Why the Pfizer Preference over AZ

[theonlyoneiknow]

Hi All,

Both DH and I have had our first dose. He was given AZ and I was given Pfizer (both late 40s). Same clinic just different days.

From what I can gather the majority of the 'bad' press and concerns on MN is about the AZ blood clots with less flagging up about Pfizer concerns (although there has been the a few articles in the press - heart inflammation etc).

So, this is a genuine question - sorry if it has been badly worded. Is it just that people don't want to have the AZ vaccine but would happily have Pfizer? Which is a 'new' type of vaccine (grateful to receive anything that might reassure me here).

DH had zero side effects after his AZ. I developed tinnitus shortly after having my Pfizer vaccine. Neither of us have had second doses yet. But, just really trying to get my head around it all. Still in delayed shock sometimes that this is the current situation in the world (but that's a different matter!)

Thank you.

I wanted the Pfizer one as it seems to be a more effective vaccine. But I would have taken the AZ one if that was the only one available.

I personally would have preferred Pfizer due to the efficacy reports.
I had AZ ( both) Was so grateful but given the choice I'd have gone Pfizer and especially now with the clotting reports.

I think the clot risk, the reporting of side effects, the stated lower efficacy (but this is debatable as it depends on the interval after dosing) the legal wranglings with the EU have all helped AZ be seen in a negative light.
The truth is we would probably be crying out for AZ if pfizer et al weren't on the scene, it has saved countless lives and been produced at cost. The cynical side of me thinks that there were too many making massive profits from other vaccines, so rubbishing Az could prove lucrative.
I do think the anti AZ stance isn't good, this is an effective, safe vaccine that is our way out of the covid nightmare. My family,including my 32 year old daughter, have all had 2 doses of AZ.

I has pfizer yesterday but has no choice as under 40 but would have chosen it any way due to blood clotting risk with AZ. However would have taken any jab given to me if no choice as I think it is so important. DH and I had it together yesterday and feel so rough today though with side effects.

I wanted AZ and got it.

Mainly due to the historical lack of ethics of Pfizer.

@Florin

I has pfizer yesterday but has no choice as under 40 but would have chosen it any way due to blood clotting risk with AZ. However would have taken any jab given to me if no choice as I think it is so important. DH and I had it together yesterday and feel so rough today though with side effects.

There is a blood clot risk with Pfizer and Moderna.

I am under 40 and would have been happy with either (I had Pfizer and felt hungover for 48 hours after).

I am worried about the risks from the vaccine , especially around clotting. But I also feel that those risks exist if I caught covid - I lost both parents in their sixties to covid, my DM having covid related heart related and blood clots.

There's no vaccine-induced blood clot risk with Pfizer and Moderna. The specific type of clotting event (low platelets and a blood clot in the brain) is specific to AZ and J&J vaccines (both adenovirus vector vaccines).

Anecdotally, the only people I know who have been ill enough to take time off work after the vaccine were all (5) women who had AZ. Nobody I know has had anything other than a sore arm after Pfizer, including me. So I am happy to have had Pfizer over AZ.

It’s because the UK left the EU and the AZ vaccine comes from Oxford.

The EU and mainland Europe were shown up by the UKs vaccine rollout so they put doubts in people’s minds over it.

It’s also a lot cheaper than the Pfizer one so efforts were needed to get it out of the way.

@Suranjeep

It’s because the UK left the EU and the AZ vaccine comes from Oxford.

The EU and mainland Europe were shown up by the UKs vaccine rollout so they put doubts in people’s minds over it.

It’s also a lot cheaper than the Pfizer one so efforts were needed to get it out of the way.

This is what was thrown around a lot but it just isn't true.

The vaccine was killing people so they stopped it. They've stopped it in some age groups here too, and stopped the trials in children (if they'd rolled it out to children, it would have killed far far far more children than in the whole of the Covid pandemic so far - UK).

These concerns aren't invented and they don't happen with Pfizer. That said, we don't really know the long-term effects of any of the vaccines yet and the heart inflammation with Pfizer is worrying.

Have there not been deaths following Pfizer as well? I'm 40 and had 2 AZ. First was pre any publicity of clotting concerns and second last week. I was quite happy to get it and didn't want a different one. I took the pill for years which I understand carries a higher risk of blood clots, as well as having travelled on planes, carried children etc which also carry dvt risks. It may well be the case that I haven't read enough about it to get myself anxious and ignorance is bliss in my case. 🤷‍♀️

Loveydovey I missed your post - I'm so very sorry for your loss. That must be so so hard

Pfizer is safer and more effective.

Because AZ is British and anything British must be rubbish. And it's cheaper. And older technology,

So if you have Pfizer or Moderna you are superior.

In some cases the clot issue might come into it too, but I don't actually think that is the issue in a lot of cases.

@Donitta

Pfizer is safer and more effective.

I am not sure either of those claims is true. After two doses the efficacy is virtually the same, and they both have side effects.

Everyone I know who had AZ was either horrendously ill and off work after or had a reaction and ended up in hospital. Anyone I know who had pfizer was fine. I know everyone reacts differently but that definitely influenced my choice.

All my friends in their fifties and sixties have had AZ. None of them have had serious side effects from either dose.

My father who had a recent heart operation was given AZ and was told this was safer for him than pfizer. I have no idea why.
I know very few people who have had more than a sore arm and feeling a bit yucky for a few hours.

Two women I know very well, had Pfizer some weeks ago. Both have had side effects such as heat/cold rashes (one still has hives appear after exercising) For one, her once mild asthma is causing her to increase her inhaler usage considerably. Neither have 'yellow carded' their symptoms.

Personally, I don't know anyone that has had AZ and had more than the feeling of flu for a couple of days at most.

I do know of two of my DH's employees that have claimed they're too unwell to come into work following vaccination, but have managed to drag themselves to the pub.

Pfizer isn't safer. An Oxford University study has concluded clots are as prevalent with Pfizer as AstraZeneca. Plus Pfizer has been linked to heart inflammation.

All carry a risk. Covid is riskier for most.

Do you have a link to that study @Willyoujustbequiet

The information currently is that Pfizer is more effective and has less concerns about serious side effects. Yes, maybe that could be entirely down to selective reporting, bias, and general skulduggery - but I think it's more likely they are real differences.

I just got my first, and being in my 30s Pfizer was offered and recommended. That said if I had faced a choice between AZ today or Pfizer several weeks from now, I'd probably have had AZ (and made sure I knew the blood clot warning signs).

I think Moderna is really expensive and that's why it's rarely given in Britain?

I find it quite incredible that people have such an opinion about it and not only that a sense of entitlement about it. I’d love to know how many people have questioned the brand of vaccines that they and their kids have had before. People should get what they’re given and be grateful for it instead of bloody moaning. (Not including cases where a specific vaccine has been advised against).