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Original poster

If you had the choice of all 3 vaccines - which would you go for?

76 replies

YellowClouds · 20/07/2021 19:57

Up until now I had decided not to get the vaccine for various reasons but have now had a change of heart and decided to go ahead

I am in the fortunate position of being local to several drop in clinics so have the choice of all 3

I am female, mid 40s, reasonably healthy, although a bit fat and some healthy conditions

Close relative became quite seriously ill in hospital after AstraZeneca which has put me off that but appreciate this doesn't mean the same will happen to me

Just wondered on opinions please. And if possible for the thread not to turn into a vax/anti vax debate please.

Thank you

OP posts:
itbemay1 · 20/07/2021 23:14

Pfizer. As it is the one I have had 2 doses of with no ill effect.

DramaAlpaca · 20/07/2021 23:18

@Aloethere I'm really glad we get to have our second doses at the recommended time here and don't have to wait weeks. Be prepared with your second Moderna as you might feel rotten for a few hours. I started feeling off after 24 hours, then 12 hours later it disappeared and I felt fine, it was like flicking a switch. It was really weird.

Aloethere · 20/07/2021 23:23

[quote DramaAlpaca]@Aloethere I'm really glad we get to have our second doses at the recommended time here and don't have to wait weeks. Be prepared with your second Moderna as you might feel rotten for a few hours. I started feeling off after 24 hours, then 12 hours later it disappeared and I felt fine, it was like flicking a switch. It was really weird.[/quote]
I'm already dreading it tbh, I have heard the 2nd can be rough!

I'm really pleased too that we get them on time too, we got off to a slow start but seem to be flying it now.

DramaAlpaca · 20/07/2021 23:27

@Aloethere yes, my 20-something DC only registered a couple of days ago and got their appointments very quickly. But DS2 has had to rearrange his because it clashed with him wanting to go out on the lash Grin

AlexaShutUp · 20/07/2021 23:32

Probably pfizer if I had the choice, but I had two shots of AZ instead and am extremely grateful for it!

I think pfizer is somewhat more effective than AZ. Don't know much about Moderna. We may yet discover that AZ provides longer term protection.

Well done for getting any of them, OP! Good call!

BritinDelco · 21/07/2021 04:39

Pfizer too, bad reaction to both doses, 1st one was the worst.

PrincessNutNuts · 21/07/2021 05:45
  1. Moderna
  1. Pfizer-BioNTech
rwalker · 21/07/2021 06:10

The one the medic say not the one randoms on the internet recomend.

sillyrubberduck · 21/07/2021 06:34

Pfizer

nordica · 21/07/2021 07:21

I deliberately chose a centre that was dosing Moderna.

It's been highly effective in the US studies. Everyone I know has had it has experienced some side effects but only short term, compared to people who had AZ and were ill for a week. I had both doses on a Friday morning and felt back to normal by the Monday, so would recommend booking Friday appointments if you can. Personally I was reassured by side effects, at least I know my immune system has done something and hopefully built up lots of antibodies.

MRex · 21/07/2021 07:38

@IndigoC

Moderna is slightly outperforming Pfizer in the various antibody studies at the moment. I’m early 40s and had it. First dose was a breeze. Sore arm and some transient fatigue. Second dose was different, high grade fever, incredibly painful arm and headache. Took most of a week to feel entirely normal again.

I don’t regret it as I think it’s the pick of the bunch protection wise, although all are question marks with Delta. I’d avoid AZ based on side effect rate and (probable) lower efficacy.

www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.12.21257102v3 In real life studies, AZ appears to take 4 weeks longer to establish immunity, then it has the same efficacy as Pfizer.

OP - I would have happily had any of them, they're all good, just go to the site that's most convenient; if you're taking a son for his too then it'll need to be a centre giving one of the mRNA vaccines. Side effects are often similar, because that's your own immune system responding. Risks with any of them are very minor compared with covid, whereas protection from any of them is great.

eurochick · 21/07/2021 07:49

Originally I wanted AZ as it is based on a more established vaccine technology than the mRNA vaccines. But then the blood clot issue emerged and I would have preferred Pfizer or moderna. But I was offered AZ and happy to take it.

