Why are people still accepting AZ? Will it be stopped?

[Bitzyboo]

DH went for his Covid vaccine today. (Under 40 so he got Moderna)

The queue at the vaccine centre was enormous.
The attended in the car park told us they were running behind on appointments and the queue was for second doses.

Dh got chatting to the guy that did his vaccine, he told him that in their vaccination centre they were using moderna for first doses and AZ were all for second.

It’s really surprised me that there’s such a huge uptake of AZ given the risk associated.
I thought by now it would have been stopped.

Are people still happily accepting it?

The risk is infinitesimal.

The jab is easily and quickly available and offers excellent protection. Against catching it and / or getting seriously ill.

AZ is very cheap and effective and will likely be the jab that makes a difference in the developing world.

I was delighted to have my second dose last week.

I’m 37 & female. I had AZ as my first dose, it’ll more than likely be my second.

I have a higher risk of blood clots from taking the pill than I have from AZ.

HTH.

There's nothing wrong with AZ. I've had both vaccinations with no problem. There are blood clots with Pfizer as well.

Get a grip, have one of these , and educate yourself about risk

Mixing vaccines is still being trialled and AZ isn't a significant risk for the age group getting second doses (or for first doses really but that's not the point)

I will be getting my second dose of AZ in early July and have no qualms doing so. The risk is absolutely miniscule- I'm far more likely to be in a car crash on the way to getting my jab.

And yes I have accepted AZ. Twice. Gladly.

Oh goody. Another new Mumsnetter/namechanger telling us how dreadful AZ is.

Because it's a tiny risk. I'm happy to have had it

You keep saying 'someone has to be that one' but there will be many people every day killed by cars or cancer and there'll probably one that's killed by their tv falling off the wall or by lightening. The risks are so low and the benefits of the activity, in the case of the vaccines specifically, outweigh the risks of clots massively. Not just for the person but also for society. I do like the slipper analogy above. If you think the risk is too high for the vaccine don't wear your slippers or cross the road.

Both doses of AZ.
I was delighted when I had my second.
Got a sticker both times too

I didn't get a sticker!

Bloody outrage.

And I gave them biscuits too. Meanies.

*That is why they are offering different vaccines to different age groups, in recognition of fact that, at an individual level, the vaccine may on occasion not weigh up so well against the illness compared for younger people compared to older age groups.

At a population level it would seem very clear that any vaccine is beneficial, and uptake is critical to saving thousands of lives and restarting lives again.*

Yes, exactly. I agree. But the PPs I quoted were talking about the risk at an individual level (or that was the inference).

It's a bit much for those PPs to come here and criticise the OP for her inability to weigh up risk when they themselves aren't making fully logical observations.

The risks are real but small. We take risks every day - getting in cars, crossing roads, etc. Nothing in life is risk free. I have seen the data and am comfortable with that level of risk. I will be having my second AZ dose when my appointment rolls around. I have no particular fear of COVID but I do want the world to get back to some sort of normality.

useful link here and maybe a useful book fullfact.org/health/astrazeneca-vaccine-risk-comparison/

Some countries are offering AZ on a voluntary basis and there’s been a decent demand. I believe there are areas of Germany demand has outstripped supply.

Wanna sticker

@Serpenta

Have one of mine. Nobody should go without a sticker.

I didn't get a sticker either

I think it will be stopped or tweaked so it doesn’t cause blood clots (they understand the mechanism now).

The US haven’t licensed it and Denmark has ditched it.

There are two relevant risks here, each with a few variables associated:

• Risks from Covid

These vary by age and clinical vulnerability, but also importantly by level and type of Covid circulating in the community.

• Risks from the vaccine

These vary only slightly by age, but there may also be specific medical contraindications for some people.

The balance between these two depends not only on who you are (age, clinical vulnerability), which has been discussed extensively here, but also on how much Covid is circulating in the community and what variant, and on the effectiveness of the vaccine.

So consider two different scenarios:

• Very highly effective vaccine, very high circulating Covid of a variant that infects your specific age group very well.

In this scenario, even if there is a small but real risk from the vaccine, the balance of risks is well in favour of having this particular vaccine.

• Less effective vaccine, low circulating Covid of a variant that spreads at an average level through your specific age group.

In this scenario, even if the risk from the vaccine is LOWER than in the first scenario, the balance of risks is not in favour of having this vaccine.

So it is entirely possible that, if the Indian variant runs out of control and shows high infectivity and more serious illness amongst younger age groups, actually the balance of risks will swing back to 'inject everyone, of any age, with AZ NOW as we have lots of it and it can be administered everywhere with no storage limitations'. It's a dynamic sitation and depends as much on the state of play with Covid in the country as on you as an individual.

The government urgently needs to sort out the sticker lottery.

[quote Tealightsandd]@Serpenta

Have one of mine. Nobody should go without a sticker.[/quote]
Ah thanks!

I didnt get a sticker 🤨

Im under 40 and have had both AZ vaccines

No issues at all

Will happily have the 3rd if there is a booster

@Egghead68

I think it will be stopped or tweaked so it doesn’t cause blood clots (they understand the mechanism now).

The US haven’t licensed it and Denmark has ditched it.

I don't see how they can stop it. What about those of us who have had one dose? I don't want to be half vaccinated or take the risk of mixing vaccines.

@Egghead68

I think it will be stopped or tweaked so it doesn’t cause blood clots (they understand the mechanism now).

The US haven’t licensed it and Denmark has ditched it.

I have got friends in Denmark who are raging because the AZ vaccine has been stopped there. They know the story and the risks and just want to be vaccinated.