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Original poster

Alternatives to AstraZeneca (not an anti vax thread) - Thread 3

146 replies

Mixmeup · 09/07/2021 14:59

Just thought I’d start a new one as the last one is full and everyone on it was so kind and helpful.

After much soul searching I had my second AZ shot this week. I’m really anxious now as I’m in the ‘risk period’ but so far not as bad as last time because it feels like a steadier situation. Last time I had it was just before they stopped using it in various countries for under 60ish people and then here for my age group. I’m still scared though.

Latest MHRA report is out and seems to show things as pretty steady. I suppose most people now are getting second dose AZ or Pfizer if younger (eg my age Angry )

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting

How’s everyone doing?

OP posts:
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6
treestump44 · 23/07/2021 20:28

Thanks @Grellbunt
I think I might have actually been very lucky this week because as of next week and all of August the same drop in clinic in Inverness offer Pfizer and AZ and so I wonder what happens then when you are 40+ and you are really supposed to have AZ. Is that what they automatically give you as they have it and you are not supposed to have a choice? I hope it does not revert back to this rigidity but who knows. I was told the second should be same as first so I feel ok but it might well have been luck more than anything for me

Grellbunt · 24/07/2021 22:13

Hopefully it will be fine. I think there is talk of following AZ with Pfizer but not the other way round.

Grellbunt · 25/07/2021 11:56

www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-57873195

treestump44 · 25/07/2021 12:51

Thanks for sharing @Grellbunt
Heartbreaking to watch (it's the interview with Lisa Shaw's husband)
It's always so easy to say to people well it probably won't be you who is the 1 out of x. But it's somebody, their life, their families

Yahtze · 25/07/2021 12:59

We are in the US for the summer and DH had AZ (two doses) in the U.K. He's just been given one shot of a Pfizer booster. He's 49 and would have just missed the proposed booster cut off of 50. It's free here to anyone and you can choose which vaccine.

Rainbowsandstorms · 25/07/2021 13:23

@treestump44 that’s great news. I‘m so happy for you.

That’s just the thing isn’t it, it may be a rare side effect but every person who has died is someone’s loved one. The interview with Lisa Shaw’s husband is heartbreaking.

Rainbowsandstorms · 25/07/2021 13:24

I’m finally 28 days post second AZ which feels like a huge milestone, just have those last few much lower risk weeks to get to 42 days

Indoctro · 26/07/2021 12:41

Moderna only clinics running in Aberdeen

Alternatives to AstraZeneca (not an anti vax thread) - Thread 3
EmmyLake · 31/07/2021 09:50

Anyone else disappointed that the 40s won't be getting a booster shot? So we're considered at risk enough to put up with AZ but not at risk enough to get a booster.

Olliphant · 01/08/2021 09:11

Yes, the over 40s are having a rubbish time. Totally overlooked! It's so weird!!

Olliphant · 03/08/2021 14:48

Hello, just wanted to update that today I received a pfizer in Scotland ( Am well over 40). Hurrah!

ScarlettSunset · 03/08/2021 15:12

@Olliphant

Hello, just wanted to update that today I received a pfizer in Scotland ( Am well over 40). Hurrah!
Brilliant! Hurrah! I'm really pleased you managed to get an alternative
Kitcat122 · 03/08/2021 19:19

I can't believe I am reading that people are actually saying Pfizer can (very rarely) give heart inflammation but it's very treatable so it's OK and better than AZ (very rare) blood clot risk. 🤣. Just take what you're offered it's much more favourable and safer than Covid.

Olliphant · 03/08/2021 22:11

@ScarlettSunset thank you for your kind comment! I feel very relieved.

ScarlettSunset · 03/08/2021 22:49

@Kitcat122

I can't believe I am reading that people are actually saying Pfizer can (very rarely) give heart inflammation but it's very treatable so it's OK and better than AZ (very rare) blood clot risk. 🤣. Just take what you're offered it's much more favourable and safer than Covid.
People need to make their own choice about what they feel comfortable with. For me the risk of VITT just felt too high, and I would have suffered with terrible anxiety for a full month after each vaccine. I just couldn't and wouldn't put myself through that when there were alternatives available that I was happier to take. In my case, I was able to get Moderna. Quite probably I would have been absolutely fine with AZ too, but I might not have been. I'll never know, but for me, personally, the VITT risk wasn't a risk I was willing to take.
Kitcat122 · 04/08/2021 10:25

@ScarlettSunset I understand. I felt a little sketchy when I had my first dose. My point was Pfizer has equally dodgy side affects that can be equally serious and someone saying that heart inflammation is OK because it's easier to treat is absolutely crazy and that person obviously doesn't know what they are talking about.

