Alternatives to AstraZeneca vaccine for under 40s “will be considered” amid rise in blood clots Thread 3

[Whichjab]

New thread as the MRHA report is out today.

Note this is not an anti vaccination thread.

[quote User657849]@whataballbag, please note that the study involved 600 people (with only 400 being given a second alternative jab) and it lasted one month.

Not saying it’s bad to get a different second dose, but scientists and doctors asked the government to allow people to get AZ as second if they so wished, and they have agreed to do so today (study published yesterday).[/quote]
Thanks user I wasn't sure of the full numbers! Either way, it's a bit of info that we didn't have before.

Thanks @Schulte I was wondering about that too, also in France I think?

@Sassanacs as you’re in the age group where an alternative has been recommended, you should be able to access one. I’ve seen a few posters recently saying they were sent away and asked to rebook if only AZ was on offer. If there’s no alternative you’re fine to turn AZ down and rebook but hopefully alternatives will be on offer as they are now down to under 40s. My friends in their 30s and early 40s have all been given Pfizer over the last few weeks. Unfortunately I’m in my 30s and have had my first dose of AZ but trust your gut. I didn’t and I’m gutted that I went ahead despite my reservations

Thank you @AppleJane! I feel so relieved and a bit emotional about it. Also still worried for friends and family who have had AZ.

For those worried about their second dose...There was a study out this week from Spain about mixing: www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/spanish-study-finds-astrazeneca-vaccine-followed-by-pfizer-dose-is-safe-2021-05-18/

Reassuring, but I guess not much help if you don’t get the option.

@Sassanacs

I'm so glad I found this thread, I don't know what to do. I've just turned 39 and I have my first jab booked for this Sat.

I absolutely want to be vaccinated but I really don't want to have the AZ vaccine. I've done some research but still don't feel reassured about AZ.

I've been trying to find out what vaccine is being offered - I've tried my GP for advice, the surgery where I'm due to have the jab and also tried 119 who signposted back to my GP!!

My real Q is around if I do refuse it on the day on the basis that I'm offered AZ or nothing, how do I go about sourcing and booking an alternative?

I'm feeling shoehorned into this as no one seems to be able to tell me (or wants to tell me) my options.

I've had COVID (back in March/April 20) with no serious complications but still continue to experience a few long-COVID symptoms. My health has been pretty poor compared to my previously healthy track record and I just worry that I'm not in the best shape to fight off any complications from AZ.

Help

If you are 39 you will almost certainly be given Pfizer or moderna from what I understand, and if not you can ask for an alternative.

Just coame on to say I just got my first jab (aged 45) and it was Pfizer for everyone regardless of age for first doses. It was my local GP clinic and I booked the same time as my 38 year old friend. All doses there for today and yesterday were Pfizer. I actualy think this might be the best route, as the smaller clinics may do one type for all first doses that day to simplify storage and avoid mixing up doses.
Don't give up, I would have kept refusing until I got Pfizer or Moderna but now I just feel so bloomin relieved that I can think about something else.

@Bunbury952

Thank you *@AppleJane*! I feel so relieved and a bit emotional about it. Also still worried for friends and family who have had AZ.

For those worried about their second dose...There was a study out this week from Spain about mixing: www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/spanish-study-finds-astrazeneca-vaccine-followed-by-pfizer-dose-is-safe-2021-05-18/

Reassuring, but I guess not much help if you don’t get the option.

My husband had AZ and I'm not worried at all about him, as he isn't worried. The risks are still very small and for those who are not the worrying type or don't have concerns I totally trust that it is a good option.

Totally agree @Bunbury952

My DP had AZ 9 weeks ago and has just been called for the 2nd dose.

He spent the first two weeks wiped out and still doesn't feel himself right now. We're talking someone who usually has ants in their pants, can't sit still, suddenly no energy and going to sleep at 8/9pm most nights.

I was hoping the second dose figures today would be reassuring but they're not. Apart from the blood clot issue he just doesn't want another bad couple of months!

thanks for the new thread. Still silence in the press about this. I lost track a bit last week, but wasnt the last incidence rate reported around 10.9 per million? So we have a 13% increase in the incident rate but apparently this isnt worth reporting on (am listening to the Radio 4 PM prog and they just had a big piece on vaccine news, but NOTHING on this).

@Rainbowsandstorms @FFMutha thank you both for the reassurance. I will report back here what happens after my appt

@Carefulvulvadriver

thanks for the new thread. Still silence in the press about this. I lost track a bit last week, but wasnt the last incidence rate reported around 10.9 per million? So we have a 13% increase in the incident rate but apparently this isnt worth reporting on (am listening to the Radio 4 PM prog and they just had a big piece on vaccine news, but NOTHING on this).

