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.

Just read Angela Merkel has had Moderna as her second jab after having AZ as her first. Interesting as it doesn't fit in with what Germany is otherwise recommending (she's over 60 and the cut off for a different 2nd jab is 60).

Interesting!

I think the whole thing, like so bloody much when it comes to healthcare, is a bit of a lottery.

I've just spoken to my GP, who was lovely, and pretty much offered me the Pfizer as soon as I said how long-lasting my side effects were. I barely had to mention the blood clot issues.

She said they'd had quite a few cases like mine and they'd mixed vaccines, and she also seemed to be up to date with the thinking that mixing gives a better immune response.

I was expecting a battle and I'm so sorry for everyone in this thread who hasn't had such a favourable response.

Because most of all, she listened and said she totally understood why I wouldn't want to risk the AZ twice, rather than insinuating I was a rabid, selfish anti-vaxxer.

If there's anyone further behind my timescale, I'd definitely advise making sure you log your side effects; I've had a call to 111 for the headaches and a GP/hospital visit for the palpitations, which left a paper trail for mine.

@SheilaTakeABow that’s brilliant news. I’m really pleased for you.

As for going to London if you are from Scotland - I did check out walk in clinics that were listed on the various London NHS trusts websites a few weeks ago and there were definitely some that said 'no address or NHS number needed'. I suspect those were in areas with a certain % of people who were assumed to be not registered with the NHS or homeless or had immigration status issues and would not be able to show any proof. So those could well be an option. Others said only for residents of xyz. I searched again a week ago and there were fewer that said 'no proof needed' but then they might just not all be listed if there are many. If a trip to London is realistic/manageable for anybody it might well be worth a try, but without childcare or transport from where I am it's not really.

Thank you @Rainbowsandstorms and I'm genuinely so sorry that you and others are left in the limbo you are .

It's absolutely maddening that responses vary so much from area to area.

Whether it'll be straightforward from here on in, who knows, but I'm just pleased I wasn't met with resistance.

Has anyone read this.,

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712333/Four-Brits-develop-Guillain-Barr-syndrome-just-days-having-AstraZenecas-Covid-jab.html

Strange that all the men were from the same area, maybe it was the same batch 🤔

@SheilaTakeABow thank you. I’m just happy there is one less of us in limbo. I’m still weighing up my options. It’s so hard as the official guidance doesn’t give GPs any wiggle room for those who didn’t have side effects from the first but are simply concerned. My GP really seemed to understand my worry but his hands are tied.

@TulipVictory I saw that too, another thing to worry about. I wondered the same thing with it being the same area.

The GBS is what I brought up with my GP a week and a half ago. I told him I had googled my side effects and some of them took me to GBS , but obviously in my case mild. I told him how the side effect analysis prints are showing AZ cases/possible cases as significantly higher than Pfizer. Also there is Miller Fisher, a form of GBS, it has 17 under AZ and zero under Pfizer.

[quote Rainbowsandstorms]@whataballbag how are your side effects after your Pfizer dose? Hope you’re doing ok.[/quote]
Hiya!

I've had a headache for 2 days now but I have headache issues anyway especially when I've been stressed so not sure to put that down to the jab.

Only other thing was that my armpit swelled up which was just grand, but it's deflated now thank god!

@whataballbag glad you’re doing ok. I hope your headache eases soon for you.

Prof Makris on twitter:

If you have had previous #COVID19 infection, one vaccination (in this paper with an mRNA vaccine) is as good as two in persons without previous infection. Now shown in multiple studies. tinyurl.com/29myukwj

@whataballbag

So glad your armpit 'deflated', did you have any side effects after AZ, I can't remember?

You would think by now that the governments (various) would much prefer people to be vaccinated and run some Pfizer or Moderna only sessions for people of any age rather than this stupid age cut off (which seems to discriminate mainly against the middle aged).

[quote penni00]@whataballbag

So glad your armpit 'deflated', did you have any side effects after AZ, I can't remember?[/quote]
Felt like absolute death for a few days after

Yes indeed, people are now reluctantly beginning to take the second dose of AZ mainly because of the increasing cases out there. It is a shame for those who feel so uncomfortable with it, and unfair to not have been allowed a choice of vaccine.
Looks like Australia are abandoning AZ from October.

So the deflated armpits were preferable?:)

If I ever get a Pfizer, note to self, shave armpits first, lol

Have you seen the news today that vaccination hub staff are ‘being abused by angry people demanding an alternative to AZ’? Maybe they need to ask why people are so angry... being essentially forced to take AZ is surely also a form of abuse?

I think I’m about to be one of those people. I’m not comfortable with the second dose of AZ but I’m also not comfortable only having had a single vaccination living in an area with a fairly high rate with children in school and preschool. I have an appointment booked for my second dose later today and at present I think I’m going to go through with it.

Those who are weighing up second doses you may already have seen this but after a week of being pretty quiet about his personal opinion re the incidence of second doses Prof Markis tweeted this last night. I’ll attach a screen shot as it’s a reply to a tweet so needs the context ....

Good luck with whatever you decide @Rainbowsandstorms I’m on 2 weeks tomorrow and will relax at last

Sorry to be the bearer of yet more worrying news:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9720151/FDA-add-warning-Pfizer-Moderna-vaccines.html

Good luck with your decision @Rainbowsandstorms

3 weeks today for me, still occasionally fretting but not too bad so far