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?

As an aside, them opening up AZ to younger age groups again won't do any good if younger people don't want it.

Horrified by Sir John Bell's comments to Canadian News Network (re IndigoC post) regarding the severe side effects of mixing vaccines.
I still have side effects from AZ jab 8 weeks ago, and desperately want to switch to a mRNA. I am supposed to be getting second AZ dose this week, but am extremely reluctant.
So if it turns out that vaccines cannot be mixed, those of us who have had one dose of AZ - do we have to remain on AZ or same type of vaccine into the future?
I too want to know how long one AZ dose will protect me. Trying to understand the paper pp Rainbowsandstorms referred to, but struggling!

Op, I sympathise with your situ.

I

From the Guardian: “The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, meanwhile, may again allow under-40s to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine in response to the threat from the new variant, the JCVI member Prof Adam Finn said on Sunday.”

From a SAGE sub committee....

Saying you haven't saved yourself from anything is like complaining after the fact that you paid lots of money for smoke detectors and didn't ever have a fire - something you did helped lower your risk and the risks in the community, by reducing the rates generally. If the rates had continued to be high, everyone would still be clamouring for the AZ vaccine

Your body, your choice. Having the vaccine is a personal choice which I actually now feel is best kept private.
Unfortunately I let it slip I had the vaccine to the wrong person. Never again.

@Rainbowsandstorms
Yes, I’m also trying to find out more regarding the efficacy of only one dose of AZ. J&J (where approved) has been accepted as sufficient for its efficacy for one dose only. J&J is also an adenovirus vector vaccine so if the stats are similar could it also be the case that one dose AZ can stand as fully vaccinated taking away the dilemma of needing the second dose?

@TruelyWonder
‘You need your second dose and if you are in the UK at the moment you need it at 8 weeks. The India variant isn't going to be waiting around until you decide too’

Isn’t the new requirement for second dose to be at 8 weeks instead of 12 weeks applicable to >50 year olds and vulnerable only, not everyone who has had the first dose of any of the vaccines?

@YoshimisMum it’s driving me crazy as AZ must have enough data to draw some conclusions regarding the protection that just one dose provides, especially in younger lower risk people. If the protection from just one dose of AZ is potentially sufficient for my circumstances I don’t want to take the gamble with the second dose. Like you say once dose of the JJ vaccine has been considered to be enough and it’s a similar vaccination. I’d be prepared to take slightly less efficiency for the trade off of not taking the risk with the second dose while so much is still unknown. I wish I’d waited as we are just reaching my age group now.

I'm in a similar situation op. I had it late feb due to being an unpaid Carer to disabled dc (I am nearly 30). Wish I waited. My second is due this week! Not much help here but I really understand your concern. I'm so anxious which in turn is making me feel crap before having it - anxiety chest tension, headaches etc!

I think it is the duration of protection rather than the efficacy of one dose of AZ that may be more the issue............

Just to say. If you decide not to have your second vaccination, please let the centre know so someone else can have it. Also, if you just don't turn up for it, I am told you are put to the back of the queue. To have your second one is purely your choice. However, you can get blood clots if you contract Covid-19.

I'm all for everyone having their vaccines ASAP, but it's not true that you go to the back of the queue if you don't show up.