What would happen if you didn’t get a second Vaccine?

[peacheswithcream]

I’m 35 with no underlying health conditions.

I was contacted by my GP in March to say I was eligible for the vaccine.

I contacted the surgery to query this, but the receptionist told me I was categorised under group 6 and I should take the vaccine.

I was thrilled and didn’t query this any further, I honestly just happily skipped along to the vaccination centre to get my first dose. I was given AstraZeneca.

I’m now due my second dose in 2 weeks and given the new guidance for under 40’s I really don’t know what to do.

I wish I had’ve waited, because if I had, I now wouldn’t be given AstraZeneca.

I have several friends in their late 30’s who have recently received their first dose of Pfizer.
I feel so envious and if I’m honest angry.

I know I should be extremely grateful that I have some protection, but I feel angry that I was so willing to just take a vaccine which is now being discontinued in my age group.

To date there have been 8 documented cases of blood clots following a second dose, and whilst I understand this number is small, I don’t think it’s a risk I want to take.

I tried to get an appointment with my GP last week to talk about this but I couldn’t get an appointment.
I asked the receptionist if she could see my medical records and tell me why I was group,
she told me It was relating to gestational diabetes (I was pregnant in 2019) so obviously my records hadn’t been updated.

I feel so angry with myself that I didn’t question this at the time I was offered the vaccine, but I was just so happy to be getting one that I went along with it.

I know no one can make my decision for me, it is anyone feeling the same way?

@Katie517

Having the same thoughts as you OP, I was given AZ early as the clinic where my Aunty works had spare doses that needed to be used. This was about a week before the blood clot news came out and I am so annoyed that had I not have taken up the offer I would have had an alternative to AZ. I am early 30s no underlying conditions, very fit and healthy so covid poses no realistic risk to me but the vaccine does. I felt awful for weeks after having the first dose, headaches, muscle aches and found it difficult to run or do any strenuous exercise for a good 3 weeks afterwards. I am very reluctant to have the second dose but feel there is no alternative to be “fully vaccinated” which I am only concerned about to be able to go to events/ on holiday.

People saying it’s wrong to have doubts or that it’s selfish please take your opinion elsewhere unless you are also in the same position as the OP.

I’m in a very similar position as you, I got the AZ early because I’m a teacher and the local clinic to me was giving spares to people who work in schools. I was unwell for weeks after it.

My second dose is next week and I’m dreading it and very anxious about it. I wouldn’t have been given AZ if I’d waited for my age group to be called.

I will be going to get my second dose, but I understand the doubts. I’m getting mine because I don’t want to spread it (in my job, very likely!) and because I want life to get back to normal.

Good luck with your decision, OP.

@EsmereldaMargaretNoteSpelling

You need to understand that no vaccine is 'safe'

Oh I completely understand this, I have seen the information available from the MHRA regarding side effects of all 3 approved vaccines.

AZ though still carries more of a risk than Moderna or Pfizer and especially to my age group.

If I had been given one of the other vaccines I wouldn’t be worrying about my second dose.

@mn81987

If you've got an answer for everything then don't have it! No one on here cares whether you have it or not! I'm 35 and I'll be having my 2nd AZ tomorrow.

@mn81987

Good for you. Would you like me to cheer?!

I don’t care if you’re having yours or not either.

Are you always this rude or is today just a particularly bad day....

@peacheswithcream You're doing a pretty good job of being rude yourself you know.

I'd put money on the non-AZ recommendation being reversed within a month if we can't keep a lid on the Indian variant. Would that make you feel any more comfortable if the rec were reversed on sound scientific advice? It all a numbers game, cases rise, vaccines more important - any vaccine.

Completely get where you're coming from. I'm 44, healthy, and stuck my arm out for my 1st AZ 3 weeks ago through gritted teeth. The government are making a trade off, the vax will kill a few people that would normally have been fine, but will save more from covid. The younger/healthier you are the more this swing is against you. Ideally we'd all have the alternatives but that's not viable without delaying the programme. We just have to get on with it I suppose, and hope we're not the trade off!

@peacheswithcream yes I would like cheer! Thank you very much 🤣🎉

@EsmereldaMargaretNoteSpelling

I don’t think I’ve been rude at all.

Am pretty sure there will be a whole kitchen sink of types of jab offered eventually (by November 2021), right mixtures & all sorts of combos. Govt will just be grateful if groups 1-6 get 3 jabs of anything & the rest of us get 2 jabs of any combo.

