Can I demand AZ vaccine at 33

kimlo · 16/01/2022 16:49

first or booster?

If it's your first and you can find a clinic thats doing them you could go and tell them why you want it. They might give it. Or you could wait for novavax to start being used. No idea how long that'll be though.

Boosters are normally mrna unless theres a medical reason why you can't have pfizer or moderna.

dementedpixie · 16/01/2022 16:52

Is this your first vaccine or a subsequent one?
Is AZ not a newer type of vaccine too?

Brunilde · 16/01/2022 16:54

Not in our area. There is a very limited supply so they will only give to those that cannot have the others. This has to be confirmed and booked in a specific way by the GP

Thirtytimesround · 16/01/2022 16:56

AZ is not older than Pfizer - well a couple of months maybe, but nothing significant.

The government now seems reluctant to give AZ because it has killed some people with blood clots. A very small percentage, but still 78 people I think. The government will not say why they are pushing everyone at Pfizer over AZ but it’s pretty obvious if you look at the AZ stats.

And no you can’t “demand” any particular vaccine.

Bobholll · 16/01/2022 17:25

No you can’t. There isn’t much AZ left in the UK now & it’ll be held for second doses & those who cannot have Pfizer or Moderna due to allergies etc.

AZ has also been shown to be far less effecting against in the real world. Immunity wains much faster & it’s far less effective against omicron. I can see why they aren’t bothering with it anymore!

What exactly do you think the mRNA vaccines are going to do? Put a 5G chip in you? 😂

Waxonwaxoff0 · 16/01/2022 17:27

You can't request a specific vaccine for a non medical related reason. No one is getting AZ now unless they cannot have Pfizer or Moderna for medical reasons.

Gunpowder · 16/01/2022 17:31

Just to defend the OP I think she means older as in its based on older/more traditional research rather than being an MRNA vaccine.

When I booked my booster you could see which vaccines each clinic was offering. I would look for one offering AZ and then call and explain what your thoughts are and ask if they can accommodate you.

ollyollyoxenfree · 16/01/2022 17:34

@Indigofig

I have been told by my local surgery that I can only have Pfizer or Moderna due to my age, but I don't want an mRNA vaccine and I prefer an older more researched vaccine. Could anyone advise on this? Thanks

Can I ask what makes you want to be vaccinated, but not want an mRNA one @Indigofig?

Based on data from many many people worldwide, it's been established that that Pfizer/Moderna is the most suitable for people in this age bracket, which is why they're recommended instead of AZ.

Original poster

Indigofig · 16/01/2022 18:16

As it is still undergoing clinical trials I would prefer a more established and non mRNA vaccine. I have had covid (delta) already but I'm concerned about falling pregnant and harming my baby. This would be a first vaccine and due to catching covid twice, 3 bereavements and recovering from an operation recently I haven't been able to get a vaccine. So before some of you get on your judgemental high horse and start throwing wild accusations of 5G conspiracy theories, stop being a troll.

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Original poster

Indigofig · 16/01/2022 18:17

That should say delta and omicron

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Youngatheart00 · 16/01/2022 18:18

It’s safe. There’s no way they would have released it if it wasn’t. AZ isn’t routinely offered anymore due to lower efficacy. Just take what you’re given and feel safer knowing you’re protected from serious illness!

Original poster

Indigofig · 16/01/2022 18:19

@Gunpowder

Just to defend the OP I think she means older as in its based on older/more traditional research rather than being an MRNA vaccine.

When I booked my booster you could see which vaccines each clinic was offering. I would look for one offering AZ and then call and explain what your thoughts are and ask if they can accommodate you.

Thank you, that is what I meant. I phoned a clinic offering delta, however, they said I couldn't have it. I didn't explain my reasons, but I may try this and see if it makes a difference. Thank you!

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dementedpixie · 16/01/2022 18:20

AZ isn't as effective and the risk:benefit ratio is worse in under 40s.

Original poster

Indigofig · 16/01/2022 18:21

I don't want the other two vaccines, so do not come on this post berate me or try and convince me otherwise.

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UnmentionedElephantDildo · 16/01/2022 18:24

Genetically modifying a chimp adenovirus to carry part of the sequence of a pathogen isn't really an older/traditional type of vaccine. But like the mRNA ones it has been properly tested

Mossstitch · 16/01/2022 18:25

Actually I read a very recent research article that suggested the reason we have had fewer deaths from omicron than in europe is because so many older people had AZ and they suspect it has a longer/stronger TCell response. I got AZ from my GP in December but it was my second and recommended due to allergies and I'm well over 40 so can't comment on whether you would be able to get it at 33. I suggest emailing your GP which is how I got it.

