines are that you should be given an alternative to AZ, you can't then choose between the options. If AZ is offered you don't have to take it, I would decline and then rebook on the national booking system which now directs under 40s to non-AZ sites.

Original poster
may626 · 13/05/2021 08:05

If it's AZ then you have the option to say no thank you as you are under 40 and rebook.

Thanks. I hope not as the vaccination centre is quite a journey - and I wouldn’t want to waste an appointment that could have gone to someone else.

OP posts:
Gloomandglow · 13/05/2021 08:06

I had a text from the health board confirming that all first doses will be Pfizer. I'm in Wales though.

Original poster
may626 · 13/05/2021 08:06

I would decline and then rebook on the national booking system which now directs under 40s to non-AZ sites.

Should I cancel and wait until I can do that I wonder? I’m 36.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 13/05/2021 08:08

What makes you think the place you’re going doesn’t know about under 40s needing non AZ? They should be set up for this.

AllThatGlistensIs · 13/05/2021 08:10

I’m in Wales so aware things may be different but I had mine yesterday (37) and they were actually segregating us by age as we queued, over 40s went in one door for AZ and 18-39s in the other end of the building for Pfizer

Throwntothewolves · 13/05/2021 08:11

I understand your concerns but really the risk is very low.
I was given my first dose of the AZ vaccine before the blood clot issue was known (I'm CEV) and tbh I was far more worried about getting Covid and potentially leaving DS without a mother than I was about getting a blood clot when I had a second vaccine.
Perhaps do some research on official sites online and ask around people you know who have the AZ vaccine. The chances of you knowing someone who has had a blood clot as a result are extreme small. If you're still worried then try to find out before your appointment if that is what's on offer so you can cancel and someone else can get it instead. The quicker we get vaccinated, the quicker we protect everyone, and the quicker we get out of this mess

Original poster
may626 · 13/05/2021 08:14

@PurpleDaisies I found this on the BBC website:

“However, some under 40s will still be offered the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as it is easier to both transport and store, making it more practical than the alternatives.”

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 13/05/2021 08:15

The system will use your records to determine which vaccine you should get and only offer you those slots according to the current

It's why my niece is 17 and was sent a text by her Dr a month ago to book cannot find a slot as there are no pfizer slots available for first doses in our area.

I'm 47 and got Moderna. It was just what that particular vaccine centre had on the day.

HarrietOh · 13/05/2021 08:20

@Throwntothewolves

I understand your concerns but really the risk is very low. I was given my first dose of the AZ vaccine before the blood clot issue was known (I'm CEV) and tbh I was far more worried about getting Covid and potentially leaving DS without a mother than I was about getting a blood clot when I had a second vaccine. Perhaps do some research on official sites online and ask around people you know who have the AZ vaccine. The chances of you knowing someone who has had a blood clot as a result are extreme small. If you're still worried then try to find out before your appointment if that is what's on offer so you can cancel and someone else can get it instead. The quicker we get vaccinated, the quicker we protect everyone, and the quicker we get out of this mess
The risk is low yes but the risk benefit of it for under 40s means it’s better not to. I’ve already had covid myself and only have a headache. I’m having the vaccine for society and would rather do that with as little risk as possible so happy they changed this guidance.