I think the media have got bored of the story, there’s nothing sensational to report (although for a lot of us it’s a big issue). Even the FT seems to have dropped the ball.

On the plus side, we also seem to have lost the people telling us the risk was smaller than being hit by lightning

They’ve treated the 40-49 bracket like shit. We’ll end up easily having the highest number of VITT events by the end. And we won’t be getting boosters.

Let’s hope they don’t decide to start mixing vaccines and give those of us over 40 who managed a Pfizer or Moderna for the first shot an AZ for the second.

Does everyone realise that every day the general population gets blood clots of idiopathic origins. also that the risk of getting blood clots is far higher when you take HRT or hormonal contraceptives?? Yet you are fearful of the covid vaccination? Do you know the most dangerous medications are paracetamol and aspirin? One is dangerous for the liver and the other one causing bleeding! Yet we take them without a second thought. I blame media for scaremongering

Aspirin and paracetamol would never get approved if these were realised now. And warfarin which is a life saver for stroke prevention causes brain bleeds! Everyday we are faced by risk benefit choices people.

Isn't paracetamol only dangerous for the liver if you overdose on it?

@Whitegrenache

Does everyone realise that every day the general population gets blood clots of idiopathic origins. also that the risk of getting blood clots is far higher when you take HRT or hormonal contraceptives?? Yet you are fearful of the covid vaccination? Do you know the most dangerous medications are paracetamol and aspirin? One is dangerous for the liver and the other one causing bleeding! Yet we take them without a second thought. I blame media for scaremongering

Comparing risks is pointless. Just because people are prepared to take risks in one area, doesn't mean they have to be willing to take this particular risk.

@IndigoC

They’ve treated the 40-49 bracket like shit. We’ll end up easily having the highest number of VITT events by the end. And we won’t be getting boosters.

Let’s hope they don’t decide to start mixing vaccines and give those of us over 40 who managed a Pfizer or Moderna for the first shot an AZ for the second.

Couldn't agree more! They think 40-49 are to no purpose! 40-49 can be equally or more healthier than a mid or late 30 yo person! I rarely catch any bug, my immune system can be equally active like a 30 year old's. More than the clotting issue I'm concerned about the low efficacy rate of AZ! When getting vaccinated why not get a more effective one! The thing with AZ is as you mentioned the British pride! The name "Oxford" is attractive and makes it sound superior - no wonder people aren't refusing it! If people under 60 start refusing it they will broaden the range for mRNA based vax!

@lcenii

Isn't paracetamol only dangerous for the liver if you overdose on it?

Well the AZ vaccine is only Dangerous is you have a million to 1 side effect and develop a rare blood Clot! Like I said it's risk /benefit ratio

Relative and absolute risk is statistically based on complex maths. So if you want to look at absolute risks of a vaccine then do the maths and make a choice!

If people know the absolute risk for basic things like driving or crossing a road or developing mental health issues or having coronary heart issues or stroke dementia cancer etc... you lot would never do anything other than sleep and eat! Jesus at least base your decisions on clinical data and not mass media!

Disclaimer - I have had a stressful
Day and full of hell!! I am also a vaccination volunteer and have had 2 AZ doses and have been absolutely fine and I'm 44. I also work in the pharmaceutical industry so have a good understanding of medicines regulations and statistics

And on that stroppy note I'm of to bed night night lovely vipers

It’s not a standard blood clot. It’s not 1 in a 1,000,000. It’s more like 1 in 50,000, and possibly less.

Have a read of this summary of global knowledge on VITT covid19-sciencetable.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Science-Brief_VITT-and-vector-vaccines_20210511_published5.pdf and get back to us.

I think people are who are supporting AZ should get it for them instead of trying to educate the people who are against it. The discussion is about vaccine which has rarely any genuine data to support that it is fit for purpose, the govt just want the people to get vaccinated with "something" so they get some data for the coming years! Corona is here to stay forever and we might be required to get the boosters like we get for flu, over a period of time most of us will develop the immunity against it. Those people who are sceptical about AZ let them be and let them wait for what they want...and people who are happy with AZ let them take that - seriously, there is no need to persuade someone to take AZ!

www.royalwolverhampton.nhs.uk/_resources/assets/attachment/full/0/5145.doc#:~:text=4.-,Is%20venous%20thrombosis%20common%3F,(VTE)%20contracted%20in%20hospital.

Quick search shows risk of dvt

thrombosisuk.org/admin/resources/downloads/thrombosisuk-venous-thrombosis-leaflet.pdf
1:1000 Adults will get dvt often due to no known cause called unprovoked dvts.