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Covid

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Original poster

I refused the AZ vaccine, now being judged for it

492 replies

cosmoswithcovids · 21/05/2021 07:24

My husband's friend is a Dr, he called yesterday to tell my DH they had spare vaccine and to come over if we wanted one (DH is 33, I'm 30).

We got there and he told us it was AZ, I said I wanted to wait until I was offered the alternative that under 40s are advised to have. My DH looked at me as though I had two heads.

We joined them for drinks at the pub last night where Dr and a couple of other friends were discussing anti-vaxers and I was referenced as one of them. I did reiterate that I'm very keen to be vaccinated but not with AZ. It was then mansplained to me that discrediting the AZ jab (which they've all had and are fiiiiiiiiiiine) was the behaviour of an anti vaxer. I was just meant to feel a bit like an uneducated idiot (I'm not, I'm a solicitor, I'm quite bright) and although my husband says he understood why I didn't want it, the risk is "theoretical" (is it?!)
For the sake of another couple of weeks, I'd rather just wait and have the one which is safer! I'm just feeling a bit rubbish about it all really, I felt quite bounced into it when we got there and it was quite a stress for me having to justify why I didn't want it once we arrived.

OP posts:

Babsinthekitchen · 23/05/2021 11:32

Dont have the AZ anyway...you are young, healthy and get plenty of outside exercise and have a good diet. You dont need this vaccine at all.

I wont have it even if they give me a million dollars.

icanbewhatiwant · 23/05/2021 11:51

@AnnieSnap the second Pfizer seems to be the one to cause side effects. Not the first. Whereas first AZ gives more side effects. That is from stuff I've read and people I've known to have had vaccines. I know a few that have been very poorly after second Pfizer (young people in their 20's) one of them was almost taken to hospital as they couldn't get her temperature down. But she was fine the following day.

Original poster

cosmoswithcovids · 23/05/2021 12:40

I do think everyone agreeing I am an anti vaxer on account of me refusing to have AZ is being overly simplistic. I refused to have the vaccine on account of the government advice which is to have an alternative vaccine. If AZ had been the only vaccine and the advice was different, I would have taken it.

I understand that the risk is minuscule, but for someone who leads a fairly socially distanced life by choice and is currently working from home, I'd rather have another couple of weeks before first vaccination and have an alternative.

My friend had her first vaccine yesterday at our local vaccination centre and said that it was made clear to her that AZ was not available for under 40s so I'm assured that they will likely be able to offer an alternative.

OP posts:

Original poster

cosmoswithcovids · 23/05/2021 12:40

Also meant to say thank you for everyone's opinions - it's been interesting to read both sides of the argument. I absolutely agree I should have done my due diligence and asked when they called and that's my fault, I just assumed.

OP posts:

Lweji · 23/05/2021 13:03

@AIMummy

Between the AZ now or the Pfizer in 6 months, I'd tell you to take the AZ now.

Of course however in the OP's case it's more like a two week wait between being offered the AZ to having the Pfizer. She is only 2 years below the current age being invited so most likely will be called in the next few days which makes her decision an even more of a no-brainer. In fact when an under 40's person goes to book their vaccine now, the system automatically directs you to where a non-AZ vaccine is being given.

Well, yes.

Full quote was:
As there are alternatives, it's a good idea to take the (slightly) less risky vaccine if available in a useful time frame. Between the AZ now or the Pfizer in 6 months, I'd tell you to take the AZ now.

pinkmagnolias · 23/05/2021 13:23

I read today AZ is 30% effective to the Indian variant after one dose and 60% effective after two doses.
Pfizer is 85% effective after two doses.
You are cleverer than most OP.
Stick to your decision!!!

murbblurb · 23/05/2021 13:32

Either you or the BBC have the wrong figures, then.

Lweji · 23/05/2021 13:59

www.bbc.com/news/uk-57214596

AnnieSnap · 23/05/2021 14:14

[quote icanbewhatiwant]@AnnieSnap the second Pfizer seems to be the one to cause side effects. Not the first. Whereas first AZ gives more side effects. That is from stuff I've read and people I've known to have had vaccines. I know a few that have been very poorly after second Pfizer (young people in their 20's) one of them was almost taken to hospital as they couldn't get her temperature down. But she was fine the following day. [/quote]
That’s consistent with my and hubby’s experience. We both has AZ and about 12 hours after the dose, we felt rough for about 36 hours. After our second, we only had a mild version of the same side effects abd they only lasted a few hours.

icanbewhatiwant · 23/05/2021 14:39

@AnnieSnap my husband had Pfizer and had no side effects after first. He felt poorly for 3 days after second dose. I had AZ I'm yet to have second. But felt a little "off" after first.

user5464 · 23/05/2021 15:28

It is YOUR body.

If you don't want any vaccine ever (and some don't) then it is your responsibility to keep your germs to yourself howsoever that might be, including (in my view) staying away from jobs and situations that put vulnerable people at risk.

Your body though, first last and always. Your responsibility and your sanctuary.

