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Original poster

Younger people who got AZ - what did you do about second dose?

86 replies

Mixmeup · 05/07/2021 17:13

I had AZ for my first dose and I'm 35. No specific risk factor for me - just a random text from the NHS and GP said might as well go for it (much, much regret since then as it's now banned in my age group!)

I cancelled my second dose as I wasn't comfortable with the risk. They really don't seem to know enough about it. The fact they were blindsided by this totally terrified me (it was an awful time after I got my first jab as from 2 days afterwards every other country started banning it in my age group and the UK started announcing more and more cases and deaths from AZ, and I suffer from anxiety anyway).

But I just don't know what to do now. People who've had AZ but it's now banned in your age group - what have you done about your second dose?

I wish they'd let us mix. Basically every other country where younger people have had AZ is giving them MRNA for the second dose (and the trials are showing this gives better immunity anyway!) so I'm annoyed that we have no option and keep wondering if I hold out if they'll change their mind. But of course I'm also worried if I hold out I'll just get the bloody Covid. It's tempting to just get it and get it over with but the regret was so deep after my first vaccine that I feel I've lost all trust in this vaccine.

On other hand, I'm 35 with no known underlying health conditions, BMI is 29 so not slim but shouldn't be at risk really and may not even catch Covid ever so is it worth risking that they now know all there is to know about AZ or should I just forget it and crack on with life (I don't travel so not fussed in that regard).

OP posts:
TakeTimeForU · 05/07/2021 22:38

I’ve just turned 40. Had my first dose but not sure about the second. It’s due now but I’m scared as I have previously had a blood clot few years back and take aspirin now indefinitely. Scared but also scared of Covid. Decisions decisions.

DdraigGoch · 05/07/2021 22:40
  1. Went ahead and had the second as soon as the call came.
nomorespaghetti · 05/07/2021 22:44

35, I had it

Thelm · 05/07/2021 22:45

I had both AZ. I’m 37.

vjg13 · 05/07/2021 22:46

My daughters, 18 and 23 both had their second doses of AZ, comprehensive leaflet with all the warning signs of complications given to them.

twinkletoesimnot · 05/07/2021 22:56

Dh had AZ one dose.
He has developed a blood clot.
Docs have advised he has 2nd dose while he is on the medication to disperse the clot.
I'm so worried about him.
He's 45, usually fit as a fiddle. Last went to docs 15 years ago before this.
Collapsed twice while working away from home.
Watching him like a hawk incase the clot moves as it disperses / breaks up.
Whole thing is a big worry.

landofgiants · 05/07/2021 23:19

AZ is not banned in your age group and lots of under 40s have had it, especially those in group 6 and healthcare workers etc. The clotting risk is really low, but has had a lot of press coverage, and once you start to feel anxious about it, it is difficult to put your concerns to one side.

On the plus side, you've had one dose, which should give you some protection, and you are youngish and female, so not likely to suffer severe disease if you do get Covid. I get that it feels unfair, but you are in a pretty good position overall.

I'm mid forties, I've had my first AZ, but I have cancelled my second due to the lasting unpleasant side effects that I've had from the first one (including severe headaches). I wasn't at all anxious about the clot risk beforehand, and I'm not sure if I am now. I am somewhat anxious about catching Covid as I'm asthmatic with a history of previous pneumonia. No mixing vaccines for me either (GP said no, in line with current guidance). So I'm entering half-vaccinated limbo land which feels a bit strange. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Original poster
Mixmeup · 05/07/2021 23:52

@TakeTimeForU

I’ve just turned 40. Had my first dose but not sure about the second. It’s due now but I’m scared as I have previously had a blood clot few years back and take aspirin now indefinitely. Scared but also scared of Covid. Decisions decisions.
It's tough isn't it. I totally get it.
OP posts:
Original poster
Mixmeup · 05/07/2021 23:55

@twinkletoesimnot

Dh had AZ one dose. He has developed a blood clot. Docs have advised he has 2nd dose while he is on the medication to disperse the clot. I'm so worried about him. He's 45, usually fit as a fiddle. Last went to docs 15 years ago before this. Collapsed twice while working away from home. Watching him like a hawk incase the clot moves as it disperses / breaks up. Whole thing is a big worry.
I'm really sorry - I'd be petrified if this was DH.

I don't think I'd get the second one in his shoes. Surely they'll let him have a different vaccine?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mixmeup · 06/07/2021 00:01

@landofgiants

AZ is not banned in your age group and lots of under 40s have had it, especially those in group 6 and healthcare workers etc. The clotting risk is really low, but has had a lot of press coverage, and once you start to feel anxious about it, it is difficult to put your concerns to one side.

On the plus side, you've had one dose, which should give you some protection, and you are youngish and female, so not likely to suffer severe disease if you do get Covid. I get that it feels unfair, but you are in a pretty good position overall.