IndigoC · 04/08/2021 15:06

[quote Kitcat122]@ScarlettSunset I understand. I felt a little sketchy when I had my first dose. My point was Pfizer has equally dodgy side affects that can be equally serious and someone saying that heart inflammation is OK because it's easier to treat is absolutely crazy and that person obviously doesn't know what they are talking about.[/quote]
If you look at the MHRA yellow card reports AZ has about 3.5x the amount of adverse events than Pfizer. So I don’t think that’s an accurate statement at all. The (rare) heart issues are typically mild and self-limiting. VITT is not.

Most importantly, neutralising antibodies (and likely efficacy) are lower with AZ.

Kitcat122 · 04/08/2021 16:01

If you look at stats from other countries Pfizer equally has its issues. At the end of the day people are saying they'd have health anxiety for the 4 weeks after AZ If they had taken it but are ok with going unvacinated for the 4 weeks while waiting for another jab risking Covid which has tons of potential health issues if you get it. You are minimising heart inflammation oh sorry mild heart inflammation. Covid is far more likely to give you heart inflammation and blood clots pots, lung scarring etc...

ScarlettSunset · 04/08/2021 16:55

A lot depends on individual circumstances though. I felt OK to wait for my jab as I live alone and work from home and could easily choose just to not see anyone else. If I worked in a customer facing role and/or had children in school, I may well have felt differently about the risks.
I certainly don't want to play down any of the risks either with Covid or any of the vaccines, but I do feel it's unfair that so many people have been put in the position of having to wait for alternatives due to government decisions, as the vaccine they were being told they had to have was the one that carried the highest risk.

Grellbunt · 07/08/2021 09:17

@Olliphant

Hello, just wanted to update that today I received a pfizer in Scotland ( Am well over 40). Hurrah!
Thank goodness for that - what an absolute disgrace that you were forced to wait so long.

I hope AZ hurry up and investigate/fix their vaccine as per the independent Uni of Ulm scientists' findings.

Blessex · 07/08/2021 09:23

You do all know that the latest study out shows that the risk of blood clot is the same for both AZ and Pfizer……? Honestly it’s all politics and you are all falling for it. And not only that the ranking of vaccines is now affecting the developing world - notable Africa - because they think they are getting a ‘lesser vaccine’ and are dying in droves now. Sigh

Read the latest research. PFIZER HAS SAME BLOOD CLOT RISK AS AZ. Seems it also has a heart risk too. But jog on with the misinformation.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.euronews.com/next/amp/2021/07/29/astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-blood-clot-risk-similar-to-pfizer-spanish-study-finds

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/inews.co.uk/news/health/astrazeneca-vaccine-blood-clot-risk-pfizer-covid-jab-study-1127179/amp

Grellbunt · 07/08/2021 14:22

[quote Blessex]You do all know that the latest study out shows that the risk of blood clot is the same for both AZ and Pfizer……? Honestly it’s all politics and you are all falling for it. And not only that the ranking of vaccines is now affecting the developing world - notable Africa - because they think they are getting a ‘lesser vaccine’ and are dying in droves now. Sigh

Read the latest research. PFIZER HAS SAME BLOOD CLOT RISK AS AZ. Seems it also has a heart risk too. But jog on with the misinformation.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.euronews.com/next/amp/2021/07/29/astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-blood-clot-risk-similar-to-pfizer-spanish-study-finds

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/inews.co.uk/news/health/astrazeneca-vaccine-blood-clot-risk-pfizer-covid-jab-study-1127179/amp[/quote]
Until I see a proper detailed breakdown of blood clot risk v risks from a virus that in me produced virtually no symptoms for healthy, normal range BMI women in my age group then I won't be convinced that the risks from AZ are acceptable. Age 40 is very low as a cut off, too low.

Blessex · 08/08/2021 08:21

@Grellbunt it’s in the study (I sent link) of 1.3m people which also showed that risk of blood clot from Pfizer is same as AZ. It’s all games, politics and PR. Maybe 1.3m people isn’t enough to convince you?

ScarlettSunset · 08/08/2021 08:33

[quote Blessex]@Grellbunt it’s in the study (I sent link) of 1.3m people which also showed that risk of blood clot from Pfizer is same as AZ. It’s all games, politics and PR. Maybe 1.3m people isn’t enough to convince you?[/quote]
I didn't find it clear whether it was the same type of blood clot within the report. I may have missed it though.

Grellbunt · 08/08/2021 19:46

Is it broken down by age and sex though?