How do I know which vaccine I'll get?

[RealityCheck24601]

I'm 36 & due my first jab next week and am incredibly anxious about it. (I have diagnosed anxiety disorder)

I've seen a few posts from people stating which (first dose) vaccine they're due to be getting. How are you finding this out?

I don't want to be a vaccine refuser, but I won't go near AZ as I had a (albeit very small) blood clot on my brain years ago. I know the risk is tiny but it's still a risk and one I'm not willing to take.

Is there a way to find out which vaccine I'm due before turning up? I don't want to waste the slot if AZ is the only one on offer.

I’m 39 and got Pfizer

Not the most reliable source of information, but there was a thread on our local Facebook group where people were discussing it & various people had been told everyone being jabbed that week was having Pfizer. So I knew from there it would probably be Pfizer

Have you spoken to your GP about whether AZ is suitable for you given your history?

I thought everyone under 40 was given an alternative to AZ.

@userxx

I thought everyone under 40 was given an alternative to AZ.

I thought so too. I just wanted to know if there was anyway to know for definite before turning up. I've noticed a lot of posts from people seemingly knowing which vaccine they're due.

@HermioneWeasley

Have you spoken to your GP about whether AZ is suitable for you given your history?

I've been trying to get in touch with GP but it's proving an impossible task - jab is Wednesday so running out of time. I will keep trying though.

My friend has a history of blood clots and had to have the Pfizer vaccine as AZ wasn’t suitable for her. Plus it’s been reported that all under 40s will be offered an alternative to AZ.

@Lostinthewilderness

I’m 39 and got Pfizer

Not the most reliable source of information, but there was a thread on our local Facebook group where people were discussing it & various people had been told everyone being jabbed that week was having Pfizer. So I knew from there it would probably be Pfizer

Thanks. I'm hoping this will be the case, but I can't seem to find any information online to say how to find out.

If you book via the National booking website you’ll only be shown Pfizer and Moderna options. There’s an element of trust that that will happen, but it is actually working.

@Lucidas

If you book via the National booking website you’ll only be shown Pfizer and Moderna options. There’s an element of trust that that will happen, but it is actually working.

Thank you! This has made me feel a little better!

I'm in my late 30's and had the vaccine last week. They said they were not giving AZ to the under 40s and it was Pfizer I had.
Apart from a sore arm for one day I felt totally fine with no other side effects at all.
Everyone was lovely, it was brilliantly run and all explained and very calm and very quick! You have to sit there for 15 minutes afterwards then you're off.
You will be fine

I’m 39 but booked mine just before they changed the guidance. NHS texted me to say i was booked in for AZ but because of my age and no health conditions, it was preferable for me to have another vaccine so I could either cancel and rebook for another vaccine or go ahead with the AZ. All my friends who have booked subsequently have had Pfizer and said AZ hasn’t been an option so you should be fine.

I know a 32 year old who was given AZ on Thursday. No idea how he booked though as didn’t ask that. So it is being given out still. Can you find out what the vaccine centre usually use?

It now seems to be protocol to give an alternative to AZ to under 40s so no need to worry. In the unlikely event you turn up and you are offered AZ then you’re able to decline and rebook. Now the guidance has changed and there generally seems to be a good supply of alternatives you won’t be expected to take the AZ. All of my friends including a few in their early 40s have all been given Pfizer over the past few weeks.

On my Invite text it said that there were appointments available from tomorrow for my first Pfizer dose.
I dont think under 40s are having AZ.

I work at a mass vaccination centre as a hcp. You will get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. We are no longer giving AZ to under 40s as a first dose.

I’m 38 and got my first dose of Pfizer today. When I got to the centre, there were two lines, one for AZ and one for Pfizer.

The booking system will absolutely only show you booking options for your age group - only Pfizer or Moderna.

Thank you all! I feel much more at ease now!
Still going to try and get in touch with GP just to be 100% certain but going from the last few posts, it shouldn't be an issue getting the alternative vaccine.
Thanks again

Hi, I had a quick chat with the vaccine organiser at my GP who advised me in which location they would be offering which vaccine. i booked the relevant place, and when I arrived I asked at the check-in desk and it was confirmed, then double-checked again with the jabber themselves and everyone was totally fine - they understand why you are asking.

They get these questions all the time, you are not being difficult, you are just taking a normal interest in medical procedures.

My partner got his first jab over weekend he is over 40 and got the Moderna. I understand they are saving all AZ for second doses and first doses will all be Pfizer or Moderna.