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Original poster

Chosing your vaccine

15 replies

MoiraQueen · 27/04/2022 08:47

My Dad is 83, has 3 vaccines on board all Pfizer, he's recently been very ill in hospital, although home now. He's been called for another booster, the problem is he is only being offered Moderna, but a couple of family members have had quite bad reactions to Moderna so he is refusing it. He would happily have Pfizer again. I've taken him to a couple of vaccine clinics and they've said he can't choose, they have Pfizer but it is reserved for children.
He has spoken to the vaccine clinic who have been clear that he is safer with Moderna than risking getting covid, but he is so worried about it.
Not sure what to do, any suggestions?

OP posts:
Original poster
MoiraQueen · 27/04/2022 08:48

*Choosing fgs🤦‍♂️

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 27/04/2022 08:53

I had moderna with no issues as did my dd. I heard horror stories of reactions but felt fine apart from the usual tender arm. Just because others have a reaction doesn't mean he will too.

sanityisamyth · 27/04/2022 08:53

Studies show a better antibody response with a different vaccine given as a booster compared to the first and second doses. Moderna is being used as a booster in most centres and it's safe and providing a good response. It'll be fine.

dementedpixie · 27/04/2022 08:54

My mum just got her 2nd booster yesterday and it was also moderna

Original poster
MoiraQueen · 27/04/2022 09:12

Moderna is being used as a booster in most centres and it's safe and providing a good response. It'll be fine.

I'm not really asking for experiences of Moderna, I know statistically he will be fine (although one relative's response to it was extreme, so he is aware of it maybe not being fine). It's probably not helped by me having a terrible time with AZ.

But he is 83 has been very ill recently, he doesn't want to risk a reaction. I was more looking for advice as to whether it is possible to choose a vaccine, even privately. He won't take Moderna.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 27/04/2022 09:15

They arent available privately. No you don't normally get a choice as to which you get as it depends what they have at the vaccination centre and which age group they are being prioritised for.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 27/04/2022 09:17

I had AZ AZ Moderna.

All 3 wiped me out for a week. They were all horrible, but no difference in level of horribleness.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 27/04/2022 09:19

It's not possible to get the vaccines privately. It is possible that he would be able to persuade a clinic that is vaccinating 12+ children to use up the last Pfizer dose in the vial for him, rather than wasting it, at the end of the vaccination session.

He's misguided about Moderna though. It has a similar side effect profile to Pfizer and mixing the vaccines gives enhanced protection.

parisyplease · 27/04/2022 09:22

It sounds like he'll have to have Moderna if he's to have his booster at all so what about helping to plan around that to ease his mind? Eg, for 2-3 days after have someone to check on with him regularly in case he's feeling side effects, have a plan of who could give him a lift to GP/A&E if he's feeling ill, or cash on hand and reliable taxi numbers etc. Have easy to eat food & painkillers in etc, so he knows he'll still be ok even if he does have a bad reaction.

Original poster
MoiraQueen · 27/04/2022 09:26

He's misguided about Moderna though. It has a similar side effect profile to Pfizer and mixing the vaccines gives enhanced protection.

I know. But when it's a choice between him having Pfizer or no vaccine, I'd rather he had the Pfizer. He is very stubborn and won't be persuaded.

Interesting point about him going at the end of a session though, that might be worth a look, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
MoiraQueen · 27/04/2022 09:28

He has my Mum to look after him (god help her, he's not the easiest), she is quite a bit younger, so that's not an issue as such. I don't live nearby.

OP posts:
PAFMO · 27/04/2022 09:31

My friend insisted on having Pfizer X 3 as her first two had been p

CarParkHell · 27/04/2022 09:32

I was told at our vaccine centre they use Moderna all day and then Pfizer at the end of the day as there are fewer doses in a Pfizer vial so none gets wasted

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 27/04/2022 11:09

MoiraQueen · 27/04/2022 09:26

He's misguided about Moderna though. It has a similar side effect profile to Pfizer and mixing the vaccines gives enhanced protection.

I know. But when it's a choice between him having Pfizer or no vaccine, I'd rather he had the Pfizer. He is very stubborn and won't be persuaded.

Interesting point about him going at the end of a session though, that might be worth a look, thank you.

Ah I see. You may need to do a bit of snooping to find out where they are vaccinating the 12-18s locally and then try to appeal to the Dr or pharmacist in charge on his behalf.

I have done a bit of eyebrow raising and "please just humour her" mouthing behind my 83 yo DM's back to get HCPs onside. I'm not wildly comfortable with infantilising her or having to do this at all - all healthcare encounters should be patient-centred - but we are where we are, and we do what we need to do to look after our older folk. Good luck.

2022calendar · 27/04/2022 13:53

i specifically wanted pfizer as had relations who had adverse reaction to moderna ...in my local area they have a website that you can go on and it shows what vaccines are being offered at what clinics so i just booked accordingly. Maybe do a search for your local ccgs ,it may have links to a similar local info/booking site. There are always a proportion of older folks who refuse to get flu jabs after previous adverse reactions so personally I think they should be as flexible as possible for people like your Dad.

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