@peacheswithcream Perhaps let's say... particularly assertive then 😂

Just get it done. Or don't. Plenty will regret it when the cases go up & everyone is being urged to have whatever vaccine is available ASAP. Cases of the new variant are in the young, the partially or recently vaccinated or unvaccinated older people largely. The more it circulates the more it will mutate.
Vaccines are safe & effective & save lives.

AZ though still carries more of a risk than Moderna or Pfizer and especially to my age group.

What is it with this shit??

The vaccine doesn't carry an increased risk to ANY age group. The clots are pretty much uniformly distributed among the population taking the jab with the variance in numbers due entirely to who has been jabbed.

The only reason that the UK advice changed for the

I understand your worries. I had my AZ a few weeks ago and was a tiny bit uncomfortable. However, even if you are young and fit Covid can be very nasty and ongoing. I am glad I have some protection and will happily get my second dose in a few months.

Nothing happened because you did nothing

In the mean time you risk having being less protected against the India variant if it does take off. 4 people in hospital in Bolton that have only had one dose. We don't know how long ago they had their vaccination though.

Probably going to get eye rolls by the odd medical profession when getting treatment for anything

But over all know will happen because you chose to do nothing.

I don't understand why people keep coming on and asking this question? No-one is going to be able to reassure you that you 100% definitely won't get a blood clot. You gave already said that you know 8 people have had one after the 2nd jab. So you just have to decide whether you think 8 people is a high or low risk and that depends on how risk averse you are by nature.
There is no new information out there to provide you with certainty OP. You are an adult and have to make your own decision. Being angry doesn't help anything

@99victoria

I don't understand why people keep coming on and asking this question? No-one is going to be able to reassure you that you 100% definitely won't get a blood clot. You gave already said that you know 8 people have had one after the 2nd jab. So you just have to decide whether you think 8 people is a high or low risk and that depends on how risk averse you are by nature. There is no new information out there to provide you with certainty OP. You are an adult and have to make your own decision. Being angry doesn't help anything

@99victoria

Just to clarify, I don’t personally know 8 people.
The information is on the Gov Uk website.

I had AZ for my first and I’m getting Pfizer for my second because I’m really worried.

To answer your question, you will have some protection against covid and probably get increasing texts/letters asking you in for your vaccine until they cease altogether or you have the option to stop them.

If we go into another round of vaccines or boosters, you will get the opportunity again to be vaccinated and will likely be offered whatever vaccine is considered safe and appropriate at that stage (increased data could mean that includes AZ).

Considering the need to vaccinate as quickly as possible due to the Indian variant, it is likely some under 40s will continue to be offered AZ. There is a risk with everything and it’s up to you to weigh up what your risk level is but having seen thousands of patients and colleagues with covid and now increasingly with long covid, my opinion is very skewed towards strongly recommending you to get the second vaccine.

If you don’t want to have it don’t, I’m sure someone else will be happy to have it.

I had AZ for my first and I’m getting Pfizer for my second because I’m really worried.
You can't do that in the UK, the vaccines aren't licensed to be mixed (yet).

@cookerhood my GP and NHS England said that I can?

@fairynick

I had AZ for my first and I’m getting Pfizer for my second because I’m really worried.

@fairynick

How? I didn’t think this was allowed?

@peacheswithcream they recommended it because I have a history of blood clots. The GP said there’s no chance she would recommend the second dose of AZ for me. I had a blood clot from the pill aged 20.

That being said I’m still waiting for an appointment and the GP practice couldn’t facilitate it, they had to get me to ring NHS England who are getting back to me.

From what I have read (not medically/scientifically qualified) the first dose of AZ gives a very good T Cell response (the second shot doesn't really improve this it's impressive from first shot). This is opposite of Mrna where the second dose kicks in the T Cells. AZ 2nd dose boost Abs (which are lower with this type of vaccine overall than Mrna eg Pfizer).

So out of the two types its important to boost mrna eg Pfizer, less so AZ. So boosting will up your Ab response and create longevity to these but having good T Cell response initially means you will probably be symptomatic with one dose but likely not very ill (if you're in normal health to begin with).

Personally I think it is reasonable to wait if concerned to see out come of Comcov trial (mixing vaccines) due early June or waiting to see each Thursday when VAERS report is out, if the number of rare clot cases post second dose (currently 8) increases. It is not 100% confirmed that these 8 cases are the same in any event.

My sister is in this predicament. 34 and had AZ as her first jab administered by our health board in her workplace as she works in the care sector. She's now in limbo because no one seems to know what to do with the under 40s who've had AZ. All the over 40s in her workplace have received their second jab but the under 40s can't get a straight answer regarding theirs. It's all a mess and it seems the experts haven't factored in the people who've had their first AZ dose.