RedcurrantPuff · 23/05/2021 15:44

I think calling the OP an idiot for declining the vaccine that it has been advised against people in her age group is a bit off

RedcurrantPuff · 23/05/2021 15:45

And I say that as someone who has had 2 AZ doses

ajmouse · 23/05/2021 16:12

It's a pointless argument now anyway as anyone under 40 is offered Pfizer or Moderna instead. I grabbed AZ while I could and had to push for it (gave the reasoning that many people take much bigger risks to protect others every day) but friends the same age got Pfizer a week later so would've been no harm waiting and there's obviously plenty of supply now. Keep calm get Pfizer or Moderna'd up and carry on

Treacletoots · 23/05/2021 16:23

I totally agree with you OP. I'm in the over 40s bracket who I think have been royally fucked over by the government trying to get rid of the last batches of AZ since they're now not wanting to give them to under 40s.

If it's not safe for under 40, then it's not safe for over either IMHO. My DH and many of my work colleagues have had AZ and they have all been very unwell for a week afterwards. I was incredibly fortunate to have been offered Pfizer otherwise i think I too would have refused it.

It's time for someone to hold their hands up and say we made a mistake. It's not as safe as it should be and just stop offering it to everyone. It's not OK to throw the over 40s under the bus.

RedcurrantPuff · 23/05/2021 16:30

@Treacletoots

It's time for someone to hold their hands up and say we made a mistake. It's not as safe as it should be and just stop offering it to everyone. It's not OK to throw the over 40s under the bus.

I’m 48 and had AZ and was fine, most people I know who got it had only v mild effects.

TableFlowerss · 23/05/2021 16:35

Correct me if I’m wrong (I’m sure you will) but the whole blood clot concern with AZ in the under 40’s is only 5 per 1 million people have been affected?

Pfeizer is 4 in 1 million? If that’s true then it’s hardly significantly different?.....

beguilingeyes · 23/05/2021 17:02

A reaction to the Vaccine is a bodies natural response. Feeling a bit unwell afterwards is no reason not to take it. All vaccines are going to have some response..the flu vaccine is the same.

A friend of mine has long Covid and has lost the use of all of the fingers of one hand. He's been told it's nerve damage. He's in his 30s. A few days response to a vaccine is a walk in the park comparably.

Blossomtoes · 23/05/2021 17:07

My DH and many of my work colleagues have had AZ and they have all been very unwell for a week afterwards

They were very unlucky. Both of us had it and felt a bit shit the day after the first dose, then right as rain. No ill effect at all after the second one.

Kittykaboodle · 23/05/2021 17:19

This AZ fuss is ridiculous. Do we think big pharma (and it’s many investors, being made much much much wealthier with the pandemic investments in vaccines)

benefit from AZ being cast in doubt? 🤔.

Given that the AZ vaccine is the only one give at cost price. Odd coincidence.

The number of thromboembolic events in vaccinated people is no higher than the number seen in the general population. As of 10 March 2021, 30 cases1 of thromboembolic events had been reported among close to 5 million people vaccinated with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in the European Economic Area.

Original poster

cosmoswithcovids · 23/05/2021 17:44

@ajmouse it's not a pointless discussion- I'm 30 and was offered the AZ vaccine (and no alternative) three days ago. And I was made to feel fairly ridiculous and foolish by a GP for refusing it. And refusing it on govt advice that I should get an alternative.

OP posts:

thegcatsmother · 23/05/2021 17:55

Yet my 25 year old has had two doses of AZ, done at the same time as his Dad and I, and he is fine.

iseeu · 23/05/2021 18:03

@Kittykaboodle

This AZ fuss is ridiculous. Do we think big pharma (and it’s many investors, being made much much much wealthier with the pandemic investments in vaccines)

benefit from AZ being cast in doubt? 🤔.

Given that the AZ vaccine is the only one give at cost price. Odd coincidence.

The number of thromboembolic events in vaccinated people is no higher than the number seen in the general population. As of 10 March 2021, 30 cases1 of thromboembolic events had been reported among close to 5 million people vaccinated with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in the European Economic Area.

It has been (for quite a while now,) the independent scientists who have been saying give AZ to males and older women, purely on evidence, not pharma companies or anyone invested.

nordica · 23/05/2021 18:14

@TableFlowerss

Correct me if I’m wrong (I’m sure you will) but the whole blood clot concern with AZ in the under 40’s is only 5 per 1 million people have been affected?

Pfeizer is 4 in 1 million? If that’s true then it’s hardly significantly different?.....

This is not the case, the clots associated with AZ (and Johnson & Johnson vaccine - which is also an adenovirus vector vaccine) are a very specific type that don't happen otherwise. It's clotting with low platelets. There's no debate among scientists, it is caused by the vaccine - it's even called VITT (Vaccine induced Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia). There haven't been any cases of it with Pfizer/Moderna.

Why do you think the JCVI and similar bodies in many other contires have changed their advice if it's not an issue?

Kittykaboodle · 23/05/2021 18:34

Iseeu
The MHRA isn’t independent, it is 100% paid for by the pharma industry.

...the MHRA listens far too closely to the concerns of major pharmaceutical companies

www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4654/rr-9

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