What vaccine will he get?

[Cornishscone]

My DP is 43 and going for his jab this weekend.

He doesn’t particularly want the AZ, but will obviously take what he’s offered. What’s the likelihood of him getting Pfizer instead ? Even though he’s over 40. He’s in Oxfordshire.

He will probably get AZ or Moderna.

I’d expect AZ so they can preserve stocks of Pfizer for the under 30s etc. If there’s no underlying health issues I’d expect AZ.

No-one can tell you on here, I'm afraid.

How bad are the side effects for AZ? I’m trying to make him feel better as he’s really anxious about it.

DH and I had the Astra Zeneca one, he had nothing I had nearly the full range of side effects. That said they only lasted 24 hours and were probably a lot better than catching covid.

I know plenty of people who have had the Pfizer and Moderna jabs that have had side effects similar to mine so there's no guarantee that he will avoid it.

I had the AZ and I did feel unwell but much better after a couple of paracetamols for a couple of days, honestly not a problem.

All those who had AZ were you better after a week? Exactly a week after his jab is booked we’re going away.

Although I just read on another thread that all first vaccines will be Pfizer and Moderna now. They’re saving AZ for second doses.

I got my first vaccine today. The place I went to is now only giving Pfizer vaccine for people for their first dose, regardless of age.

So it might depend on the place he goes to

@Cornishscone

How bad are the side effects for AZ? I’m trying to make him feel better as he’s really anxious about it.

I had AZ in March, having my second dose this week. I’m in my 20s, and the only “side effects” I had could be best described as a mild to moderate hangover (thirsty and tired/dull feeling) started about 9 hrs after vaccination and finished about 15hrs after starting.

I felt like I'd got the flu for 24 hours.

I would have thought the chances of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine were quite high now, since they’ve opened up to the age group that requires a non-AZ vaccine? Surely there are now a lot more non-AZ sites opening up?

For example, I’m under 40 and was able to book mine this week, when I was there the nurse said “it’s a Pfizer clinic today” - but it wasn’t just my age group there; it was a huge clinic, very very busy with people of all ages and they were clearly all having Pfizer.

Hope he gets what he feels most comfortable with OP!

Hard to tell in advance as it depends on the location; some are doing Pfizer or Moderna for everyone but other places still only do AZ. Some seem to do more than one vaccine on the same day. My local pharmacy has been advertising on their FB page they'll start a Pfizer clinic from 27th May (currently they only do AZ).

Dh and I had our az vaccine on Monday. Had a headache and body aches yesterday but feeling a lot better today. The symptoms were very similar to when I had covid but a lot milder. Dh had some feeling of tiredness, we are both in our 40’s.

I've had 2 doses of Astra Zeneca. I'm also under 40 (had first dose before it stopped for under 30's then 40's). Absolutely zero side effects with first dose and nothing with second so far (was 2 days ago so assuming I won't go get any like the first).

I'm 44, had my first AZ 3 weeks ago. Felt like absolute hell for 24 hours, then completely fine after that. DS has had both of his (asthma) and was bad after the first one, but just a sore arm after the second.

I've had two doses of AZ and had no side effects at all not even a sore arm.

@RuthW

He will probably get AZ or Moderna.

He probably won’t. The supplies of both AZ and moderna are “unreliable” atm . In other words there’s very little of it unless they are dedicated sites. Some VCs and pharmacies still only doing AZ. I doubt a GP would have any first dose AZ.