Thrombosis after AZ jab - what to do about second injection?

[kersh33]

Hi all,

I was wondering whether anyone else suffered from clots after their first AZ jab and what advice they received re their second jab?

A family member developed clots after their first AZ jab which the doctors "think" are connected. When they asked what to do about the second jab, they basically got told that no-one knew and it was up to them to decide. The cardiac consultant they saw said that personally they wouldn't have any further COVID vaccines at all but that was based on opinion rather than official medical advice.

I was hoping that maybe someone else might have had better advice than my relative who's basically been left to get on with it. They are vulnerable to COVID (several co-morbidities) and so are worried about catching COVID without a full vaccination course but equally worried about what might happen with another vaccination.

Would have thought at least they would be offered a choice of vaccine

It sounds like asking medical professionals is going to be a way better bet than anything you'll get on a forum. Best of luck with it, it sounds like a tough situation.

I'm in two minds about my second AZ with no increased risk factors. In your relatives situation absolutely not a chance would I have it. Especially as there are alternatives available.

Bloody hell no, I wouldn't do that personally. The only reason I'm willing to get my second jab in the next few weeks (AZ) is because it's been five weeks since the first one and I'm still alive.

The regulatory information states the following contraindications:

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Patients with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT or HIT type 2).

Patients who have experienced major venous and/or arterial thrombosis occurring with thrombocytopenia following vaccination with any COVID-19 vaccine should not receive a second dose of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.

If this was me I would discuss with my GP pointing this section out.

It is from the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). It can be found here:
www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12333/smpc#gref

Unfortunately when my relative spoke to the doctors treating them in hospital and the gp neither of them would give them a straight answer about what to do next. They basically pushed the responsibility for a decision onto them with no facts to go on.

I would like to think in this instance they would be offered Pfizer or Moderna but no one has been able to say whether even that would be safe.

The European equivalent of the MHRA has said that you shouldn’t have your second AZ if you had blood clots with the first. I’d go with that advice personally and ask for Pfizer.

@How2Help - thank you, that's very helpful. I'll point them to the site and maybe they can try again with the gp. Just seems incredible that no one they spoke to could give a straight answer as to what the recommended course of action should be.

Jeez no, I wouldn’t have the second AZ. I would push for advice on a different vaccine

I think the results of the UK study about mixing vaccines might come out in June.

If she doesn’t mind waiting a few weeks and if the report says it’s safe to mix them, then the Government might be more open to offer Pfizer/Moderna to people like your friend.

I have a family member who suffered bloods clots following Covid. They were told that they must not have AZ and were advised to have Pfizer instead.