LBB2020 · 21/07/2021 07:49

I’ve had both AZ jabs, no real side effects other than being a little tired and achy arm after the second jab. I’m happy to be fully vaccinated! DH has had his first Pfizer jab and only had an achy arm.
Given the choice I’d probably go for Pfizer but as I say, I’m just glad I’m vaccinated Smile

Grellbunt · 21/07/2021 07:50

Those who had a choice - you're very lucky.

brokenhairband · 21/07/2021 07:55

I had moderna and would recommend. First jab no side effects other than sore arm (couldn’t lift it up), was worried about second but just felt a little off colour in the evening (and that may have been overthinking) and totally fine since. Arm sore after second but not as much as for first.

Carycy · 21/07/2021 07:59

I had Pfizer and husband had AstraZeneca. I was more ill. I am glad we had different ones though. I would get a different one to your partner if have kids in case of any long term issues.
To be honest I would rather have AstraZeneca as it is an older tried and tested style of vaccine. I was uncomfortable with getting Pfizer but did it anyway.

RumblyMumbly · 21/07/2021 08:25

@YellowClouds was it the nightclubs that changed your mind, are you dusting off your dancing shoes? Grin

I had AZ, no ill effects from either jab, relieved to have protection - and a jab that can be cheaply and easily rolled out to the world.

None of us know which will fare best long term, but all of them are going to give you protection against a growing risk of catching Covid.

Problem100 · 21/07/2021 08:43

Pfizer

User4248035893 · 21/07/2021 09:11

100% Pfizer.

Moderna is excellent as well however it contains a higher load of the material that triggers your body to make spike proteins. Anecdotally from friends who have had it, the side effects were a bit stronger. Since both mRNA vaccines have a near-identical rate of protection, it makes sense to go for the one with less side effects.

MissDollyMix · 21/07/2021 09:13

Dh and I had Moderna (we had no choice, we just took what we were given) Neither of us have had any side effects except for a sore arm with either jab. I am pleased we had Moderna just because we plan to travel to the USA as soon as we are able to and I’m hopeful that Moderna will be widely recognised out there (if we need to prove vaccinated status to gain access to anything) That said, I would have been happy with any of them. My colleague (who also had Moderna) had a strong preference for AZ because she felt it was tried and trusted technology and would be prove to be more effective in the long run. As so many have had AZ in this country, I really hope she’s right!

vodkaredbullgirl · 21/07/2021 09:15

Pfizer, hardly any side effects only a dead arm for 24 hours.

BertieBotts · 21/07/2021 09:17

Johnson as it's only one injection. I hate needles! Bothers me much more than the risk of side effects.

Verite1 · 21/07/2021 09:23

Why are some people saying “what the medics say?”. You can’t just ring up a “medic” and ask what they recommend. You get what you are given unless you are lucky enough to have walk ins that have a particular vaccine so you know in advance. For what it’s worth I had AZ but would have chosen Pfizer or moderna mainly due to blood clot risk. I actually think AZ may give better immunity over time.

TheRealMrsMorningstar · 21/07/2021 09:32

42 here and had AZ - had a bad reaction to the first dose -.severe headache, blurred vision, pins and needles (nothing at all happened with second). DH (50) had AZ - felt a little rough after first dose but fine after second and DD(18) had Pfizer absolutely fine with both doses - no side effects. Both DH and DD have had confirmed covid this year (pre jabs) and I suspected I had it last year (when they were only testing if you had beem to China etc) - I had lasting effects from whatever it was for 6 months and still have flair ups now Sad . Anyway, I digress, given the choice I would have had Pfizer.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 21/07/2021 09:39

I'm 46 and wasn't gonna have the AZ vaccine ever but too old to be gettiing Pfizer or Moderna by default.

so I waited to see if I get lucky to find a pop-up centre and I was.
my kids' school passed on an open invite from a nearby Uni a month ago. they had 4000 Pfizer jabs available (1st or 2nd dose) to anyone over 18. just had to turn up with NHS number.

result!!
had sore arm for a week, overtired for about 2 that's it. already booked in for 2nd dose mid-August