Would you mix vaccines?

[Patsycake]

Canada, Spain, Germany, France and Italy are all offering Pfizer as a second dose to AZ.

UK are still only allowing this in “exceptional” circumstances.

How likely do you think it is they the UK will offer this choice? And would you mix if this was available to you?

I’m undecided about my second AZ and think I would actually quite like to have the choice of an alternative.

What are you undecided about your second AZ?I had horrible side effects with my first that lasted ages, no issues apart from needing a big afternoon nap with my second!

No I wouldn't mix vaccines

I think it'll be allowed in due course. My DP won't have his second AZ, will only have Pfizer.

The problem may be that the UK is getting short on Pfizer vaccines but still has loads of AZ, so that may be one reason why they are holding off on okaying it.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

Personally for me, it’s the blood clot risk. Which I know is a very small risk (23 cases from the second dose) but I feel it’s a risk I’m not happy about taking if there’s a safer alternative available.

I’m not suggesting that other vaccines don’t come with risks, as I know they do.
But MRNA vaccines don’t carry a risk of VIIT.

@CrunchyCarrot

My DP won't have his second AZ, will only have Pfizer.

What are his reasons for this? Is he just going to remain partially vaccinated until there is an alternative available?

All those 23 cases have been in over 50s which I have found reassuring.

Given the risk of delaying a second jab and catching highly contagious delta variant the risk assessment seems to suggest getting the second AZ as soon as possible.

What's the official advice? I think I'd follow that.

@Chillychangchoo

All those 23 cases have been in over 50s which I have found reassuring.

@Chillychangchoo

Do you have a link to this information please?

I haven’t been able to find a break down of ages on the Gov UK website.

@TheLovelinessOfDemons

Official advice is to have your second dose (which in my case would be AZ)
I still have a few weeks and I’m hoping that maybe in that time the guidance could change.

Surely it's better to be fully vaccinated whatever the vaccine than partially vaccinated. I think there may be pressure to reverse the AZ ban on under 40s anyway in an effort to jab everyone - there was some talk of a shortage of Pfizer so I think mixing is a way off. I read that there is some doubt whether any of the clots after 2nd vaccine are caused by it.
Honestly, just get done ASAP. It could save your life, or prevent long Covid.
Where there have been severe side effects with one or the other (I know someone who came out in hives which blistered after Pfizer) they can justify mixing.

[quote Patsycake]@CrunchyCarrot

My DP won't have his second AZ, will only have Pfizer.

What are his reasons for this? Is he just going to remain partially vaccinated until there is an alternative available?[/quote]
He's very worried about the clotting issues with AZ. He's already had Covid and has antibodies to it so it's overly worried about waiting for a second vaccine, so at the moment he's happy to wait but we'll have to see what transpires.

*so is not overly worried.

@patsycake

It’s on the gov site dated the 2nd of June and does specifically say the 23 cases post second vaccination have been in the over 50s. There was no breakdown other than that.

@Chillychangchoo

Would you possibly have a link to where is states they’ve occurred in over 50’s?

I’ve searched and searched but cannot find this.

@Patsycake

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-blood-clotting-information-for-healthcare-professionals/information-for-healthcare-professionals-on-blood-clotting-following-covid-19-vaccination#number-of-those-affected-who-die

Under number 8

Yes my preference would be Pfizer for both and alternatively Pfizer for the second. I would prefer to mix vaccines than take a second AZ. I wish I hadn’t had the first AZ. The risks associated with it are not associated with MRNA vaccines.

Also under heading number 2 on that link.

I would go with the guidance, personally I think you’d be incredibly stupid to not to have your second vaccine ASAP with the way the cases are going, particularly when the people getting ill are either unvaccinated or have had only one dose.