BigotSpigot · 16/01/2022 18:28

I think you will struggle to find one. I also wanted AZ over Pfizer, and deliberately went to a centre offering it and not the others (this was earlier in the year). However, I unfortunately reacted very badly to both doses and have new diagnoses now. I may have been better off with a different vaccine.

titchy · 16/01/2022 18:31

@Indigofig

As it is still undergoing clinical trials I would prefer a more established and non mRNA vaccine. I have had covid (delta) already but I'm concerned about falling pregnant and harming my baby. This would be a first vaccine and due to catching covid twice, 3 bereavements and recovering from an operation recently I haven't been able to get a vaccine. So before some of you get on your judgemental high horse and start throwing wild accusations of 5G conspiracy theories, stop being a troll.

mRNA vaccines are NOT still under trial at all. That's a myth perpetuates by anti-vaxxers. Get the one you're given. Covid far worse for any baby you may fall pregnant with than a vaccine with known technology that literally billions have had.

ItsSnowJokes · 16/01/2022 18:32

If you feel this strongly OP you may have to hold on for Novavax, however god knows how long approval will take (I took part in the clinical trials for Novavax) as they have been saying for weeks and months it will be soon. They have finally applied for MRHA approval so it could come soon, however, there is no guarantee that the government will offer it for 1st and 2nd vaccines. They have 60 mil doses on order, so they could offer it as a booster, although I have a feeling they may offer it for children but that's pure conjecture on my part.

I would be very, very surprised if A) you can find anywhere with stock of it that isn't essential marked for very specific patients and B) they will give it to you as it would be against the guidance as you are under 40.

So your choices are take Pfizer or Moderna or take that gamble and wait for Novavax.

ollyollyoxenfree · 16/01/2022 18:36

@Indigofig

As it is still undergoing clinical trials I would prefer a more established and non mRNA vaccine. I have had covid (delta) already but I'm concerned about falling pregnant and harming my baby. This would be a first vaccine and due to catching covid twice, 3 bereavements and recovering from an operation recently I haven't been able to get a vaccine. So before some of you get on your judgemental high horse and start throwing wild accusations of 5G conspiracy theories, stop being a troll.

All of the coronavirus vaccines have continued follow up periods after the completion of phase III clinical trials, this is standard practise with any new vaccine.

For pregnancy there is also a lot more data on pfizer/moderna, so in terms of safety I'd say it's more established, although plenty of women have had AZ whilst pregnant.

I think you might struggle to access AZ anyway, but you could wait until Novavax is approved here if you are certain on not wanting a vaccine that uses mRNA technology?

Original poster

Indigofig · 20/01/2022 19:47

This was from the WHO website regarding Novavax: Data regarding the safety and efficacy of the use of Novavax (NVX-CoV2373) vaccine in pregnant women is not yet available.

I am still looking for pregnancy and AZ.

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maddy68 · 20/01/2022 19:56

AZ vaccines are banned in most countries for under 55s I would definitely go for one of the others.

Rainbowsandstorms · 20/01/2022 20:04

As far as I’m aware AZ efficiency against omicron is very low so wouldn’t be suitable as a first vaccination without medical reason. I’m in my 30s and had AZ as my primary two doses. Look carefully at the risk of blood clots for this age group, there was a reason why it’s no longer recommended for under 40s. The type of clots it can cause are very serious ones and not comparable to those caused by the pill the risk is higher for younger people and females too, in some EU contraries who vaccinated younger health care workers with AZ the risk of these clots were thought to be about 1 in 20,000 in the UK it was acknowledged to be more than 1 in 50,000 and there were around 10 deaths in the age 30 to 40 year olds. Obviously the AZ vaccination has prevented lots of deaths but the risk v benefits for our age group was very finely balanced. For these two reasons I would go with one of the mRNA vaccinations though I do understand why on the face of it you may prefer AZ.

CaramelWaferAndTea · 20/01/2022 20:16

For practical purposes OP you will need to have it prescribed so outwith the directive most are given. I think your best bet would be a vaccination centre in a big centre. If london perhaps st Thomas’s.

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 20/01/2022 20:21

Rainbows

I think parts of your post are misleading:

You give the risk of clots for the vaccine, but not for the disease
(BMJ said it's 10x more likely with the disease, other peer reviewed papers at a similar margin)

You give the number of deaths for the disease by not for the vaccine
(For the disease it's about 800 women aged 30-40, for the vaccine it's single figures)