Pfizer versus AZ Vaccine.

I suspect AZ is being sent to third world countries because it is cheaper and more easily transported so it makes sense for our booster to be Pfizer.

I looked for this info yesterday for myself, this is the one I found, from the ONS. In line with what you said Alegrias1*, and goes into some detail on mortality. I honestly think people are looking for a sinister reason for AZ not being used when there isn’t one, I don’t understand why.
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/deathsinvolvingcovid19byvaccinationstatusengland/deathsoccurringbetween2januaryand2july2021

Here we go.

Protection against infection with AZ is about 67% after four or five months. With Pfizer its about 74% after 6 months. This is from the Zoe study, reported by the BBC.

So a bit more likely to get infected if you got the AZ, but not enough to say it's the AZ-vaccinated people who are getting infected.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58322882

MayBee70

Thanks. That makes me wonder if people that are being infected are ones that had the AZ vaccine.

Sorry, I just had to jump in here MayBee70.

Its just really not on to even speculate about this. All the vaccines we have are super-effective and I'm going off to find out some figures about it. It is not right to make anybody think that having the AZ vaccine means you are going to get infected and having any of the others doesn't.

Off to find the figures!

Thanks. That makes me wonder if people that are being infected are ones that had the AZ vaccine.

MayBe70 I had the AZ, second one end of May. Had Covid in August.

BlueSky

I guess I won’t need the booster having recently tested positive to Covid despite being double jabbed and careful. Trying to find an answer before being called. Perhaps it’ll need a certain time gap, wonder whether the GP would know? Wouldn’t want to be over jabbed, with the flu jab and pneumonia as well!

Can I ask which vaccine you had? You won’t be called up for your booster till 6 months after your last jab so hopefully you’ll be fully recovered by then. I’ve booked my flu jab for two weeks time. I had a pneumonia one last year so won’t need another although it was done privately and doesn’t cover me for as much as the NHS one does. Which was annoying as I thought it would be the same as the NHS one. I didn’t want to go to our surgery at the time and felt safer going to a small branch of Boots. I don’t fancy having a flu and covid jab at the same time.

BlueSky

I guess I won’t need the booster having recently tested positive to Covid despite being double jabbed and careful. Trying to find an answer before being called. Perhaps it’ll need a certain time gap, wonder whether the GP would know? Wouldn’t want to be over jabbed, with the flu jab and pneumonia as well!

Interesting question, Bluesky

Should we have antibody tests if we think or know we have had Covid and been double vaccinated? Would we need a booster jab if our antibodies are high?

nanna8

I’m awaiting the comments eagerly. There is a feeling here that the az is lower quality. That is what we over 60 s were offered, no choice but it is hard to sort out facts from spin and I really don’t know.

I think the rumours in Australia and other countries about AZ have been terrible be blooming glad we ve got what we ve got and think of all the countries that haven’t had a look in yet
Bluebelle and nanna8
It wasn't just rumours or feelings - it was the Chief Medical Officer of Queensland who stated publicly that she was not at all happy with the AZ vaccine and therefore made a lot of people, especially younger people, very nervous.

I had Pfizer, one aged 65, one aged 66 (got my 2nd jab on my birthday!), because that was what the centre was giving on my appointment day.

I was grateful to get AZ and it seems immunity lasts longer than with Pfizer.

Which country are you in Calendargirl? Do you know why they are dumping AZ?

I’ll take whatever is offered, I had AZ at the beginning of the year and was glad to get it.

I guess I won’t need the booster having recently tested positive to Covid despite being double jabbed and careful. Trying to find an answer before being called. Perhaps it’ll need a certain time gap, wonder whether the GP would know? Wouldn’t want to be over jabbed, with the flu jab and pneumonia as well!

I’m just trying to get some understanding of the politics behind it all. I’d love to have a conversation with the people behind the AZ vaccine to see what they really think of the dominance of Pfizer.

I'd take whatever vaccine offerred anyway as getting covid would be worse, just had hoped it would be AZ

It is surprising, especially as the Pfizer one has storage problems as well as being much more expensive than the AZ one.

There was a study to attempt to establish whether a different booster to the original ones would give a better immune response, but then that wouldn’t explain this recent decision as a large number of people had the Pfizer one originally.

I was surprised that the decision wasn’t questioned or discussed on the tv news last night.

It will probably be covered in today’s newspapers though.

After saying that you could not mix vaccines it now seems just what they intend to do.

Things move on.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57636356

When all the vaccines were new, there was no research on mixing vaccine doses so they said don't do it, because we don't have any research. Now they do.

If you are concerned VioletSky discuss it with your doctor rather than taking anecdotal advice second hand.
I would image the AZ might be the one sent abroad because the refrigeration requirements are easier for countries to accommodate than Pfizer.

vegansrock

Too much emphasis on pharmaceutical companies - what company makes the flu vaccine?

This - we happily take the flu vaccine every year with no concern about its effectiveness, side effects, technology or manufacturer.

Take what we're given and be grateful.

I think it worried me as I have Graves which is an autoimmune condition that upsets all your hormones. I had a really bad time with it and I am hoping to be in remission soon and worried that something could set it off again of we are having vaccines long term

Too much emphasis on pharmaceutical companies - what company makes the flu vaccine?

I have 2 friends who claim this MayBeMaw one said the doctor backed her up and that there is research being done into it because there were many cases...

I'll take it with a pinch of salt though, I tend to take things at face value

The AZ had bad publicity from the beginning, particularly abroad. People refused to have it and left the vaccination centre when told they would have the AZ, terrified at the thought of blood clots. In some countries it was then given to the older age group, as deemed less safe for younger people. We had it with no side effects whatsoever but obviously a bit nervous at the thought. After saying that you could not mix vaccines it now seems just what they intend to do.

I am concerned because we had the Astra Zeneca vaccines. But the booster are not AZ I don’t like the idea of mixing the medication.

I had the Pfizer, my similarly aged friend had the AZ at the same time, neither of us had any side effects, and as a non-scientist I am happy to follow medical advice as I have done all my life and ignore all this ill-informed speculation.