I'm mid forties, I've had my first AZ, but I have cancelled my second due to the lasting unpleasant side effects that I've had from the first one (including severe headaches). I wasn't at all anxious about the clot risk beforehand, and I'm not sure if I am now. I am somewhat anxious about catching Covid as I'm asthmatic with a history of previous pneumonia. No mixing vaccines for me either (GP said no, in line with current guidance). So I'm entering half-vaccinated limbo land which feels a bit strange. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

It's a strange limbo feeling isn't it. I'm currently swaying towards just having it but I'm really afraid of regretting it as much as I regretted my first, and of course of it being a huge mistake that costs me my health or life.
OP posts:
Boomisshiss · 06/07/2021 03:44

I don’t believe it is banned or they wouldn’t be given it to anyone under 40 regardless if it was their second or not . I’m 30 and had both AZ no side effects.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 06/07/2021 04:08

35, AZ guidance also changed after 1st dose never even contemplated not getting the 2nd

PattyPan · 06/07/2021 04:33

I have a friend who got AZ due to being CV, she is 26 same as me. She got the second dose as normal and was totally fine. She’d had quite a strong reaction to the first one (fever for a few days etc) but not second.

MissMooMoo · 06/07/2021 06:49

I am 34 and had my first dose just a few days before they started recommending that under 40s don't have it. My second dose is next Tuesday and I will be having it.

Loopylou555 · 06/07/2021 07:38

I had my first before the news about blood clots broke, as I'm group 6, had my second no problem. No side effects with the second at all. Very pleased to have had both, I wasn't anxious at all. I'm late 30's.

People are also right that AZ hasn't been banned for any adult age group. The MHRA has approved it for all over 18's. The JVCI who decide our immunisation policy have said anyone under the age of 40 should be offered a different vaccine if one is available but if AZ is the only one available any adult can have it. TBH I am pleased we didn't restrict AZ even further, imagine the problems we would be having now if much less under 50's or 60's were fully vaccinated because we were only using Pfizer and moderna for them, with the lower supply of those. Deaths would be much higher and hospital admissions.

However, I don't believe anyone should do anything that makes them uncomfortable and I think mixing will probably be approved soon, given the results of the trial are looking good. The issue would more be one of supply.

You have to do what you are comfortable with.

lljkk · 06/07/2021 07:45

afaik, the clotting risk is after 1st dose not 2nd dose; you already ran that risk when you had 1st dose.

DD (19yo) got her 2nd dose of AZ as soon as she was allowed. She was quite keen for it. She felt quite rough after 1st dose (most of a day in bed), but zero side effects from 2nd dose. This was back in early April, about 3 days after big announcements on the clotting risk for young people. She was well chuffed to be first person in British family to be double vaxxed.

Nyfluff · 06/07/2021 07:50

30s, had both doses of AZ. Very ill with first, exhausted and pressure and buzzing in my ears with the second. It's been over a week and the buzzing hasn't stopped yet.

QuentininQuarantino · 06/07/2021 08:00

I mixed because I’m in another country, our advice was to mix if we had had the first AZ BUT the data has shown that around 50% of the people who had 1st AZ opted to have the 2nd AZ, and the other half chose to mix, so a lot of people rejected advice to have a full complement of the same vaccine.

tempnamechange98765 · 06/07/2021 11:30

I'm 33 and DH is 37, we both had our second jab two weeks ago. Zero hesitancy, the risk is tiny.

Floobydo · 06/07/2021 12:16

I’m 36 & had the second dose. I must have had my first at a similar time to you.

I had zero side effects from either dose. I just made sure I knew what to look out for but I felt it was important to get both doses.

Bryonyshcmyony · 06/07/2021 12:16

Dd18 had AZ as a second dose and was so scared she cried. She is fine though!

Cosybelles · 06/07/2021 12:19

I looked at the evidence for myself and decided that the risk of getting covid was much higher than any risk of second dose AZ (early 30s female with no other health conditions). So I got the second jab and extremely glad I did too, especially now that all the restrictions are lifting and I am more likely to be exposed to the virus. Very relieved and grateful to have had both doses.

Rainbowsandstorms · 06/07/2021 12:54

I completely get it, I was in your position a few weeks ago. I’m in my 30s and had my first dose just before everything kicked off. Like you I also have health anxiety and just didn’t know what to do about the second. I cancelled my second dose several times and spoke to my GP about mixing as so many other countries are allowing this but he wasn’t able to authorise this. Eventually I realised my choices were to risk covid or my second vaccination. You’re right that when transmission is low the risk of the first vaccination is similar to that of covid however as transmission increases, as it is at present, the risk of serious harm from covid becomes higher. I’ve followed the second dose risk very closely and it appears to be significantly lower than with the first and seems to be 1 - 2 in a million. The rate has stayed pretty steady so I don’t imagine we’ll see a big increase. I decided to go ahead with mine 8 days ago and although I’m still nervous, it felt like a relief to make a decision. I’ve not yet had any side effects other than a sore arm and I feel calmer this time as there hasn’t been the constant increase in rates and press articles that there were first time round. I’ll be hugely relieved to get through the next few weeks but will then be happy to be fully vaccinated. Only you can make the decision that feels right for you though. Feel free to message if I can be of any help.

KB921 · 06/07/2021 13:53

I am 29 and had first dose of Az in Feb with no issues. I had extreme anxiety around having the second, I nearly didn't go but I did. I felt rough after the second (time after first) for a few days but nothing terrible. I get the concern over the blood clots but I am so glad I went for
Mine. After the first few weeks after the second my anxiety started to ease. I'm so glad I've had second dose now. The risk is very very small.

afaloren · 06/07/2021 14:15

Had both. Not worried. Friend has long covid and I am very worried about that. It’s ruined her life.

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