I refused the AZ vaccine, now being judged for it

[cosmoswithcovids]

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.

I didn't say AZ causes anxiety 🙄 I was saying I was absolutely terrified of the AZ and would have made myself ill overthinking everything after taking it. It might seem like nothing to you, but for someone who has serious anxiety the fear takes over.

The above was for @AnnieSnap BTW. I didn't hit the quote button.

@Lozzie86

I didn't say AZ causes anxiety 🙄 I was saying I was absolutely terrified of the AZ and would have made myself ill overthinking everything after taking it. It might seem like nothing to you, but for someone who has serious anxiety the fear takes over.

I misunderstood your post. I thought you were suggesting that ‘crippling anxiety’ could be a side effect. I do understand that anxiety is very hard to deal with. Glad you’re okay.

To be fair, if the vaccine causes an inflammatory process in some people, then it could cause anxiety per se, given increasing research about inflammation being behind some mental health problems

@Roonerspismed

To be fair, if the vaccine causes an inflammatory process in some people, then it could cause anxiety per se, given increasing research about inflammation being behind some mental health problems

Speaking as a Clinical Psychologist, the link is actually the other way around. There is some evidence that stress and anxiety can trigger inflammation in the body.

I would have refused it too for the sake of a week or two. You can say the risk is small all you want, but if I'm going to calculate risk why would I take the vaccine that does have that risk when I'm eligible for the one that doesn't and can get it almost immediately?? That's what risk calculation is about!

Were you ever on the pill? Had a coil? If the answer is yes, you are not that worried about clots. Take the vaccine with your name on it and get on with your life. Even people who have had clots are taking the AZ vaccine. If your paranoia outweighs the actual risk, don't get the jab. But don't moan if you get Covid or cannot leave the country. There is no choice of jab. You get the one with your name on it decided by strangers.

@Mirw How many times does it need to be said that those types of clots are generally much less serious and more easily treatable than what is induced by AZ?

@Mirw they are completely different types of clots, with very different risks.

You're no better than all the zombies on social media trying to shame people into have a vaccination we've been advised against based on an X vs Y comparison of birth control and AZ. It just makes you look stupid tbh.

I don’t even respond to the people now that say “have you ever taken the pill”. They are clearly as dumb as fuck not to have realised there is a huge difference between the two conditions so I don’t even bother to read the rest of the post as they have nothing to contribute

Yep, not only is there a difference between the 2 types of clots I also take the Pill or fly on planes for my own benefit. I'm getting the vaccine for the benefit of society, not my own benefit, so I'd rather do that as risk-free as possible.

in the Times today I saw another young women ( U.K. mother of 3, nursery worker, early 40s) has just died from blood clots following Astra Zeneca vaccination.

I already mentioned the BBC announcer on the NE also early 40s who died last week from blood clots after AZ.

@Roonerspismed

I don’t even respond to the people now that say “have you ever taken the pill”. They are clearly as dumb as fuck not to have realised there is a huge difference between the two conditions so I don’t even bother to read the rest of the post as they have nothing to contribute

You are the one who is ignorant, stop setting it up as a competition My DS ex nearly died from a clot on the lung caused by the pill. It left her on long term medication, when they flew on holiday she had to be injected every few days. Also have a relation who had a deep vein thrombosis from a long haul flight. She was a young fit under 30 My mum actually got heparin induced thrombocytopenia after an operation for stomach cancer.

Wow! Not sure what that makes you with that comment. Not nice, that's for sure.

I know someone that had theirs in March, only just starting to feel okay now in July. YANBU to want to wait. Regardless of people here who just don't get it. Flaming from behind a keyboard is so easy.... If you were one of the few to have a reaction, it's you who would be left alone to deal with it. Do you think anyone here calling you selfish would care.... of course not, they wouldn't give a monkeys as they're okay.
Do what's right for you and don't be bullied. I would do the same as you.

I've never taken the oral contraceptive pill and am in the age group where Pfizer or Moderna are now recommended instead of AZ. I would not take AZ but would be first to book (and did) for Pfizer, which I've now had.

The risk is not "theoretical" to people who have died, such as Lisa Shaw, the local radio presenter who did lots of valuable community coverage, or her children, husband and dependant relatives.

If a GP practice had spare doses,,they should have been offered to vulnerable patients still waiting for an appountment, or frontline health workers such as nurses, paramedics, police, doctors, and possibly shop assistants or teachers - not spouses of doctors/friends.

**NB that said, a friend who is exactly my age was given the AZ vaccine as a frontline health worker, long before the fatalities were reported. She had both doses and is completely fine. The AZ vaccine does not invariably cause serious problems - it works well most of the time!